Table of Contents
Xeon E5 2650 v4 is one of the most affordable and popular processors for LGA2011-3, often sold in bundles with budget Chinese motherboards. At launch in 2016, this model cost over $1000, and now it’s available on platforms like Aliexpress for practically the price of a cup of coffee.
What is a 12-core server processor capable of in 2025? Let’s find out.
Specifications
| Model | Xeon e5 2650 v4 |
|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2011-3 |
| Release Date | Q1 2016 |
| Architecture | Broadwell-EP, 14 nm |
| Cores / Threads | 12 / 24 |
| Memory support | DDR4-2400, 4-channel |
| Base Frequency | 2200 MHz |
| Max Turbo Frequency | 2900 MHz (1-2 Cores) 2700 MHz (3 Cores) 2600 MHz (4 Cores) 2500 MHz (5-12 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 TSX / Transactional Synchronization Extensions NX / XD / Execute disable bit ? TXT / Trusted Execution technology Enhanced Intel SpeedStep technology |
| L3 Cache | 30 Mb |
| PCIe Lanes | 40, Gen 3.0 |
| TDP | 105 W |
| Maximum operating temperature | 80°C |
| Multiplier | Locked |
| Integrated Graphics | None |
| CPUID | 0x406F1 |
| Approximate Price | $5 - $10 |
- Many cores, decent level of multi-threaded performance
- Low heat generation, no need for expensive tower coolers
- Low power consumption, ability to work on the most budget boards
- Very low price
Main disadvantages:
- Already quite old architecture, low IPC compared to current ones
- Very low clock frequency
- Maximum memory frequency of only 2400 MHz (though it supports quad-channel)
Overclocking Capability
The processor has a locked multiplier, which prevents overclocking for most users. Only some branded boards from the LGA2011-3 heyday can slightly raise the bus frequency, increasing frequency by 2-3%, but such overclocking cannot change the overall picture.
Note that Turbo Boost Unlock is only possible on Haswell (V3) processors.
Performance and Tests
Synthetic test results are predictable: decent level of multi-threaded performance, but mediocre power per core.
CPU-Z
Cinebench R15, R20, R23
Passmark
3DMark Time Spy
Similar models in terms of multi-threaded performance level:
| Model | Cores / Threads | Cinebench R15 | Cinebench R20 | Cinebench R23 | CPU-Z Multi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 | 12c / 24t | ~1550 | ~3640 | ~9400 | ~4700 |
| AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | 6c / 12t | ~1550 | ~3600 | ~9200 | ~4200 |
| AMD Ryzen 5 5500 | 6c / 12t | ~1600 | ~3800 | ~9800 | ~4600 |
| Intel Core i7-8700K | 6c / 12t | ~1450 | ~3500 | ~9200 | ~4000 |
Gaming Performance
Xeon E5 2650 v4 is clearly not a gaming processor, so don’t expect comfortable FPS in all games from it. However, it allows you to play well-optimized multi-threaded games and handles most esports projects quite well.
- Games up to 2020: 75% run well (60+ FPS), 15% are playable (40-60 FPS), 10% are unplayable (low FPS, stutters, micro-freezes).
- Games 2020-2025: 50% run well (60+ FPS), 30% are playable (40-60 FPS), 20% are unplayable (low FPS, stutters, micro-freezes).
If you’re choosing a very budget gaming solution, our advice is to add just a little bit more and get a processor with higher frequency, for example Xeon E5 2680 v4.
Most suitable graphics cards for FullHD and 1440p: Nvidia 1070 (TI), 1660 (TI\Super), 2060 (Super), 3060 (TI), AMD RX 580, RX 5600 (XT), RX 5700 (XT), RX 6600 (XT).
Performance with GTX 1080:
Performance with RTX 2060:
Close Alternatives
- Xeon E5 2670 v3\2680 v3 – 12-core processors from the previous generation. Due to the possibility of turbo unlock, they will perform better, but run hotter and are more demanding on the motherboard’s VRM.
- Xeon E5 2660 v4 – 14\28, frequency across all cores 2.6 GHz, TDP 105W. Slightly more cores, slightly higher frequency, same TDP.
- Xeon E5 2680 v4 – 14\28, frequency across all cores 2.9 GHz, TDP 120W. Even higher frequency, but already higher TDP. Reasonable maximum for budget boards.
See the complete list of processors for socket 2011-3 here.
Revisions
Besides the final version, there are also engineering versions of the E5 2650 v4. They can be distinguished by the s-spec code, which is engraved on the processor lid. The final version has the code SR2N3. The revision can also be determined by the HWiNFO utility.
| S-spec Code | Stepping | Version |
| QK8Y | M0 | QS\ES |
| SR2N3 | M0 | Final |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is undervolting possible?
Only for QS models, in final versions the ability to undervolt is blocked.
Is there solder or thermal paste under the lid?
There’s solder under the heat spreader, as with the entire Xeon E5 v3\v4 lineup.
Is the processor compatible with Win11?
No, the Xeon E5-2650 v4 is not officially supported by Windows 11, but it works fine if you bypass CPU and TPM requirements.