A6-3430MX vs Xeon E3-1220L v3

A6-3430MX vs Xeon E3-1220L v3 Performance Spectrum

A6-3430MX

4 / 4

1,389

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Xeon E3-1220L v3

2 / 4

1,407

+1.3%

Celeron B820

Pentium Dual-Core E2180

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

A6-3430MX vs Xeon E3-1220L v3 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

A6-3430MX vs Xeon E3-1220L v3: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

A6-3430MX

2011

Why buy it

✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 6520G, while Xeon E3-1220L v3 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,389 vs 1,407).
❌181.3% higher power demand at 45W vs 16W.

Xeon E3-1220L v3

2013

Why buy it

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 16W instead of 45W, a 29W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $193 MSRP, while A6-3430MX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while A6-3430MX can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1220L v3 better than A6-3430MX?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1220L v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while A6-3430MX is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1220L v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Xeon E3-1220L v3 is the better buy right now. Xeon E3-1220L v3 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $193 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that A6-3430MX is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (7.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Xeon E3-1220L v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

A6-3430MX vs Xeon E3-1220L v3 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

A6-3430MX

The A6-3430MX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Llano (2011−2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FS1. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,389 points. Launch price was $70.

Xeon E3-1220L v3

The Xeon E3-1220L v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 1.5 GHz. L3 cache: 4096 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 13 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 1,407 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The A6-3430MX packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E3-1220L v3 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A6-3430MX has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the A6-3430MX versus 1.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220L v3 — a 46.2% clock advantage for the A6-3430MX (base: 1.7 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The A6-3430MX uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E3-1220L v3 uses Haswell-WS (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the A6-3430MX scores 1,389 against the Xeon E3-1220L v3's 1,407 — a 1.3% lead for the Xeon E3-1220L v3. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A6-3430MX vs 4096 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1220L v3.

Feature	A6-3430MX	Xeon E3-1220L v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz+60%	1.5 GHz
Base Clock	1.7 GHz+55%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	4096 kB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Llano (2011−2012)	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)
PassMark	1,389	1,407+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	254	—

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Memory & Platform

The A6-3430MX uses the FS1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E3-1220L v3 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1600 memory speed. The Xeon E3-1220L v3 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	A6-3430MX	Xeon E3-1220L v3
Socket	FS1	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	32 GB+300%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (A6-3430MX) vs VT-P (Xeon E3-1220L v3). The A6-3430MX includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6520G), while the Xeon E3-1220L v3 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A6-3430MX targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: A6-3430MX rivals Core i3-2350M.