Atom x7425E vs Xeon E3-1290

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.

Atom x7425E vs Xeon E3-1290 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.

Atom x7425E vs Xeon E3-1290: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Atom x7425E

2023

Why buy it

✅Draws 12W instead of 95W, a 83W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1155 and older memory support.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (9 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics (24EU), while Xeon E3-1290 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E3-1290 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,427 vs 5,429).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E3-1290, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads.

Xeon E3-1290

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +15.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads.

Trade-offs

❌691.7% higher power demand at 95W vs 12W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1155, while Atom x7425E moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Atom x7425E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1290 better than Atom x7425E?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1290 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Atom x7425E is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E3-1290 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 15.3% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1290 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Xeon E3-1290 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E3-1290 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 15.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Atom x7425E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2011) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of LGA1155. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Atom x7425E vs Xeon E3-1290 Technical Specifications

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

Atom x7425E

The Atom x7425E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Gracemont (2023) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 12 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 4800 MHz Single-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 5,427 points. Launch price was $149.

Xeon E3-1290

The Xeon E3-1290 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 May 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,429 points. Launch price was $885.

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Processing Power

The Atom x7425E packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Xeon E3-1290's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Atom x7425E versus 4 GHz on the Xeon E3-1290 — a 16.2% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1290 (base: 1.5 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Atom x7425E uses the Gracemont (2023) architecture (10 nm), while the Xeon E3-1290 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Atom x7425E scores 5,427 against the Xeon E3-1290's 5,429 — a 0% lead for the Xeon E3-1290. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Atom x7425E vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1290.

Feature	Atom x7425E	Xeon E3-1290
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	4 GHz+18%
Base Clock	1.5 GHz	3.6 GHz+140%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	2 MB (total)+700%	256 kB (per core)
Process	10 nm-69%	32 nm
Architecture	Gracemont (2023)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	5,427	5,429

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Memory & Platform

The Atom x7425E uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E3-1290 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Atom x7425E	Xeon E3-1290
Socket	FCBGA1744	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+100%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	1	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	9	—