Intel Xeon E5-2640 v3

The Intel Xeon E5-2640 v3 is an 8-core, 16-thread Haswell-EP processor built for the server/workstation segment. It runs at a 2.60 GHz base clock and a 3.40 GHz boost clock, with a 90W TDP. The chip was manufactured on Intel's 22 nm process and is now listed as end-of-life. In the benchmark database, it records an average score of 2714, which places it in the 52nd percentile of all CPUs.

How It Compares

The E5-2640 v3’s average benchmark score of 2714 is essentially level with the Intel Core 7 160UL, which scores 2715. The deltaPct is 0, so the aggregate data treats the two as performance equivalents. For overall mixed workloads, neither part has a meaningful edge over the other.

Against the Intel Core i7-9750HF, the Xeon is slightly ahead. The Core i7-9750HF scores 2710, and the deltaPct of 0.2 represents a small advantage for the E5-2640 v3. The gap is narrow enough that it is unlikely to show up as a clear win in most real applications, but the benchmark data does put the Xeon on the positive side.

The Intel Core i7-1185G7E moves in front. It scores 2732, and the deltaPct of -0.7 indicates that the Xeon trails by 0.7%. This is still a close margin, but it is the first rival in the nearestRivals list to score above the E5-2640 v3 by a measurable amount.

The strongest nearest rival is the Intel Xeon E-2226G, with an average score of 2740. The deltaPct of -1 means the E5-2640 v3 is 1% behind. That is the largest deficit among the four listed rivals, yet it remains within a 1% band that is best described as a cluster of comparable processors.

Who Should Consider It

The Cinebench results define the chip’s workload profile. In Cinebench R15 it scores 945 multicore and 133 single-core. In Cinebench R20 it scores 3941 multicore and 556 single-core. In Cinebench R23 it scores 9385 multicore and 1325 single-core. Across all three versions, the multicore figure is far larger than the single-core figure, which points to a processor that is best used when many threads are active.

Rendering and threaded content-creation workloads fit this shape. The 8-core, 16-thread configuration, combined with the strong multicore Cinebench results, makes the E5-2640 v3 a reasonable choice for parallel compute tasks where 16 threads can be kept busy. The 20 MB shared L3 cache and ECC-capable DDR4 support reinforce its positioning as a workstation-oriented part.

Office workloads that are largely single-threaded will not highlight its strengths. The single-core scores are modest compared with the multicore results, and the 52nd percentile placement among all CPUs is a mid-pack standing. Gaming similarly depends on high single-thread performance, and the data here does not put this Xeon into that category. The locked multiplier also means clocks stay at the listed 2.60 GHz base and 3.40 GHz boost, so it is not an overclocking part.

Power and Thermals

The E5-2640 v3 is a 90W TDP part. That makes 90W the power-class anchor for any cooling decision. A capable air cooler is the implied tier rather than anything more elaborate.

The 22 nm manufacturing process, 2,600 million transistors, and 356 mm² die size all fit inside that 90W envelope. The TDP is moderate for an 8-core Xeon, and the thermal behavior should follow the power limit rather than exceed it. The data does not indicate a need for exotic cooling.

FAQ

Q: How many cores and threads does the Intel Xeon E5-2640 v3 have?

A: It has 8 cores and 16 threads, with 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core and 20 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What memory does it support?

A: It supports DDR4 over a quad-channel memory bus, with ECC enabled. The listed memory bandwidth is 59.7 GB/s.

Q: How many PCIe lanes does it provide?

A: The CPU provides 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, with the note that these are CPU-only lanes.

Q: Is the multiplier unlocked?

A: No. The multiplier is locked, so the CPU runs at the base clock of 2.60 GHz and the boost clock of 3.40 GHz.

Q: What socket does it use?

A: Intel Socket 2011-3. The processor is built on the Haswell-EP architecture and is listed as end-of-life.

Q: What market segment is it aimed at?

A: Server and workstation, consistent with the Xeon brand, ECC memory support, and the absence of integrated graphics in the data.

Benchmark Performance

The average benchmark score of 2714 places the E5-2640 v3 at the 52nd percentile of all CPUs in the database. Its nearest rivals are all packed tightly around that score. The Core 7 160UL scores 2715 with a deltaPct of 0, meaning there is no measurable difference between the two in the aggregate. The Core i7-9750HF scores 2710, and the deltaPct of 0.2 puts the Xeon slightly ahead. The Core i7-1185G7E scores 2732, with a deltaPct of -0.7, so the Xeon is behind by 0.7%. The Xeon E-2226G scores 2740, with a deltaPct of -1, making it the farthest above the E5-2640 v3 among the listed rivals.

Individual Cinebench scores provide more detail than the aggregate alone. Cinebench R15 multicore is 945 and single-core is 133. Cinebench R20 multicore is 3941 and single-core is 556. Cinebench R23 multicore is 9385 and single-core is 1325. These three separate Cinebench versions consistently show a large multicore advantage over single-core results, which is the core takeaway from the performance data.

The exact deltas against nearest rivals are more informative than any single absolute score. The E5-2640 v3 is statistically tied with the Core 7 160UL, 0.2% ahead of the Core i7-9750HF, 0.7% behind the Core i7-1185G7E, and 1% behind the Xeon E-2226G. None of those gaps describe a dominant win or loss. The processor sits in a dense performance band where small percentage differences separate the entire group.

Platform and Compatibility

The E5-2640 v3 uses Intel Socket 2011-3 and is based on the Haswell-EP architecture. It supports DDR4 memory over a quad-channel bus with ECC enabled, and the listed memory bandwidth is 59.7 GB/s. The CPU itself supplies 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, and integrated graphics is not listed in the data.

The market segment is server/workstation, which aligns with the Xeon branding, ECC support, and the Locked multiplier. The processor is end-of-life, meaning the platform is defined by the existing Socket 2011-3 ecosystem and the memory and PCIe capabilities listed in the data. Its launch MSRP was $939.