Table of Contents
Xeon E5‑2640 v3 is an eight‑core CPU that can run on budget X99 boards. It’s inexpensive and reasonably capable, making a solid foundation for a low‑cost gaming build.
Specifications
| Model | Xeon e5 2640 v3 |
|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2011-3 |
| Release Date | Q3 2014 |
| Architecture | Haswell-EP, 22 nm |
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 16 |
| Memory support | DDR4-1866, 4-channel |
| Base Frequency | 2600 MHz |
| Max Turbo Frequency | 3400 MHz (1-2 Cores) 3200 MHz (3 Cores) 3100 MHz (4 Cores) 3000 MHz (5 Cores) 2900 MHz (6 Cores) 2800 MHz (7-8 Cores) |
| Extensions & Features | MMX instructions SSE / Streaming SIMD Extensions SSE2 / Streaming SIMD Extensions 2 SSE3 / Streaming SIMD Extensions 3 SSSE3 / Supplemental Streaming SIMD Extensions 3 SSE4 / SSE4.1 + SSE4.2 / Streaming SIMD Extensions 4 AES / Advanced Encryption Standard instructions AVX / Advanced Vector Extensions AVX2 / Advanced Vector Extensions 2.0 BMI / BMI1 + BMI2 / Bit Manipulation instructions F16C / 16-bit Floating-Point conversion instructions FMA3 / 3-operand Fused Multiply-Add instructions EM64T / Extended Memory 64 technology / Intel 64 HT / Hyper-Threading technology VT-x / Virtualization technology VT-d / Virtualization for directed I/O TBT 2.0 / Turbo Boost technology 2.0 NX / XD / Execute disable bit ? TXT / Trusted Execution technology Enhanced Intel SpeedStep technology |
| L3 Cache | 20 Mb |
| PCIe Lanes | 40, Gen 3.0 |
| TDP | 90 W |
| Maximum operating temperature | 74°C |
| Multiplier | Locked |
| Integrated Graphics | None |
| CPUID | 0x306F2 |
| Approximate Price | $3 - $7 (Aliexpress) |
- 8 cores; good multi‑threaded performance for the price
- Low heat output; no need for expensive tower coolers
- Low power draw; runs on entry‑level boards
- Very low price
Main disadvantages:
- Aging architecture; lower IPC versus current CPUs
- Low stock clocks (improves with TBU)
- Maximum memory frequency of 1866 MHz (quad‑channel helps bandwidth)
Because the maximum supported DDR4 frequency is only 1866 MHz, we recommend using quad‑channel memory. In that case you can expect memory bandwidth of roughly 45–50 GB/s.
Overclocking Capability
Turbo Boost Unlock (TBU)
Turbo Boost Unlock on Xeon E5 v3 forces the maximum single‑core turbo ratio across all cores. It leverages an undocumented Haswell‑EP quirk, not an official feature. Applied via methods such as a BIOS mod with S3TurboTool, it typically yields 10–30% multi‑threaded gains, depending on SKU and cooling. Expect higher sustained power and temperatures; use strong cooling and make sure the motherboard VRM can handle the load.
TBU is widely used in the X99 community; without it, performance in many modern apps and games is often insufficient.
Base Clock (BCLK) Overclocking
Some retail X99 boards allow a small BCLK increase (about 3–5%), which brings only minor gains. It can be used alone or together with TBU.
Performance and Tests
All tests below were run with TBU enabled. Multi‑threaded performance is decent; per‑core speed is still far from modern CPUs.
CPU‑Z
Cinebench R15, R20, R23
CPU Mark
Blender (BMW)
AIDA64 CPU Queen
Corona 1.3
Summary
| Xeon E5 2640 v3 (TBU) | |
|---|---|
| CPU-Z (single) | ~370 |
| CPU-Z (multi) | ~3750 |
| Cinebench R15 | ~1300 |
| Cinebench R20 | ~2900 |
| Cinebench R23 | ~7700 |
| CPU Mark | ~8170 |
| Blender (BMW) | ~04:40 |
| AIDA64 CPU Queen | ~76000 |
| Corona 1.3 | ~02:34 |
Similar models in terms of multi‑threaded performance level:
| Model | Cores / Threads | Cinebench R15 | Cinebench R20 | Cinebench R23 | CPU-Z Multi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xeon E5-2640 v3 (TBU) | 8c / 16t | ~1300 | ~2900 | ~7700 | ~3800 |
| Xeon E5-1650 v4 | 6c / 12t | ~1200 | ~2500 | ~6400 | ~3500 |
| Ryzen 5 2600 | 6c / 12t | ~1450 | ~3300 | ~8200 | ~4200 |
| Core i7-9700 | 8c / 8t | ~1700 | ~3800 | ~9600 | ~4700 |
Gaming Performance
With TBU applied, the CPU can serve as a budget gaming option. It handles most esports titles and shows smooth FPS in games well optimized for multi‑threading. However, modest clocks and weak IPC won’t deliver good results in CPU‑heavy projects.
- Games up to 2020: 85% run well (60+ FPS), 10% are playable (40–60 FPS), 5% are unplayable (low FPS, stutter)
- Games 2020–2025: 70% run well (60+ FPS), 20% are playable (40–60 FPS), 10% are unplayable (low FPS, stutter)
Most suitable graphics cards for Full HD and 1440p: NVIDIA 1070 (Ti), 1660 (Super/Ti), 1080 (Ti), 2060 (Super), 3060 (Ti); AMD RX 580, RX 5600 XT, RX 5700 XT, RX 6600 (XT/6650 XT), RX 6700 XT, RX 7600 (XT).
Gaming performance paired with a GTX 1070:
Gaming performance paired with an RTX 4060:
Revisions
Besides the retail version, there are engineering samples of the E5‑2640 v3. They can be identified by the s‑spec code laser‑marked on the heatspreader (IHS). The retail code is SR205. The stepping/revision is also shown in the HWiNFO utility. 
| S‑spec Code | Stepping | Version |
| QGSF | R2 | QS/ES |
| SR205 | R2 | Final |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is undervolting possible?
Yes, voltage control is possible on v3 processors. Some ES models may be exceptions.
Is there solder or thermal paste under the lid?
There is solder under the lid, as with the entire Xeon E5 v3/v4 lineup.
Is the processor compatible with Windows 11?
No, the Xeon E5‑2640 v3 is not officially supported by Windows 11, but it works if you bypass the CPU and TPM checks during installation.
Final Verdict
The Xeon E5‑2640 v3 is definitely a good buy considering its cost. A processor that costs only a few dollars lets you play modern games, runs cool, and can work on budget motherboards. Of course, it lags far behind new CPUs, benefits greatly from a Turbo Boost Unlock, and is limited to a memory frequency that’s low by today’s standards. Still, the price‑to‑performance ratio is excellent.
That said, if you want an inexpensive CPU primarily for gaming, it makes sense to look at the next generation — for example, the Xeon E5‑1650 v4 or the more expensive Xeon E5‑2667 v4. Yes, they cost more, but they don’t require a TBU, have higher IPC, and support faster memory. If your budget is as tight as it gets, the Xeon E5‑2640 v3 remains a solid choice.