Core i7-3770S vs Xeon E3-1265L 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 i7-3770S vs Xeon E3-1265L 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 i7-3770S vs Xeon E3-1265L 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 i7-3770S

2012

Why buy it

✅Costs $44 less on MSRP ($250 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
✅Delivers 17.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 24.7 vs 21.0 PassMark/$ ($250 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Xeon E3-1265L v3.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (694 vs 996).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (2,303 vs 3,458).
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.

Xeon E3-1265L v3

2013

Why buy it

✅+43.5% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 21.0 vs 24.7 PassMark/$ ($294 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-3770S.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1265L v3 better than Core i7-3770S?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1265L v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-3770S 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 E3-1265L v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.6% 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 E3-1265L v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 50.2% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1265L v3 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Xeon E3-1265L v3 comes in 17.6% more expensive on MSRP at $294 MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-3770S only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 17.3% better value on paper (24.7 vs 21.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

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

Xeon E3-1265L v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-3770S vs Xeon E3-1265L v3 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-3770S

The Core i7-3770S 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 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,173 points. Launch price was $330.

Xeon E3-1265L v3

The Xeon E3-1265L 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 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,187 points. Launch price was $710.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-3770S and Xeon E3-1265L v3 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-3770S versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon E3-1265L v3 — a 5.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-3770S (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i7-3770S uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E3-1265L v3 uses Haswell-WS (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3770S scores 6,173 against the Xeon E3-1265L v3's 6,187 — a 0.2% lead for the Xeon E3-1265L v3. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 694 vs 996, a 35.7% lead for the Xeon E3-1265L v3 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 2,303 vs 3,458 (40.1% advantage for the Xeon E3-1265L v3). Both processors carry 8192 kB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-3770S	Xeon E3-1265L v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+5%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+24%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	8192 kB (total)	8192 kB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)
PassMark	6,173	6,187
Cinebench R23 Multi	4,500	—
Geekbench 6 Single	694	996+44%
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,303	3,458+50%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3770S uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1265L v3 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1600 memory speed. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Z77,H77,B75,Z68,P67,H67 (Core i7-3770S) and C220 Series,Intel 80 Series (Xeon E3-1265L v3).

Feature	Core i7-3770S	Xeon E3-1265L v3
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-3770S) vs Yes (Xeon E3-1265L v3). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 4000 (Core i7-3770S) and HD Graphics P4600 (Xeon E3-1265L v3) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-3770S targets Budget, Xeon E3-1265L v3 targets Server.

Feature	Core i7-3770S	Xeon E3-1265L v3
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 4000	HD Graphics P4600
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	Yes
Target Use	Budget	Server

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-3770S was priced at $250, while the Xeon E3-1265L v3 came in at $294. On launch pricing ($250 vs $294), Core i7-3770S was $44 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-3770S delivers 24.7 pts/$ vs 21.0 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1265L v3 — making the Core i7-3770S the 16% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-3770S	Xeon E3-1265L v3
MSRP	$250-15%	$294
Performance per Dollar	24.7+18%	21.0
Release Date	2012	2013

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