Core 2 Duo T6670 vs Xeon E3-1220L v2

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 T6670 vs Xeon E3-1220L v2 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 T6670 vs Xeon E3-1220L v2: 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 T6670

2009

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 17W, a 15W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,365 vs 2,397).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E3-1220L v2, which brings 2 cores / 4 threads.

Xeon E3-1220L v2

2012

Why buy it

✅+300% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 2 cores / 4 threads.

Trade-offs

❌750% higher power demand at 17W vs 2W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1220L v2 better than Core 2 Duo T6670?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1220L v2 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core 2 Duo T6670 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 v2 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.9% 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 v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 300% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Xeon E3-1220L v2 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E3-1220L v2 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Xeon E3-1220L v2 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2009), 300% larger total L3 cache (8 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.

Core 2 Duo T6670 vs Xeon E3-1220L v2 Technical Specifications

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

Core 2 Duo T6670

The Core 2 Duo T6670 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 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,365 points. Launch price was $249.

Xeon E3-1220L v2

The Xeon E3-1220L v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,397 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo T6670 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Xeon E3-1220L v2's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T6670 versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220L v2 — a 45.6% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1220L v2 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core 2 Duo T6670 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Xeon E3-1220L v2 uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T6670 scores 2,365 against the Xeon E3-1220L v2's 2,397 — a 1.3% lead for the Xeon E3-1220L v2. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T6670 vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1220L v2.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T6670	Xeon E3-1220L v2
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.2 GHz	3.5 GHz+59%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.3 GHz+5%
L3 Cache	2 MB L2 Cache	8 MB (total)+300%
L2 Cache	2 MB+700%	256 kB (per core)
Process	45 nm	22 nm-51%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,365	2,397+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	252	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	252	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo T6670 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Xeon E3-1220L v2 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T6670	Xeon E3-1220L v2
Socket	PGA478	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	0	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core 2 Duo T6670) / not specified (Xeon E3-1220L v2). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T6670 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo T6670 rivals Core 2 Duo T6600.