The Ultimate Review of the 10-Core Broadwell Xeon E5-2630 v4

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Specifications of the Intel Xeon E5 2630v4
   • 2.1 Overview
   • 2.2 Engineering Sample CPUs
   • 2.3 Clock Speed and Turbo Boost
   • 2.4 TDP and Cache
3. Comparison with Xeon E5 v3 CPUs
4. Compatibility Issues with Motherboards
5. Benchmarking and Performance testing
   • 5.1 City Bench 15
   • 5.2 Cinebench R20
   • 5.3 Geekbench
   • 5.4 Workstation Performance
6. Gaming Performance
   • 6.1 Far Cry 5
   • 6.2 Assassin's Creed Odyssey
   • 6.3 Ghost Recon Breakpoint
   • 6.4 The Division 2
   • 6.5 GTA 5
7. Conclusion
8. Should You Purchase the Intel Xeon E5 2630v4?
9. Resources

🖥️ Intel Xeon E5 2630v4: A Detailed Review of an Engineering Sample CPU

Welcome to this article where we'll be diving into the world of the Intel Xeon E5 2630v4 engineering sample CPU. In this comprehensive review, we'll explore its specifications, performance benchmarks, and its compatibility with various motherboards. We'll also compare it with its predecessor, the Xeon E5 v3 series, and evaluate its gaming and workstation performance. So, let's get started!

2. Specifications of the Intel Xeon E5 2630v4

2.1 Overview

The Intel Xeon E5 2630v4 is built on the Broadwell-E architecture using a 14-nanometer manufacturing process. With 10 cores and 20 Threads, this CPU offers impressive multi-threaded performance.

2.2 Engineering Sample CPUs

Before the retail version of a CPU is released, engineering samples are often provided for testing purposes. The Xeon E5 2630v4 we have here is an engineering sample, which means it may have slight differences compared to its final retail version.

2.3 Clock Speed and Turbo Boost

The base clock speed of the Xeon E5 2630v4 is 2.1 GHz, slightly lower than the retail version's 2.2 GHz. Its turbo boost on all cores reaches 2.3 GHz, which may seem low compared to today's standards. However, it's important to remember that Xeons are not primarily designed for gaming.

2.4 TDP and Cache

With a TDP of 85 watts, the Xeon E5 2630v4 offers a good balance between power consumption and performance. It also boasts a massive 25 megabytes of cache, ensuring efficient data access and retrieval.

3. Comparison with Xeon E5 v3 CPUs

Let's compare the Xeon E5 2630v4 with its predecessor, the Xeon E5 v3 series. While the clock speeds of the v4 may be slightly lower, its improved architecture and manufacturing process should result in better performance overall.

4. Compatibility Issues with Motherboards

It's worth noting that engineering sample CPUs like the Xeon E5 2630v4 may not be compatible with all motherboards, especially Chinese ones. In our testing, we encountered compatibility issues with some models but found success with others. We'll provide a detailed account of our experiences in a separate article.

5. Benchmarking and Performance Testing

5.1 City Bench 15

The Xeon E5 2630v4 achieved a score of 1206 in City Bench 15, which is respectable but not exceptional. Comparatively, the Ryzen 7 3700X scored 2089, while the Xeon E5 2620v3 scored 956.

5.2 Cinebench R20

In Cinebench R20, the Xeon E5 2630v4 exhibited some performance issues, achieving a score of only 2191. The Ryzen 7 3700X outperformed it with a score of 4600, while the Xeon E5 2620v3 scored 2211.

5.3 Geekbench

In Geekbench, the Xeon E5 2630v4 performed well with a single-thread score of 291 and a multi-thread score of 3556. The Ryzen 7 3700X scored 508 in single-thread and 5416 in multi-thread, while the Xeon E5 2620v3 scored 342 in single-thread and 2613 in multi-thread.

5.4 Workstation Performance

For workstation tasks, such as video rendering, the Xeon E5 2630v4 produced respectable results. In our test using Vegas Pro, it encoded a one-minute 1080p 30 fps video in one minute and 42 seconds. The Ryzen 7 3700X completed the task in 51 seconds, while the Xeon E5 2620v3 took one minute and 22 seconds.

6. Gaming Performance

6.1 Far Cry 5

At the ultra preset in 1080p, the Xeon E5 2630v4 achieved an average of 79 frames per Second (fps) in Far Cry 5. In comparison, the Ryzen 7 3700X reached 115 fps, and the Xeon E5 2620v3 scored 95 fps.

6.2 Assassin's Creed Odyssey

At the ultra high preset in 1080p, the Xeon E5 2630v4 delivered a respectable 66 fps in Assassin's Creed Odyssey. The Ryzen 7 3700X performed slightly better with 70 fps, while the Xeon E5 2620v3 scored 67 fps.

6.3 Ghost Recon Breakpoint

At the ultra preset with the Vulkan API, the Xeon E5 2630v4 achieved 112 fps in Ghost Recon Breakpoint. The Ryzen 7 3700X and Xeon E5 2620v3 had similar performance, with 114 fps and 113 fps respectively.

6.4 The Division 2

With DirectX 11 and the ultra preset, the Xeon E5 2630v4 achieved 87 fps in The Division 2. The Ryzen 7 3700X scored 96 fps, while the Xeon E5 2620v3 reached 92 fps.

6.5 GTA 5

In GTA 5 with custom settings, the Xeon E5 2630v4 averaged 130 fps. The Ryzen 7 3700X outperformed it with 144 fps, while the Xeon E5 2620v3 scored 135 fps.

7. Conclusion

Considering the specifications and performance of the Intel Xeon E5 2630v4 engineering sample CPU, it may not be the best choice for users seeking high gaming performance. While it excels in certain workstation tasks, there are better options available.

8. Should You Purchase the Intel Xeon E5 2630v4?

With its compatibility issues, lower clock speeds, and underwhelming gaming performance, it is not recommended to purchase the engineering sample Intel Xeon E5 2630v4 CPU. If you're considering Xeon CPUs, it's advisable to opt for the Xeon E5 2620v3 or 2678v3, which offer better performance at a similar price point.

9. Resources

• Intel official website: https://www.intel.com
• CPU benchmarking tools: City Bench 15, Cinebench R20, Geekbench
• Game benchmarking tools: Far Cry 5, Assassin's Creed Odyssey, Ghost Recon Breakpoint, The Division 2, GTA 5