
FX-8300 vs Xeon E3-1240

FX-8300

Xeon E3-1240
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The FX-8300 is positioned at rank 639 and the Xeon E3-1240 is on rank 627, so the Xeon E3-1240 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar FX-8300
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1240
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | FX-8300 | Xeon E3-1240 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) | ✅ More affordable ($39) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Vishera (2012−2015) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | FX-8300 | Xeon E3-1240 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+29%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) | ✅ More affordable ($39) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of FX-8300 and Xeon E3-1240

FX-8300
The FX-8300 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 23 October 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L2 cache: 8192 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,333 points. Launch price was $149.

Xeon E3-1240
The Xeon E3-1240 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 April 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,361 points. Launch price was $209.
Processing Power
The FX-8300 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E3-1240 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the FX-8300 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the FX-8300 versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon E3-1240 — a 12.7% clock advantage for the FX-8300 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The FX-8300 uses the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E3-1240 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the FX-8300 scores 5,333 against the Xeon E3-1240's 5,361 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon E3-1240.
| Feature | FX-8300 | Xeon E3-1240 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 8+100% | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 4.2 GHz+14% | 3.7 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.3 GHz | 3.3 GHz |
| L3 Cache | — | 8 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 8192 kB+3100% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Vishera (2012−2015) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 5,333 | 5,361 |
Memory & Platform
The FX-8300 uses the AM3+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E3-1240 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | FX-8300 | Xeon E3-1240 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3+ | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
Value Analysis
The FX-8300 launched at $197 MSRP, while the Xeon E3-1240 debuted at $273. At current prices ($50 vs $39), the Xeon E3-1240 is $11 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the FX-8300 delivers 106.7 pts/$ vs 137.5 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1240 — making the Xeon E3-1240 the 25.2% better value option.
| Feature | FX-8300 | Xeon E3-1240 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $197-28% | $273 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $50 | $39-22% |
| Performance per Dollar | 106.7 | 137.5+29% |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2011 |
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