
Core i7-6820EQ vs Xeon E3-1245 v3

Core i7-6820EQ

Xeon E3-1245 v3
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 i7-6820EQ is positioned at rank 822 and the Xeon E3-1245 v3 is on rank 737, so the Xeon E3-1245 v3 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-6820EQ
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1245 v3
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-6820EQ | Xeon E3-1245 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($344) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($490) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell-WS (2013−2014) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-6820EQ | Xeon E3-1245 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+42%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($344) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($490) |
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 i7-6820EQ and Xeon E3-1245 v3

Core i7-6820EQ
The Core i7-6820EQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Max frequency: 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 7,025 points. Launch price was $378.

Xeon E3-1245 v3
The Xeon E3-1245 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 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 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: 7,036 points. Launch price was $320.
Processing Power
Both the Core i7-6820EQ and Xeon E3-1245 v3 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Core i7-6820EQ versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E3-1245 v3 — a 30.3% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1245 v3. The Core i7-6820EQ uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1245 v3 uses Haswell-WS (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-6820EQ scores 7,025 against the Xeon E3-1245 v3's 7,036 — a 0.2% lead for the Xeon E3-1245 v3. L3 cache: 8 MB on the Core i7-6820EQ vs 8192 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1245 v3.
| Feature | Core i7-6820EQ | Xeon E3-1245 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 2.8 GHz | 3.8 GHz+36% |
| Base Clock | — | 3.4 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB | 8192 kB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB+300% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm-36% | 22 nm |
| Architecture | Skylake (2015−2016) | Haswell-WS (2013−2014) |
| PassMark | 7,025 | 7,036 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 1,203 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 3,820 |
Memory & Platform
Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Core i7-6820EQ versus DDR3-1600 on the Xeon E3-1245 v3 — the Core i7-6820EQ supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-6820EQ supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.
| Feature | Core i7-6820EQ | Xeon E3-1245 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | — | LGA1150 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2133+33% | DDR3-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB+100% | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 530 (Core i7-6820EQ) and HD Graphics P4600 (Xeon E3-1245 v3) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-6820EQ targets Embedded.
| Feature | Core i7-6820EQ | Xeon E3-1245 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 530 | HD Graphics P4600 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Embedded | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-6820EQ launched at $378 MSRP, while the Xeon E3-1245 v3 debuted at $490. At current prices ($344 vs $490), the Core i7-6820EQ is $146 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-6820EQ delivers 20.4 pts/$ vs 14.4 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1245 v3 — making the Core i7-6820EQ the 34.9% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-6820EQ | Xeon E3-1245 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $378-23% | $490 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $344-30% | $490 |
| Performance per Dollar | 20.4+42% | 14.4 |
| Release Date | 2015 | 2013 |
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