Core m3-7Y30 vs Xeon E3-1220L v2

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 m3-7Y30 vs Xeon E3-1220L v2 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 m3-7Y30 vs Xeon E3-1220L v2: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core m3-7Y30

2016

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 5W instead of 17W, a 13W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (10 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 615, while Xeon E3-1220L v2 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $281 MSRP, while Xeon E3-1220L v2 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E3-1220L v2

2012

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,397 vs 2,418).
❌277.8% higher power demand at 17W vs 4.5W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core m3-7Y30 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core m3-7Y30 better than Xeon E3-1220L v2?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1220L v2 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core m3-7Y30 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, Core m3-7Y30 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core m3-7Y30 is the better buy right now. Core m3-7Y30 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $281 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E3-1220L v2 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (8.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core m3-7Y30 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core m3-7Y30 vs Xeon E3-1220L v2 Technical Specifications

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

Core m3-7Y30

The Core m3-7Y30 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,418 points. Launch price was $281.

Xeon E3-1220L v2

The Xeon E3-1220L v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,397 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

Both the Core m3-7Y30 and Xeon E3-1220L v2 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Core m3-7Y30 versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220L v2 — a 29.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1220L v2 (base: 1 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core m3-7Y30 uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1220L v2 uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core m3-7Y30 scores 2,418 against the Xeon E3-1220L v2's 2,397 — a 0.9% lead for the Core m3-7Y30. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Core m3-7Y30 vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1220L v2.

Feature	Core m3-7Y30	Xeon E3-1220L v2
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz	3.5 GHz+35%
Base Clock	1 GHz	2.3 GHz+130%
L3 Cache	4 MB	8 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,418	2,397
Cinebench R23 Multi	645	—
Geekbench 6 Single	768	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,481	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core m3-7Y30 uses the FCBGA1515 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1220L v2 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core m3-7Y30	Xeon E3-1220L v2
Socket	FCBGA1515	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR3-1866 / DDR3L-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	10	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x / VT-d / EPT (Core m3-7Y30) / not specified (Xeon E3-1220L v2). The Core m3-7Y30 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 615), while the Xeon E3-1220L v2 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core m3-7Y30 targets Ultra-portable.