Core i7-980 vs Xeon E3-1265L v4

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 i7-980 vs Xeon E3-1265L v4 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 i7-980 vs Xeon E3-1265L v4: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-980

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,890 vs 6,954).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E3-1265L v4, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads and 16 PCIe lanes.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.8 vs 16.7 PassMark/$ ($583 MSRP vs $417 MSRP).
❌271.4% higher power demand at 130W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Xeon E3-1265L v4 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Xeon E3-1265L v4

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads, plus 16 PCIe lanes vs 0.
✅Costs $166 less on MSRP ($417 MSRP vs $583 MSRP).
✅Delivers 41.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 16.7 vs 11.8 PassMark/$ ($417 MSRP vs $583 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 130W, a 95W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-980 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 12 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1265L v4 better than Core i7-980?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1265L v4 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-980 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, Xeon E3-1265L v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1265L v4 is the better buy right now. Xeon E3-1265L v4 comes in $166 cheaper on MSRP at $417 MSRP versus $583 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-980 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 41.1% better value on MSRP (16.7 vs 11.8 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Xeon E3-1265L v4 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-980 vs Xeon E3-1265L v4 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-980

The Core i7-980 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Gulftown (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.33 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,890 points. Launch price was $1,109.

Xeon E3-1265L v4

The Xeon E3-1265L v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Broadwell-DT (2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600, DDR3L-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 6,954 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-980 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E3-1265L v4 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-980 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-980 versus 3.3 GHz on the Xeon E3-1265L v4 — a 8.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-980 (base: 3.33 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i7-980 uses the Gulftown (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E3-1265L v4 uses Broadwell-DT (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-980 scores 6,890 against the Xeon E3-1265L v4's 6,954 — a 0.9% lead for the Xeon E3-1265L v4. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-980 vs 6 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1265L v4.

Feature	Core i7-980	Xeon E3-1265L v4
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+9%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	3.33 GHz+45%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+100%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Gulftown (2010−2011)	Broadwell-DT (2015)
PassMark	6,890	6,954
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	4,500
Geekbench 6 Single	—	900
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	3,000

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-980 uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E3-1265L v4 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-980	Xeon E3-1265L v4
Socket	LGA1366	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 5.0+150%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1866
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-980) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E3-1265L v4). The Xeon E3-1265L v4 includes integrated graphics (Iris Pro Graphics P6300), while the Core i7-980 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon E3-1265L v4 targets Server.

Feature	Core i7-980	Xeon E3-1265L v4
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Iris Pro Graphics P6300
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Server

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-980 was priced at $583, while the Xeon E3-1265L v4 came in at $417. On launch pricing ($583 vs $417), Xeon E3-1265L v4 was $166 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-980 delivers 11.8 pts/$ vs 16.7 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1265L v4 — making the Xeon E3-1265L v4 the 34.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-980	Xeon E3-1265L v4
MSRP	$583	$417-28%
Performance per Dollar	11.8	16.7+42%
Release Date	2011	2015

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