Core 2 Duo SU9300 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.

Core 2 Duo SU9300 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.

Core 2 Duo SU9300 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.

Core 2 Duo SU9300

2008

Why buy it

✅Draws 3W instead of 16W, a 13W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,392 vs 1,407).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E3-1220L v3, which brings 2 cores / 4 threads and 16 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E3-1220L v3

2013

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 2 cores / 4 threads, plus 16 PCIe lanes vs 0.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $193 MSRP, while Core 2 Duo SU9300 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌433.3% higher power demand at 16W vs 3W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1220L v3 better than Core 2 Duo SU9300?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1220L v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core 2 Duo SU9300 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 E3-1220L v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.3% 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 E3-1220L v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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 $193 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (7.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2008), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 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.

Core 2 Duo SU9300 vs Xeon E3-1220L v3 Technical Specifications

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

Core 2 Duo SU9300

The Core 2 Duo SU9300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 1.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,392 points. Launch price was $249.

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 Core 2 Duo SU9300 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Xeon E3-1220L v3's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.2 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SU9300 versus 1.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220L v3 — a 22.2% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1220L v3 (base: 1.2 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core 2 Duo SU9300 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Xeon E3-1220L v3 uses Haswell-WS (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo SU9300 scores 1,392 against the Xeon E3-1220L v3's 1,407 — a 1.1% lead for the Xeon E3-1220L v3. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SU9300 vs 4096 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1220L v3.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SU9300	Xeon E3-1220L v3
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.2 GHz	1.5 GHz+25%
Base Clock	1.2 GHz+9%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB L2 Cache	4096 kB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	3 MB+1100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	45 nm	22 nm-51%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)
PassMark	1,392	1,407+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo SU9300 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Xeon E3-1220L v3 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SU9300	Xeon E3-1220L v3
Socket	BGA956	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	16