Core i7-990X 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 i7-990X 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 i7-990X 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 i7-990X

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E3-1245 v3, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads and 16 PCIe lanes.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.1 vs 14.4 PassMark/$ ($999 MSRP vs $490 MSRP).
❌54.8% higher power demand at 130W vs 84W.
❌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 workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads, plus 16 PCIe lanes vs 0.
✅Costs $509 less on MSRP ($490 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 101.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 14.4 vs 7.1 PassMark/$ ($490 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
✅Draws 84W instead of 130W, a 46W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-990X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (7,036 vs 7,135).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-990X better than Xeon E3-1245 v3?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1245 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-990X 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 i7-990X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.2% 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, Core i7-990X is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Core i7-990X is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E3-1245 v3 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-990X comes in 103.9% more expensive on MSRP at $999 MSRP versus $490 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E3-1245 v3 is also 101.0% better value on MSRP (14.4 vs 7.1 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Xeon E3-1245 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-990X vs Xeon E3-1245 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-990X

The Core i7-990X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Gulftown (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.46 GHz, with boost up to 3.73 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: 7,135 points. Launch price was $1,104.

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

The Core i7-990X packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E3-1245 v3 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-990X has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.73 GHz on the Core i7-990X versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E3-1245 v3 — a 1.9% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1245 v3 (base: 3.46 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i7-990X uses the Gulftown (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E3-1245 v3 uses Haswell-WS (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-990X scores 7,135 against the Xeon E3-1245 v3's 7,036 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i7-990X. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-990X vs 8192 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1245 v3.

Feature	Core i7-990X	Xeon E3-1245 v3
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.73 GHz	3.8 GHz+2%
Base Clock	3.46 GHz+2%	3.4 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+50%	8192 kB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Gulftown (2010−2011)	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)
PassMark	7,135+1%	7,036
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,203
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	3,820

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-990X uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E3-1245 v3 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-990X	Xeon E3-1245 v3
Socket	LGA1366	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
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 i7-990X) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E3-1245 v3). The Xeon E3-1245 v3 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics P4600), while the Core i7-990X requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i7-990X	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 i7-990X was priced at $999, while the Xeon E3-1245 v3 came in at $490. On launch pricing ($999 vs $490), Xeon E3-1245 v3 was $509 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-990X delivers 7.1 pts/$ vs 14.4 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1245 v3 — making the Xeon E3-1245 v3 the 67.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-990X	Xeon E3-1245 v3
MSRP	$999	$490-51%
Performance per Dollar	7.1	14.4+103%
Release Date	2011	2013

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