Core i5-3330 vs Xeon E3-1260L
Core i5-3330
Xeon E3-1260L
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i5-3330 is positioned at rank 736 and the Xeon E3-1260L is on rank 750, so the Core i5-3330 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-3330
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1260L
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-3330 | Xeon E3-1260L |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($21) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($270) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-3330 | Xeon E3-1260L |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+1193%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($21) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($270) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-3330 and Xeon E3-1260L
Core i5-3330
The Core i5-3330 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 77 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,100 points. Launch price was $360.
Xeon E3-1260L
The Xeon E3-1260L is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 April 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,076 points. Launch price was $150.
Processing Power
The Core i5-3330 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Xeon E3-1260L's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-3330 versus 3.3 GHz on the Xeon E3-1260L — a 3.1% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1260L (base: 3 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i5-3330 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E3-1260L uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3330 scores 4,100 against the Xeon E3-1260L's 4,076 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-3330. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3330 vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1260L.
| Feature | Core i5-3330 | Xeon E3-1260L |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.2 GHz | 3.3 GHz+3% |
| Base Clock | 3 GHz+25% | 2.4 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 8 MB (total)+33% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm-31% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 4,100 | 4,076 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 600 | — |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the LGA1155 socket with PCIe 3.0.
| Feature | Core i5-3330 | Xeon E3-1260L |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-3330) / not specified (Xeon E3-1260L). The Core i5-3330 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2500), while the Xeon E3-1260L requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3330 targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-3330 rivals FX-6300.
| Feature | Core i5-3330 | Xeon E3-1260L |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 2500 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | — |
| Target Use | Legacy Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-3330 launched at $182 MSRP, while the Xeon E3-1260L debuted at $294. At current prices ($21 vs $270), the Core i5-3330 is $249 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3330 delivers 195.2 pts/$ vs 15.1 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1260L — making the Core i5-3330 the 171.3% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-3330 | Xeon E3-1260L |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $182-38% | $294 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $21-92% | $270 |
| Performance per Dollar | 195.2+1193% | 15.1 |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2011 |
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