Core i5-6402P vs Xeon E3-1225 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 i5-6402P vs Xeon E3-1225 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 i5-6402P vs Xeon E3-1225 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 i5-6402P

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $42 less on MSRP ($182 MSRP vs $224 MSRP).
✅Delivers 23.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 29.4 vs 23.8 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $224 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 84W, a 19W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E3-1225 v3, which brings 4 cores / 4 threads and 16 PCIe lanes.
❌No integrated graphics, while Xeon E3-1225 v3 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Xeon E3-1225 v3

2013

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 4 threads, plus 16 PCIe lanes vs 0.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics P4600, while Core i5-6402P needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,324 vs 5,343).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 23.8 vs 29.4 PassMark/$ ($224 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
❌29.2% higher power demand at 84W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-6402P better than Xeon E3-1225 v3?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1225 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-6402P 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 i5-6402P is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-6402P is the better buy right now. Core i5-6402P comes in $42 cheaper on MSRP at $182 MSRP versus $224 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E3-1225 v3 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 23.5% better value on MSRP (29.4 vs 23.8 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-6402P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-6402P vs Xeon E3-1225 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-6402P

The Core i5-6402P is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 December 2015 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866/2133, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 5,343 points. Launch price was $187.

Xeon E3-1225 v3

The Xeon E3-1225 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 84 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,324 points. Launch price was $384.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-6402P and Xeon E3-1225 v3 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i5-6402P versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E3-1225 v3 — a 5.7% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1225 v3 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i5-6402P uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1225 v3 uses Haswell-WS (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6402P scores 5,343 against the Xeon E3-1225 v3's 5,324 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-6402P. L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i5-6402P vs 8192 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1225 v3.

Feature	Core i5-6402P	Xeon E3-1225 v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	3.6 GHz+6%
Base Clock	2.8 GHz	3.2 GHz+14%
L3 Cache	6 MB	8192 kB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	1 MB+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)
PassMark	5,343	5,324
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	2,000
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,108
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	3,324

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-6402P uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1225 v3 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-6402P	Xeon E3-1225 v3
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-6402P) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E3-1225 v3). The Xeon E3-1225 v3 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics P4600), while the Core i5-6402P requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon E3-1225 v3 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon E3-1225 v3 rivals Core i5-4570.

Feature	Core i5-6402P	Xeon E3-1225 v3
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	HD Graphics P4600
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Workstation

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-6402P was priced at $182, while the Xeon E3-1225 v3 came in at $224. On launch pricing ($182 vs $224), Core i5-6402P was $42 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-6402P delivers 29.4 pts/$ vs 23.8 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1225 v3 — making the Core i5-6402P the 21% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-6402P	Xeon E3-1225 v3
MSRP	$182-19%	$224
Performance per Dollar	29.4+24%	23.8
Release Date	2015	2013

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