Intel Xeon E5-2678 v3

The Intel Xeon E5-2678 v3 is a 12-core, 24-thread Haswell-EP processor aimed at the Server/Workstation segment. It uses Intel Socket 2011-3, has a 2.50 GHz base clock and a 3.30 GHz boost clock, and is built on Intel’s 22 nm process with 2,600 million transistors on a 356 mm² die. The cache hierarchy consists of 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, plus 30 MB of shared L3. In the benchmark database, it records an average score of 3605 and sits at the 58th percentile among all CPUs.

Benchmark Performance

Benchmark results are available from three Cinebench versions. In Cinebench R15, the E5-2678 v3 scores 1256 multi-core and 177 single-core. In Cinebench R20, it scores 5235 multi-core and 738 single-core. In Cinebench R23, it scores 12465 multi-core and 1759 single-core. These numbers show a chip designed for throughput; the multi-core figures consistently exceed the single-core figures by a wide margin, which is expected given 12 cores and 24 threads. The 30 MB shared L3 and 68.3 GB/s memory bandwidth provide the data path for that thread load.

Looking at aggregate scores, the E5-2678 v3 averages 3605. Its nearest rivals are tightly bunched. The AMD Ryzen 7 2700E averages 3603, putting the Xeon 0.1% ahead. The AMD Ryzen 5 5625U averages 3610, putting the Xeon 0.1% behind. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 1700 averages 3613, a 0.2% deficit. The Intel Xeon E-2286G averages 3614, also a 0.2% deficit. The spread among the rival scores runs from 3603 to 3614, so the E5-2678 v3 sits inside a group separated by tenths of a percent. At the 58th percentile, it is not an extreme performer, but its aggregate position is far from the bottom of the database.

Power and Thermals

The E5-2678 v3 carries a 120W TDP. For a 12-core Haswell-EP Xeon on 22 nm, 120W is the thermal envelope that cooling must handle. The die is 356 mm², which spreads heat over a relatively large area. As a result, a capable air cooler is generally enough for a workstation build; there is no need for extreme liquid cooling at this TDP. However, sustained all-core loading will push the package toward that 120W limit. Chassis airflow still matters, particularly in a server chassis with dense component layouts.

Because the platform supports quad-channel DDR3 and DDR4 with 68.3 GB/s of bandwidth, memory-intensive workloads can stress the surrounding memory subsystem, but the CPU’s own cooling requirement is set by the 120W TDP. The 22 nm process is older, so the efficiency is not comparable to a modern high-core-count part; the 120W figure is the reference number for selecting a cooler. For compact or low-profile systems, a cooler rated for the 120W class should be considered. The 120W TDP places this chip in the mid-range air-cooler tier rather than the low-power embedded tier.

Platform and Compatibility

The E5-2678 v3 uses Intel Socket 2011-3, the platform for the Xeon E5 (Haswell-EP) generation. It supports DDR3 and DDR4 memory through a quad-channel controller with 68.3 GB/s of bandwidth. ECC memory is supported, which is an important feature for workstation stability. A system board for this socket must be matched to the memory type because the chip itself is listed for both DDR3 and DDR4.

On the PCIe side, the CPU offers Gen 3 connectivity with 40 lanes from the CPU only. That is a high lane count for a server/workstation chip, allowing multiple accelerators or storage controllers. There is no integrated graphics listed, so display output requires an add-in graphics solution. The multiplier is locked, meaning overclocking is not a supported path. The part number is SR20Z, and production status is end-of-life.

The platform and compatibility picture is important for upgrades. Since the chip is end-of-life and uses an older socket, a new CPU would mean either another Socket 2011-3 Haswell-EP Xeon or moving to a different platform entirely. The market segment is listed as Server/Workstation, so this is not a consumer desktop part by design, but its memory and PCIe features make it suitable for workstation-class builds.

How It Compares

AMD Ryzen 7 2700E: The Ryzen 7 2700E has an average score of 3603. Against the E5-2678 v3’s 3605, the deltaPct is 0.1. In aggregate terms, the Xeon is one-tenth of a percent ahead, so the two are effectively tied.

AMD Ryzen 5 5625U: The Ryzen 5 5625U posts an average score of 3610. The deltaPct is -0.1, meaning the Xeon trails this rival by one-tenth of a percent. The aggregate gap is negligible.

AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 1700: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 1700 scores 3613 on average, with a deltaPct of -0.2 against the Xeon. The E5-2678 v3 is 0.2% behind, which places both chips in the same performance band.

Intel Xeon E-2286G: The Intel Xeon E-2286G scores 3614 on average, also a -0.2 deltaPct relative to the E5-2678 v3. The E-2286G leads by 0.2%, but the aggregate difference is minor. All four rivals sit within 0.2% of this Xeon in either direction.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

Across Cinebench, the single-thread and multi-thread scores tell a consistent story. In R15, the E5-2678 v3 scores 177 single-core and 1256 multi-core. In R20, it scores 738 single-core and 5235 multi-core. In R23, it scores 1759 single-core and 12465 multi-core. The multi-core numbers are much higher, which is the signature of a high-core-count Xeon. The single-core numbers, by contrast, are limited by the 3.30 GHz boost clock and the Haswell architecture. At the 2.50 GHz base clock, lightly threaded tasks will run at a moderate speed. This makes the E5-2678 v3 better suited to workloads that can use many threads.

The behavioral split matters when comparing to rivals. The nearest rivals are all close in average score, but aggregate parity can hide different single-thread and multi-thread profiles. For all-core rendering or encoding, the 12-core/24-thread E5-2678 v3 will use its full resource set. For quick, lightly threaded tasks, the single-core scores are the better predictor. A builder who mostly runs parallel workloads can focus on the multi-core results; a user with mostly single-threaded applications should not expect the aggregate score to reflect a snappy feel.

FAQ

Q: What is the TDP of the Intel Xeon E5-2678 v3?

A: The TDP is 120W.

Q: Does it support ECC memory?

A: Yes, ECC memory is supported.

Q: What memory types and bus does it use?

A: It supports DDR3 and DDR4, with a quad-channel memory bus and 68.3 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: How many PCIe lanes are available from the CPU?

A: The CPU provides 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, from the CPU only.

Q: Can the multiplier be adjusted for overclocking?

A: No, multiplierUnlocked is false, so the multiplier is locked.

Q: What are the Cinebench R23 scores?

A: The single-core score is 1759 and the multi-core score is 12465.