Intel Xeon E5-4640 v3

Intel Xeon E5-4640 v3 is a 12-core, 24-thread Haswell-EP server processor on the Intel Socket 2011-3 platform, built on a 22 nm process with 2,600 million transistors and a 356 mm² die. It operates at a 1900.00 MHz base clock with a 2.60 GHz boost, carries 30 MB of shared L3 cache, and supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth. The benchmark data places this part at the 51st percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 2550, positioning it as a mid-pack processor in the current database.

Benchmark Performance

The E5-4640 v3's average benchmark score of 2550 places it in a tightly contested cluster of rivals, with deltas no larger than 0.6% in either direction. Against the Intel Xeon E-2244G (avgScore 2547), the E5-4640 v3 leads by just 0.1%, a margin that is statistically insignificant in real-world workloads. The picture is nearly identical versus the Intel Xeon E5-1650 v3 (avgScore 2554), where the E5-4640 v3 trails by 0.2%, and against the Intel Core i7-9850HE (avgScore 2559), it lags by 0.4%. The largest gap appears against the Intel Core i5-9600 (avgScore 2535), where the E5-4640 v3 holds a 0.6% advantage. These deltas indicate that despite having 12 cores and 24 threads, the E5-4640 v3 does not separate itself from lower-core-count competitors in aggregate scoring; the average score blends single-thread and multi-thread results, masking the architectural differences.

Looking at specific Cinebench results reveals the character of the chip. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the E5-4640 v3 scores 888 points, while its single-core score is 125 points. For Cinebench R20, the multi-core result is 3702 and single-core is 522. In the more recent Cinebench R23, the multi-core score reaches 8816, with a single-core score of 1244. The ratio between multi-core and single-core scores in R23 is approximately 7.1, which is typical for a 12-core/24-thread part with a relatively modest boost clock. However, the absolute multi-core numbers are not exceptional for the core count; this is reflected in the near-parity with the 4-core Xeon E-2244G and 6-core Core i5-9600, suggesting that the E5-4640 v3's lower clock speeds (1900.00 MHz base, 2.60 GHz boost) cap its throughput despite the extra cores.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The data shows a pronounced split between single-thread and multi-thread performance, which has direct implications for workload suitability. In Cinebench R23, the single-core score of 1244 is modest, and the multi-core score of 8816 is strong relative to that single-core baseline. The ratio of multi-core to single-core performance (8816 / 1244 ≈ 7.1) is close to the theoretical maximum for 12 cores if scaling were perfect, but in practice, the low boost clock of 2.60 GHz limits per-thread responsiveness. This means the E5-4640 v3 excels in heavily parallel workloads like rendering, scientific simulation, or virtualized server environments where all 24 threads can be saturated. Conversely, in lightly threaded tasks such as interactive database queries, single-threaded application logic, or legacy software that uses one or two cores, the processor will feel sluggish compared to rivals with higher clock speeds.

The Cinebench R20 results reinforce this behavior: single-core at 522 points and multi-core at 3702 points yield a ratio of about 7.1, nearly identical to R23. This consistency across benchmark versions indicates that the scaling efficiency is stable and not an artifact of a single test. For real-world deployments, this split suggests that the E5-4640 v3 is best suited for batch processing, compile farms, or virtualization hosts where thread count matters more than per-core speed. Workloads that are latency-sensitive or require high single-thread throughput, like real-time analytics or front-end web servers, would likely see better performance from a higher-clocked part, even one with fewer cores, as evidenced by the near-parity in average score with the Core i5-9600.

Power and Thermals

The E5-4640 v3 carries a TDP of 105 watts, which classifies it as a moderate-power server processor for its era and core count. This TDP, combined with a 22 nm process node from Intel, means the chip does not require extreme cooling solutions. A capable air cooler with a reasonable heatsink should suffice for most server chassis, given that the 105-watt envelope is well within the range of standard 1U or 2U server coolers designed for similar Xeon processors. The 1900.00 MHz base clock keeps power draw relatively low during sustained all-core loads, while the 2.60 GHz boost will increase heat output but only when fewer threads are active or when thermal headroom allows. The die size of 356 mm² and 2,600 million transistors suggest a dense layout, but the conservative clock speeds help maintain thermal stability. For workstation use, the 105-watt TDP implies that a mid-tower with decent airflow will handle the chip easily, and the lack of an integrated GPU means all thermal dissipation goes through the CPU cooler. The memory controller's 59.7 GB/s bandwidth and quad-channel DDR4 support add negligible heat, so the primary thermal consideration remains the CPU under sustained multi-threaded loads, where the 12 cores will generate sustained heat but not beyond the 105-watt specification.

FAQ

Q: What is the average benchmark score of the Intel Xeon E5-4640 v3?

A: The average benchmark score is 2550, placing it at the 51st percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Q: How does the E5-4640 v3 compare to the Intel Xeon E-2244G in average score?

A: The E5-4640 v3 leads the E-2244G by 0.1%, with scores of 2550 versus 2547, respectively.

Q: What are the single-core and multi-core scores in Cinebench R23?

A: In Cinebench R23, the multi-core score is 8816 and the single-core score is 1244.

Q: Does the E5-4640 v3 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, ECC memory is supported, and the processor uses quad-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s.

Q: What is the TDP and what cooling tier does it imply?

A: The TDP is 105 watts, which implies a standard air cooler is sufficient; no exotic liquid cooling is required for a server or workstation chassis.

Q: What is the production status and launch MSRP?

A: The production status is end-of-life, and the launch MSRP is $2859.

How It Compares

Intel Xeon E-2244G: The E5-4640 v3 edges out the E-2244G by 0.1% in average score (2550 vs 2547). This is a remarkable result given that the E-2244G has far fewer cores and threads, but the delta is within noise. The E5-4640 v3's 12 cores provide a multi-threaded advantage, yet the E-2244G's higher clocks likely close the gap in single-threaded workloads, making the overall scores nearly identical.

Intel Xeon E5-1650 v3: The E5-4640 v3 trails the E5-1650 v3 by 0.2% (2550 vs 2554). Both are Haswell-EP parts on the same socket, but the E5-1650 v3 has fewer cores and a higher clock, which appears to offset the core-count deficit. The delta is negligible, suggesting that for most applications, choosing between these two is a matter of workload-specific threading needs rather than raw performance.

Intel Core i7-9850HE: The i7-9850HE leads the E5-4640 v3 by 0.4% (2559 vs 2550). This is a 6-core embedded processor, and its higher boost clock and newer architecture (though not specified in the fact pack) evidently compensate for having half the cores. The E5-4640 v3 would win in heavily threaded scenarios, but the i7-9850HE is clearly superior in single-threaded tasks, as the average score slightly favors it.

Intel Core i5-9600: The E5-4640 v3 outperforms the i5-9600 by 0.6% (2550 vs 2535). The i5-9600 is a 6-core desktop part with no hyper-threading, and the E5-4640 v3's 24 threads provide a substantial multi-threaded edge. However, the 0.6% delta is still small, indicating that the i5-9600's higher clock speeds keep it competitive in single-threaded and lightly threaded workloads, while the E5-4640 v3 pulls ahead only when all cores are fully utilized.