Celeron 1020E vs Xeon E3-1220L v3

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.

Celeron 1020E 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.

Celeron 1020E 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.

Celeron 1020E

2013

Why buy it

✅Costs $107 less on MSRP ($86 MSRP vs $193 MSRP).
✅Delivers 124.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 16.3 vs 7.3 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $193 MSRP).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge), while Xeon E3-1220L v3 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,406 vs 1,407).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E3-1220L v3, which brings 2 cores / 4 threads.
❌3100% higher power demand at 512W vs 16W.

Xeon E3-1220L v3

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 2 cores / 4 threads.
✅Draws 16W instead of 512W, a 496W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.3 vs 16.3 PassMark/$ ($193 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron 1020E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1220L v3 better than Celeron 1020E?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1220L v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Celeron 1020E 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 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Xeon E3-1220L v3 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Xeon E3-1220L v3 comes in 124.4% more expensive on MSRP at $193 MSRP versus $86 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. Celeron 1020E only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2013 platform. Even with 124.3% better value on paper (16.3 vs 7.3 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on G2.

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 100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron 1020E vs Xeon E3-1220L v3 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron 1020E

The Celeron 1020E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: G2. Thermal design power (TDP): 512 kB + 2 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,406 points. Launch price was $69.

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 Celeron 1020E packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Xeon E3-1220L v3's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Celeron 1020E versus 1.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220L v3 — a 37.8% clock advantage for the Celeron 1020E (base: 2.2 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Celeron 1020E uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E3-1220L v3 uses Haswell-WS (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 1020E scores 1,406 against the Xeon E3-1220L v3's 1,407 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E3-1220L v3. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron 1020E vs 4096 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1220L v3.

Feature	Celeron 1020E	Xeon E3-1220L v3
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.2 GHz+47%	1.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.2 GHz+100%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	4096 kB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)
PassMark	1,406	1,407

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron 1020E uses the G2 socket (PCIe 3.0), 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 16 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: QM77,HM76 (Celeron 1020E) and C222,C224,C226 (Xeon E3-1220L v3).

Feature	Celeron 1020E	Xeon E3-1220L v3
Socket	G2	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	32 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron 1020E) vs VT-P (Xeon E3-1220L v3). The Celeron 1020E includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge)), while the Xeon E3-1220L v3 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 1020E targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron 1020E rivals Pentium 2020M.

Feature	Celeron 1020E	Xeon E3-1220L v3
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge)	—
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-P
Target Use	Budget	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron 1020E was priced at $86, while the Xeon E3-1220L v3 came in at $193. On launch pricing ($86 vs $193), Celeron 1020E was $107 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron 1020E delivers 16.3 pts/$ vs 7.3 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1220L v3 — making the Celeron 1020E the 76.6% better value option.

Feature	Celeron 1020E	Xeon E3-1220L v3
MSRP	$86-55%	$193
Performance per Dollar	16.3+123%	7.3
Release Date	2013	2013

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