Core i3-6006U vs Xeon E3-1220L

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 i3-6006U vs Xeon E3-1220L 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 i3-6006U vs Xeon E3-1220L: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-6006U

2016

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 15W instead of 20W, a 5W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 520, while Xeon E3-1220L needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Xeon E3-1220L

2011

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,263 vs 2,273).
❌Launch MSRP is still $189 MSRP, while Core i3-6006U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌33.3% higher power demand at 20W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-6006U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-6006U better than Xeon E3-1220L?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1220L makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i3-6006U 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, Core i3-6006U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-6006U is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E3-1220L is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i3-6006U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $189 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E3-1220L is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E3-1220L is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (12.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core i3-6006U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-6006U vs Xeon E3-1220L Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-6006U

The Core i3-6006U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 November 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,273 points. Launch price was $281.

Xeon E3-1220L

The Xeon E3-1220L is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 20 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,263 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-6006U and Xeon E3-1220L share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Core i3-6006U versus 3.4 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220L — a 51.9% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1220L (base: 2 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i3-6006U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1220L uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-6006U scores 2,273 against the Xeon E3-1220L's 2,263 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i3-6006U. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-6006U vs 3 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1220L.

Feature	Core i3-6006U	Xeon E3-1220L
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2 GHz	3.4 GHz+70%
Base Clock	2 GHz	2.2 GHz+10%
L3 Cache	3 MB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	2,273	2,263
Cinebench R23 Multi	2,200	—
Geekbench 6 Single	630	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,313	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-6006U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1220L uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-6006U	Xeon E3-1220L
Socket	BGA1356	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: Yes (Core i3-6006U) / not specified (Xeon E3-1220L). The Core i3-6006U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 520), while the Xeon E3-1220L requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-6006U targets Mobile.