Core i7-6820HK vs Xeon E3-1245 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 i7-6820HK vs Xeon E3-1245 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 i7-6820HK vs Xeon E3-1245 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 i7-6820HK

2015

Why buy it

✅Costs $112 less on MSRP ($378 MSRP vs $490 MSRP).
✅Delivers 29.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 18.6 vs 14.4 PassMark/$ ($378 MSRP vs $490 MSRP).
✅Draws 45W instead of 84W, a 39W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E3-1245 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (7,012 vs 7,036).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E3-1245 v3, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads and 16 PCIe lanes.
❌No integrated graphics, while Xeon E3-1245 v3 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Xeon E3-1245 v3

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 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 i7-6820HK needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.4 vs 18.6 PassMark/$ ($490 MSRP vs $378 MSRP).
❌86.7% higher power demand at 84W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1245 v3 better than Core i7-6820HK?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1245 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-6820HK 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 E3-1245 v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.6% 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 E3-1245 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1245 v3 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Xeon E3-1245 v3 comes in 29.6% more expensive on MSRP at $490 MSRP versus $378 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-6820HK only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 3.6% in the shared gaming data.

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

Core i7-6820HK makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-6820HK vs Xeon E3-1245 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-6820HK

The Core i7-6820HK is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 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: 7,012 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.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-6820HK and Xeon E3-1245 v3 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-6820HK versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E3-1245 v3 — a 5.4% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1245 v3 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i7-6820HK 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 i7-6820HK scores 7,012 against the Xeon E3-1245 v3's 7,036 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon E3-1245 v3. L3 cache: 8 MB on the Core i7-6820HK vs 8192 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1245 v3.

Feature	Core i7-6820HK	Xeon E3-1245 v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	3.8 GHz+6%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	3.4 GHz+26%
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	7,012	7,036
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,203
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	3,820

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-6820HK uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1245 v3 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-6820HK	Xeon E3-1245 v3
Socket	BGA1440	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 i7-6820HK) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E3-1245 v3). The Xeon E3-1245 v3 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics P4600), while the Core i7-6820HK requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i7-6820HK	Xeon E3-1245 v3
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	HD Graphics P4600
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-6820HK was priced at $378, while the Xeon E3-1245 v3 came in at $490. On launch pricing ($378 vs $490), Core i7-6820HK was $112 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-6820HK delivers 18.6 pts/$ vs 14.4 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1245 v3 — making the Core i7-6820HK the 25.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-6820HK	Xeon E3-1245 v3
MSRP	$378-23%	$490
Performance per Dollar	18.6+29%	14.4
Release Date	2015	2013

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