Microsoft SQ1 vs Xeon E3-1225 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.

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 Microsoft SQ1 is positioned at rank 877 and the Xeon E3-1225 v2 is on rank 480, so the Xeon E3-1225 v2 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Microsoft SQ1

#865

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1458%

#866

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1436%

#867

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1318%

#868

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1312%

#869

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1300%

#871

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1256%

#872

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1204%

#873

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1202%

#874

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1170%

#877

Microsoft SQ1

MSRP: $300|Avg: $180

100%

#879

Core i5-6440HQ

MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A

100%

#883

Celeron Dual-Core T1600

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

99%

#884

Athlon II N330

MSRP: $100|Avg: $50

99%

#889

Core i7-7820EQ

MSRP: $378|Avg: $378

98%

#890

Celeron 7305

MSRP: $128|Avg: $107

98%

#891

E-300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $20

97%

#892

Core i7-7820HK

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1225 v2

#1

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

6909%

#6

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

1304%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

1159%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

895%

#303

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

MSRP: $2495|Avg: $2495

100%

#304

EPYC 7352

MSRP: $1350|Avg: $725

99%

#305

Xeon w7-2475X

MSRP: $1789|Avg: $2544

99%

#307

Xeon W-3323

MSRP: $949|Avg: $500

97%

#308

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX

MSRP: $1149|Avg: $100

97%

#480

Xeon E3-1225 v2

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#492

Xeon W-2223

MSRP: $294|Avg: $330

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Microsoft SQ1 (2019) utilizes 7 nm technology and modern memory, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Microsoft SQ1	Xeon E3-1225 v2
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($180)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Cortex-A76 / A55 (Kryo 495) (2019) / 7 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Legacy / Standard Node)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon E3-1225 v2 (2012) relies on older node technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Microsoft SQ1	Xeon E3-1225 v2
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($180)	✅ More affordable ($0)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Microsoft SQ1 Benchmark Check

Xeon E3-1225 v2 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Microsoft SQ1 and Xeon E3-1225 v2

Microsoft SQ1

The Microsoft SQ1 is manufactured by Microsoft. It was released in 2 October 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cortex-A76 / A55 (Kryo 495) (2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Max frequency: 3 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. Built on 7 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): + 2 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 6,039 points. Launch price was $149.

Xeon E3-1225 v2

The Xeon E3-1225 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. Passmark benchmark score: 6,015 points. Launch price was $800.

⚡

Processing Power

The Microsoft SQ1 is built on the Cortex-A76 / A55 (Kryo 495) (2019) architecture. In PassMark, the Microsoft SQ1 scores 6,039 against the Xeon E3-1225 v2's 6,015 — a 0.4% lead for the Microsoft SQ1.