Core i7-8559U vs Xeon E3-1240 v5

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 i7-8559U vs Xeon E3-1240 v5 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 i7-8559U vs Xeon E3-1240 v5: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i7-8559U

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.1% higher average FPS across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 28W instead of 80W, a 52W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Xeon E3-1240 v5

2015

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8559U across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (8,258 vs 8,274).
❌185.7% higher power demand at 80W vs 28W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-8559U better than Xeon E3-1240 v5?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1240 v5 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-8559U is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-8559U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.1% more average FPS across 49 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-8559U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-8559U still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-8559U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.1% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i7-8559U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2015) 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 i7-8559U vs Xeon E3-1240 v5 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-8559U

The Core i7-8559U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 8,274 points. Launch price was $431.

Xeon E3-1240 v5

The Xeon E3-1240 v5 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-DT (2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151, LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866/2133, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 8,258 points. Launch price was $282.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-8559U and Xeon E3-1240 v5 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-8559U versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E3-1240 v5 — a 14.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-8559U (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i7-8559U uses the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1240 v5 uses Skylake-DT (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-8559U scores 8,274 against the Xeon E3-1240 v5's 8,258 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i7-8559U. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-8559U	Xeon E3-1240 v5
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz+15%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	3.5 GHz+30%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)	Skylake-DT (2015)
PassMark	8,274	8,258

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-8559U uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1240 v5 uses LGA1151, LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.