Core i7-6770HQ vs Xeon E3-1231 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 i7-6770HQ vs Xeon E3-1231 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 i7-6770HQ vs Xeon E3-1231 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 i7-6770HQ

2016

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 45W instead of 80W, a 35W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Iris Pro Graphics 580, while Xeon E3-1231 v3 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E3-1231 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Xeon E3-1231 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,031 vs 7,083).
❌77.8% higher power demand at 80W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-6770HQ can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-6770HQ better than Xeon E3-1231 v3?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1231 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-6770HQ 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 i7-6770HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-6770HQ still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-6770HQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark.

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

Core i7-6770HQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2014) 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 i7-6770HQ vs Xeon E3-1231 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-6770HQ

The Core i7-6770HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 January 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,083 points. Launch price was $434.

Xeon E3-1231 v3

The Xeon E3-1231 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 7,031 points. Launch price was $240.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-6770HQ and Xeon E3-1231 v3 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i7-6770HQ versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E3-1231 v3 — a 8.2% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1231 v3 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i7-6770HQ uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1231 v3 uses Haswell-WS (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-6770HQ scores 7,083 against the Xeon E3-1231 v3's 7,031 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i7-6770HQ. L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i7-6770HQ vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1231 v3.

Feature	Core i7-6770HQ	Xeon E3-1231 v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	3.8 GHz+9%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	3.4 GHz+31%
L3 Cache	6 MB	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	1 MB	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)
PassMark	7,083	7,031
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,769	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-6770HQ uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1231 v3 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-6770HQ	Xeon E3-1231 v3
Socket	BGA1440	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	64	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i7-6770HQ) / not specified (Xeon E3-1231 v3). The Core i7-6770HQ includes integrated graphics (Intel Iris Pro Graphics 580), while the Xeon E3-1231 v3 requires a dedicated GPU.