Core i7-3615QM vs Xeon E3-1220 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 i7-3615QM vs Xeon E3-1220 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 i7-3615QM vs Xeon E3-1220 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 i7-3615QM

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +16.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 80W, a 35W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,167 vs 5,178).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Xeon E3-1220 v3

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-3615QM across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $203 MSRP, while Core i7-3615QM mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌77.8% higher power demand at 80W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1220 v3 better than Core i7-3615QM?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1220 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-3615QM 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, Xeon E3-1220 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Xeon E3-1220 v3 is the better buy right now. Xeon E3-1220 v3 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $203 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-3615QM is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 16.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (25.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E3-1220 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2012), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-3615QM vs Xeon E3-1220 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-3615QM

The Core i7-3615QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1224. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,167 points. Launch price was $378.

Xeon E3-1220 v3

The Xeon E3-1220 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 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,178 points. Launch price was $239.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-3615QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Xeon E3-1220 v3's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i7-3615QM versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220 v3 — a 5.9% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1220 v3 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i7-3615QM uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E3-1220 v3 uses Haswell-WS (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3615QM scores 5,167 against the Xeon E3-1220 v3's 5,178 — a 0.2% lead for the Xeon E3-1220 v3. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-3615QM vs 8192 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1220 v3.

Feature	Core i7-3615QM	Xeon E3-1220 v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz	3.5 GHz+6%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	3.1 GHz+35%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8192 kB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)
PassMark	5,167	5,178

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3615QM uses the FCBGA1224 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1220 v3 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.