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Intel E5-2678V3 Xeon 2.5GHz 12-Core Processor — main product image
Intel

Intel E5-2678V3 Xeon 2.5GHz 12-Core Processor

Twelve Haswell-EP cores at 2.5GHz with 30MB of L3 cache give this Xeon a strong foundation for multi-threaded server and workstation workloads on a dual-socket LGA2011-3 platform.

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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jun 04, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The Intel Xeon E5-2678V3 is a 12-core Haswell-EP processor operating at 2.5GHz with 30MB of shared L3 cache and a 120W TDP. Those numbers require context: 30MB of L3 cache is a substantial working set that allows data-heavy workloads — database queries, rendering tile sets, compilation object caches — to resolve from on-die memory rather than reaching out to slower DRAM. The 2.5GHz clock is competitive for sustained multi-threaded throughput but not exceptional for single-threaded tasks. Critically, the E5-2678V3 does not support Hyper-Threading, so its 12 cores produce 12 threads — a distinction that matters when comparing against HT-enabled peers in the E5-2600 v3 lineup that can offer 24 threads at similar core counts.

This processor is built for the LGA2011-3 platform — C610 chipset server and workstation motherboards found in Dell PowerEdge, HP ProLiant, and Supermicro systems. Its target use case is multi-socket workstation builds and home lab servers where DDR4 ECC memory, VT-d I/O passthrough, and large core counts matter more than per-clock performance. A dual-socket configuration using two E5-2678V3 units yields 24 physical cores and 48 threads — a configuration that competes meaningfully for virtualization hosts, NAS builds, and software development environments. At the price point this processor occupies on the secondary market, it remains one of the more practical ways to build a high-core-count ECC workstation without new-platform costs.

Specifications

Brand
Intel
Model
E5-2678V3
Part Number
CM8064401967500
Base Clock Speed
2.50 GHz
Cores
12
Threads
12
L3 Cache
30MB
TDP
120W
Socket
M1 (per listing)

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • 12 physical cores deliver strong multi-threaded throughput for rendering, compilation, and virtualization workloads.
  • 30MB L3 cache reduces memory latency penalties for data-intensive workloads that fit within the cache footprint.
  • Dual-socket platform support doubles core count to 24 physical cores when paired with a matched processor on a compatible board.
  • ECC memory support provides hardware-level memory error correction for reliability-critical workloads.
  • Intel VT-x and VT-d virtualization support enables efficient hypervisor hosting with hardware I/O passthrough capability.

👎 Cons

  • No Hyper-Threading support means thread count is capped at 12 — competing Xeon E5 v3 SKUs with HT deliver 24 threads from the same core count.
  • 2.5GHz base clock limits single-threaded performance — applications that do not parallelize well will show their bottleneck here against faster-clocked alternatives.
  • 120W TDP requires server-grade or high-capacity workstation cooling; existing consumer CPU coolers will not support this socket or thermal load.
  • Haswell-EP is a 2014-generation architecture — PCIe 3.0 bandwidth and DDR4-2133 speeds are competitive but behind current platforms.
  • Platform-specific: requires LGA2011-3 motherboard and C610-series chipset, which limits upgrade path and available compatible boards to the secondary market.

Frequently Asked Questions

The E5-2678V3 has 12 cores and 12 threads — note this processor does not support Hyper-Threading, so thread count equals core count. Workloads that benefit most are those that scale across many physical cores: rendering, compilation, virtualization, and batch data processing. Single-threaded applications will be limited by the 2.5GHz clock.
The E5-2678V3 is a Haswell-EP generation Xeon designed for the LGA2011-3 socket, compatible with Intel C610 series chipset motherboards (such as those found in Dell PowerEdge, HP ProLiant, and Supermicro dual-socket workstation boards). It supports dual-socket configurations for up to 24 cores per system.
The E5-2678V3 has a 120W TDP. Server-class active cooling or a high-performance workstation cooler rated for 130W or above is required — standard desktop coolers are not appropriate for this socket class or thermal envelope.
As a Haswell-EP Xeon, the E5-2678V3 supports DDR4 ECC RDIMM and LRDIMM memory across four memory channels. Maximum memory capacity and speed depend on the specific motherboard, but the platform supports up to DDR4-2133 natively.
Yes to both. Intel VT-x and VT-d are supported, enabling hardware-assisted virtualization for hypervisors such as VMware ESXi and Proxmox. ECC memory support is a core feature of the Xeon E5 platform, providing error-correcting memory for workloads where data integrity is non-negotiable.

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