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Xeon E5-2696 v3 is one of the standout high-core-count CPUs on the Haswell-EP platform. Beyond its 18 cores, it offers relatively high boost clocks for the socket and the rare ability to run on either DDR4 or DDR3 memory.
This processor is an OEM-only model, so you won’t find it on Intel’s public product pages. These chips were built for specific OEMs and never sold at retail. The E5-2696 v3 is likely a slightly modified Xeon E5-2699 v3.
Specifications
| Model | Xeon e5 2696 v3 |
|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2011-3 |
| Release Date | Q3 2014 |
| Architecture | Haswell-EP, 22 nm |
| Cores / Threads | 18 / 36 |
| Memory support | DDR4-2133 \ DDR3-2133, 4-channel |
| Base Frequency | 2300 MHz |
| Max Turbo Frequency | 3800 MHz (1-2 Cores) 3600 MHz (3 Cores) 3500 MHz (4 Cores) 3400 MHz (5 Cores) 3300 MHz (6 Cores) 3200 MHz (7 Cores) 3100 MHz (8 Cores) 3000 MHz (9 Cores) 2900 MHz (10 Cores) 2800 MHz (11+ 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 | 45 Mb |
| PCIe Lanes | 40, Gen 3.0 |
| TDP | 145 W |
| Maximum operating temperature (Tcase) | 76.0°C |
| Multiplier | Locked |
| Integrated Graphics | None |
| CPUID | 0x306F2 |
| Approximate Price | AliExpress: $45 - $60 (Check Price) |
Key advantages in 2025:
- 18 cores and excellent multithreaded performance
- Support for both DDR3 and DDR4 (not simultaneously)
- Works in both single-socket and dual-socket configurations
- Strong price-to-performance ratio
Limitations:
- Aging architecture; lower IPC versus modern CPUs
- Memory limited to 2133 MT\s (quad‑channel helps with bandwidth)
- Runs hot; use a tower cooler with at least 4 heatpipes (5–6 preferred)
- High load power; avoid motherboards with weak VRM
Overclocking Capability
Turbo Boost Unlock
Turbo Boost Unlock (TBU) on Xeon E5 v3 forces the CPU to hold its maximum single‑core turbo ratio across all cores. It exploits an unintended Haswell-EP behavior—a bug, not a planned Intel feature. Applied through methods such as BIOS modification via S3TurboTool, it typically yields 10–30% gains in multithreaded workloads, depending on SKU and cooling. Expect higher sustained power and thermals; use strong cooling and make sure the motherboard VRM can handle the additional load.
TBU is now commonplace in the Haswell‑EP community; without it, performance often falls short in modern tasks, including gaming.
For the E5-2696 v3, TBU can add roughly 1 GHz all‑core, but it’s not that simple. Even a 145 W TDP is rarely enough to hold the maximum ratio across all cores under heavy all‑core workloads (rendering, stress tests, etc.). The CPU will drop clocks to stay within TDP/EDP limits. Undervolting can partially improve headroom. Most samples are stable at −50 mV; good chips can hold −70 to −100 mV.
With undervolting, you can generally expect 3.0–3.4 GHz across all cores depending on workload. Under AVX workloads, frequency drops to 2.8–3.0 GHz. This behavior is typical for high‑core‑count v3 processors with a locked multiplier.
Under moderate loads (including games), an undervolted CPU can hold 3.7–3.8 GHz across all cores. Under heavy loads, to sustain those clocks you can disable some cores in the BIOS. In most cases, you’ll need to disable 8–10 cores to keep the maximum ratio.
Base Clock (BCLK) Overclocking
Only select high‑end X99 boards can nudge BCLK, netting roughly +3–5%. It won’t change the overall picture, but it can be combined with TBU.
Performance and Tests
In all tests, the CPU is TB‑unlocked and moderately undervolted.
The processor delivers impressive multithreaded performance but, like the rest of the Xeon E5 lineup, it lags in per‑core speed.
CPU‑Z
Cinebench R15, R20, R23
Geekbench 6
7‑Zip
V‑Ray 4.10.03
Corona 1.3
Summary
| Xeon E5 2696 v3 (TBU) | |
|---|---|
| CPU-Z (single) | ~420 |
| CPU-Z (multi) | ~8400 |
| Cinebench R15 | ~2750 |
| Cinebench R20 | ~5700 |
| Cinebench R23 | ~14850 |
| 7-Zip | ~112 GIPS |
| Vray 4.10.03 | ~17900 ksamples |
| Corona 1.3 | ~01:10 |
More tests with unlock and undervolt, plus a comparison with the E5-2698 v3:
Gaming Performance
High‑core‑count Xeons on LGA2011‑3 aren’t the best choice for games, largely due to higher memory latency and lower per‑core boost. However, the relatively high (for the socket) all‑core frequency lets the E5-2696 v3 handle many modern titles confidently. It’s no match for current gaming CPUs, but it can deliver comfortable FPS in most games.
- Games up to 2020: 95% run well (60+ FPS), 5% are playable (40–60 FPS)
- Games 2020–2025: 80% run well (60+ FPS), 10% are playable (40–60 FPS), 10% are unplayable (low FPS, stutters, micro‑freezes)
Best‑matched GPUs for 1080p 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 in 2026 paired with an RTX 2080 Super:
Gaming performance paired with an RTX 3070:
Gaming performance by core count (paired with an RX 6900 XT):
Close Alternatives
- Xeon E5-2698 v3 (16/32, up to 3.6 GHz, 40 MB L3) — two fewer cores and slightly lower max turbo/L3
- Xeon E5-2699 v3 (18/36, up to 3.6 GHz, 45 MB L3) — essentially the same as E5-2696 v3, but without DDR3 support and with a slightly lower max turbo
- Xeon E5-2697A v4 (16/32, up to 3.6 GHz, 40 MB L3) — a 16‑core chip on a newer architecture, only slightly behind in multithreaded workloads
- Xeon E5-2697 v4 (18/36, up to 3.6 GHz, 45 MB L3) — a direct competitor from the v4 family; faster in some tasks thanks to the newer architecture
- Xeon E5-2699 v4 (22/44, up to 3.6 GHz, 55 MB L3) — near‑maximum multithreaded performance available on LGA2011‑3
The full list of processors for LGA2011‑3 can be found here.
Revisions
In addition to the final OEM stepping, there are engineering versions of the E5-2696 v3. They can be identified by the s‑spec code engraved on the IHS. The final version carries SR1XK. You can also check stepping in the HWiNFO utility.
| Stepping | S-spec code |
| A0 (ES1) | QEY8 |
| M0/C0 (Pre-QS) | QG7U |
| M1/C1/R2 (QS/OEM) | QGN7 |
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 (IHS), as with the entire Xeon E5 v3/v4 lineup.
Is the processor compatible with Windows 11?
No, the Xeon E5-2696 v3 is not officially supported by Windows 11, but it works fine if you bypass the CPU/TPM checks during installation.
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