The world of computers has changed dramatically over the past few decades. Now, even the most mundane tasks require a hefty dose of processing power. Gone are the days when having a PC at home meant that it was powerful enough to run Microsoft Word.
Nowadays, you need a highly efficient and powerful computer system that can take on video rendering or highly intense video games easily. So, your PC must have a powerful processor for such a great performance.
Processors are the engine of your computer. It is an integral part of a CPU. The processor chip acts like the brain of the PC. Xeon is one of the powerful chipsets that are mostly used in workstations. In this guide, we will review the best Xeon processor along with its pros and cons.
Table of Contents
A Brief History of Intel Xeon: Intel Xeon vs. Core
Intel is the world’s largest vendor providing processors and chipsets for every computer category with a market share of almost 60% as per Statista. It has different series of chips such as Core, Pentium, Xeon, etc.
Intel Xeon Processors were first built for desktop PCs or servers. But when it was tested for gaming, it gave astonishing results. This series consists of high-end processors which provide good gaming performance.
Now, if you want to play your favorite games without any lag, and don’t want to spend some extra bucks, then Xeon CPU is the best fit for you. These Xeon CPUs not only give superb gaming performance but also consume less power.
We have researched the market for finding the best Xeon gaming processors for playing games. So, our team has shortlisted the top 7 Xeon processors. These processors will help make your PC more efficient and capable than ever before. The findings are given below:
Top 7 Xeon Gaming Processors
Intel Xeon E5 2678 V3.Intel Xeon E5 2760 V3.Intel Xeon E5 2690 V3.Intel Xeon E5 2690 V4.Intel Xeon E5 2699 V4.Intel Xeon X5690.Intel Xeon X5687.
1. Intel Xeon E5 2678 V3
Xeon 2678 V3 is a budget-friendly chipset that provides very good gaming performance and excellent multitasking. It is equivalent to 10th generation Core i9 processor.
2678 V3 has a base clocking speed of 2.5 GHz which can go up to 3.1 GHz during Turbo Boost. It also contains 12 cores and 24 threads. Moreover, its cache memory has a 30 MB storage size.
Further details and specifications of the product are given in the following table.
| Features | Availability |
| Socket Type | LGA2011-v3 |
| No. of cores | 12 |
| No. of threads | 24 |
| Designed Architecture | 64-bit |
| Cache Memory | 30 MB |
| Base frequency | 2.5 GHz |
| Turbo frequency | 3.1 GHz |
| Hyperthreading | Yes |
| Max Memory size | 768 GB |
| Thermal Design Power | 120 watt |
| Max Temperature | 66.4° C |
Pros:
- Large number of cores for multitasking.
- Supports Dual CPU feature.
- Low TDP.
Cons:
- Low base frequency.
- No integrated GPU.
2. Intel Xeon E5 2670 V3
The Xeon 2670 V3 is the best low-cost chipset with decent gaming and multitasking capabilities. It’s the same as a Core i9 CPU from Intel.
The standard clocking speed of the 2670 V3 is 2.3 GHz, with Turbo Boost allowing it to reach 3.10 GHz. There are 12 cores and 24 threads in it as well. It also includes a cache memory with a storage capacity of 30 megabytes which prevents unnecessary processing.
The following table contains further information and specs about the product.
| Features | Availability |
| Socket Type | FCLGA2011 |
| No. of cores | 12 |
| No. of threads | 24 |
| Designed Architecture | 64-bit |
| Cache Memory | 30 MB |
| Base frequency | 2.3 GHz |
| Turbo frequency | 3.1 GHz |
| Hyperthreading | Yes |
| Max memory size | 768 GB |
| Thermal Design Power | 120 watt |
| Max Temperature | 80° C |
Pros:
- Good gaming performance.
- Low TDP.
- Hyperthreading and Turbo Boost support.
Cons:
- Low base frequency.
- No dedicated GPU.
3. Intel Xeon E5 2690 V3
The Xeon 2690 V3 is the best-selling processor of its price category. It offers outstanding gaming and multitasking performance.
The 2690 V3 has a base clocking speed of 2.6 GHz, which may be increased to 3.5 GHz when Turbo Boost is enabled. There are also 12 cores and 24 threads in it.
Furthermore, the cache memory has a storage capacity of 30 MB which contributes to providing excellent gaming performance.
The table below contains further product information and specifications.
| Features | Availability |
| Socket Type | FCLGA2011-3 |
| No. of cores | 12 |
| No. of threads | 24 |
| Designed Architecture | 64-bit |
| Cache Memory | 30 MB |
| Base frequency | 2.6 GHz |
| Turbo frequency | 3.5 GHz |
| Hyperthreading | Yes |
| Max memory size | 768 GB |
| Thermal Design Power | 135 watt |
| Max Temperature | 90° C |
Pros:
- Superb performance.
- Greater no. of cores.
- Extra advanced features.
Cons:
- Expensive.
- Struggles in multitasking.
4. Intel Xeon E5 2690 V4
The Xeon 2690 V4 is an upgraded version of the Xeon 2690 V3. It is the best-performing and most expensive processor listed in this guide. It can easily manage any kind of highly extensive application.
This processor gives us superb gaming performance along with extensive multitasking.
It has a base clock speed of 2.6 GHz which can go up to a max of 3.5 GHz during Turbo Boost. Also, It has a core count of 14 and a thread count of 28. Hence, it is a very powerful CPU that helps in smooth gameplay.
The complete specification of this product is given below:
| Features | Availability |
| Socket Type | FCLGA2011-3 |
| No. of cores | 14 |
| No. of threads | 28 |
| Designed Architecture | 64-bit |
| Cache Memory | 30 MB |
| Base frequency | 2.6 GHz |
| Turbo frequency | 3.5 GHz |
| Max memory size | 1.5 TB |
| Hyperthreading | Yes |
| Thermal Design Power | 135 watt |
| Max Temperature | 89° C |
Pros:
- Excellent performance.
- ECC RAM support.
- Greater no. of cores and threads.
Cons:
- Overpriced.
- High temperatures can damage your computer.
5. Intel Xeon E5 2699 V4
The Xeon E5 2699 V4 is another best-performing gaming CPU. It can easily handle extreme gaming and provide a seamless multi-tasking experience.
This processor is designed with a base frequency of 2.2 GHz which can go up to a max of 3.6 GHz due to Turbo Boost. It has greater cache memory than other Xeon CPUs. More precisely, 55 MB. So, your games and heavy software will load and process faster.
Below are the complete features and specs of this particular product:
| Features | Availability |
| Socket Type | FCLGA2011-3 |
| No. of cores | 22 |
| No. of threads | 44 |
| Designed Architecture | 64-bit |
| Cache Memory | 55 MB |
| Base frequency | 2.2 GHz |
| Turbo frequency | 3.6 GHz |
| Max memory size | 1.5 TB |
| Hyperthreading | Yes |
| Thermal Design Power | 145 watt |
| Max Temperature | 79° C |
Pros:
- Extraordinary multitasking support.
- Greater cache memory.
- Above average clock speeds.
Cons:
- Pricey.
- High power consumption.
6. Intel Xeon X5690
The X5690 is also one of the best Xeon CPUs for gaming. It has a very good processing speed along with average multitasking capability. It has quite similar features with the 9th generation Core i7 processor.
This CPU has a base clock speed of 3.46 GHz and can go up to 3.73 GHz during Turbo Boost. It has 6 cores along with 12 MB of cache memory for fast operations.
The full spec sheet of this chip is given as follows:
| Features | Availability |
| Socket Type | FCLGA1366 |
| No. of cores | 6 |
| No. of threads | 12 |
| Designed Architecture | 64-bit |
| Cache Memory | 12 MB |
| Base frequency | 3.46 GHz |
| Turbo frequency | 3.73 GHz |
| Max memory size | 288 GB |
| Hyperthreading | Yes |
| Thermal Design Power | 130 watt |
| Max Temperature | 79° C |
Pros:
- Outstanding processing speeds.
- Low power consumption.
- Support AES.
Cons:
- Mediocre multitasking.
- Low cache memory.
7. Intel Xeon X5687
The X5687 is also one of the best Xeon CPUs that offers an excellent gaming experience. It has a low price as compared to other Xeon CPUs because of less number of cores and low cache memory.
This CPU’s base speed is 3.6 GHz, with Turbo Boost allowing it to increase to 3.9 GHz. It is a quad-core processor and has a cache memory of 12 MB.
The following is the complete spec sheet for this chip:
| Features | Availability |
| Socket Type | FCLGA1366 |
| No. of cores | 4 |
| No. of threads | 8 |
| Designed Architecture | 64-bit |
| Cache Memory | 12 MB |
| Base frequency | 3.6 GHz |
| Turbo frequency | 3.9 GHz |
| Max memory size | 288 GB |
| Hyperthreading | Yes |
| Thermal Design Power | 130 watt |
| Max Temperature | 80.4° C |
Pros:
- Superior processing speeds.
- Low power consumption.
Cons:
- Ordinary multitasking support.
- Very low number of cores and threads.
Advantages of Xeon
As we know, Xeon processors are designed for high-end tasks. Therefore, it is commonly used for military, industrial and commercial purposes. Some of its advantages are as follows:
ECC RAM support: ECC stands for Error Checking and Correction. This type of RAM automatically checks for any kinds of errors to prevent data corruption in the future. After analyzing the possible errors or breakdowns, ECC RAM also rectifies this on its own.
This feature not only makes our data secure but also helps in providing stable performance. Moreover, only Xeon chips have support for ECC RAM.
Greater cache memory: Cache memory contains temporary data which a processor saves during the processing of some applications. Now, the next time, when you open that application again, the processor uses the data stored in the cache memory.
It prevents the re-processing of data and loads applications or games faster.
Now, the Xeon processors have greater cache memory than Intel Core chips. More precisely, 15-30 MB of cache memory depending on the processor, which is almost double as compared to the Core CPU.
Greater Cores: If you are looking for a CPU, that has a greater core count for running applications, then Intel Xeon CPUs are the best choice for you. Because a Xeon CPU has 24 cores, while an Intel Core i9 processor can have a core count of only 18.
Moreover, the cores of a Xeon processor can also be doubled with Hyperthreading or Virtualization.
Durable and rigid: The Xeon Processors are designed to work in extreme conditions for a long period of time. Therefore, an Intel Xeon processor performs much better than the Intel Core processors. Xeon processor can handle high-end tasks and intensive loads with better longevity.
Is Intel Xeon worth buying?
The categorical answer to this question is No. Why is this? Let’s dive deep into it.
Xeon is the high-end processor designed by Intel, which not only gives faster performance but also has some advanced features. These are used for heavy computing in military or industrial workstations.
Some of the advantages of this chip are explained above, which include ECC RAM support, higher cores, greater cache memory, and extra cores due to Hyperthreading. These all features contribute to give us the good performance.
Now, talking about the cons of Intel Xeon processors. These processors can not be overclocked and work at the designed clock speed. Moreover, a Xeon processor has a lower clock speed as compared to an Intel Core processor.
However, they have a large number of cores available which is helpful for servers in smooth multi-tasking.
One more drawback of a Xeon processor is that it can not have an integrated GPU. Integrated GPU can easily handle light games with low power consumption. By having an integrated GPU, you will have an extra PCI slot available. So, you can install a more powerful and efficient graphic card on the motherboards if needed.
Now, after this whole discussion, it is evident that a Xeon processor can give us superb performance when it comes to gaming. But these processors are overpriced. There are lots of other processors that can give similar performance in games at a low price.
For instance, Acer had released a Predator X with Xeon processor in 2018. No doubt, it was a very powerful system and was specifically designed for content creators and extreme gaming enthusiasts. But the price of this system was $9000 which is too much for an individual.
Guide for selecting Gaming Processor
If you are planning to building your gaming PC or looking for upgrading your processor, then this guide is for you. Several factors will be helpful to you in selecting a good gaming processor. These are explained as follows:
- Mobo socket compatibility.
- Processing speed.
- TDP compatibility.
Mobo socket compatibility
It is the socket designated for installing processors on the motherboards. Before selecting a processor, you must be aware of the socket type that your motherboard has for the processor.
So, the new processor you buy is compatible with your current motherboard’s socket type. You should also have full knowledge about the number of cores or threads your motherboard supports.
Processing speed
The performance of a processor is determined by its clock speed or base frequency. The optimal value of base frequency varies with the requirement. In the case of gaming, a processor should have a clock speed of greater than 3.0 GHz.
Also, not all motherboards support Turbo Boost. So, if you are planning to use a processor that can also overclock, then you must check that your motherboard is compatible with it or not. Otherwise, you can not enjoy overclocking feature.
TDP compatibility
Every processor has its own power rating or Thermal Design Power (TDP). TDP is the maximum amount of heat that a processor dissipates during processing. So, your system should have a suitable power supply unit and a proper cooling system that is compatible with your processor specifications.
FAQs
Is a Xeon processor good for gaming?
Yes, a Xeon processor gives us exceptional results in gaming. Although, these processors do not support overclocking. However, the greater base frequency and a good number of cores provide us superb performance and processing speeds.
What is the best Xeon CPU for gaming?
There are many Xeon CPUs available in the market. The best of them for gaming are given as follows:
Intel Xeon E5 2678 V3.Intel Xeon E5 2760 V3.Intel Xeon E5 2690 V4.Intel Xeon E5 2699 V4.Intel Xeon X5687.
Is Xeon x5650 good for gaming?
Yes, Xeon X5650 is a good gaming processor that gives above-average results. It has 6 cores and 12 threads and has a base speed of 2.7 GHz. So, It can run most of the modern heavy games with ease. It has shown a score of 5783 on the Benchmark test as per PassMark Software.
Are Xeon processors better than i9 for gaming?
Xeon processors have a large number of cores and threads as compared to Intel Core processors. While the Core processors have high clock speeds and support overclocking. In modern gaming, the processing speeds matter more as compared to the number of cores or threads.
Therefore, i9 processors are better than Xeon processors when it comes to gaming.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed the pros and cons of the top 7 best Xeon CPUs for gaming. We have also analyzed the differences between a Xeon CPU and other consumer CPUs. We have also learned about the factors that contribute to processor performance.
Hope this article helped you in selecting the best Xeon chip for your computer.