Pentium Dual Core SU4100 vs Xeon E3-1220L v3

Intel

Pentium Dual Core SU4100

2 Cores2 Thrd2 WWMax: 1.3 GHz2009
VS
Intel

Xeon E3-1220L v3

2 Cores4 Thrd16 WWMax: 1.5 GHz2013

Pentium Dual Core SU4100 vs Xeon E3-1220L v3 Performance Spectrum

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.

Pentium Dual Core SU4100 vs Xeon E3-1220L 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.

Pentium Dual Core SU4100 vs Xeon E3-1220L v3: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium Dual Core SU4100

2009

Why buy it

  • βœ…+0.1% higher PassMark.
  • βœ…Costs $59 less on MSRP ($134 MSRP vs $193 MSRP).
  • βœ…Delivers 44.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 10.5 vs 7.3 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $193 MSRP).
  • βœ…Draws 2W instead of 16W, a 14W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E3-1220L v3, which brings 2 cores / 4 threads and 16 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E3-1220L v3

2013

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 2 cores / 4 threads, plus 16 PCIe lanes vs 0.
  • βœ…100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark (1,407 vs 1,409).
  • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.3 vs 10.5 PassMark/$ ($193 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
  • ❌700% higher power demand at 16W vs 2W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium Dual Core SU4100 better than Xeon E3-1220L v3?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1220L v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Pentium Dual Core SU4100 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, Pentium Dual Core SU4100 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Pentium Dual Core SU4100 is the better buy right now. Pentium Dual Core SU4100 comes in $59 cheaper on MSRP at $134 MSRP versus $193 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E3-1220L v3 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 44.2% better value on MSRP (10.5 vs 7.3 PassMark/$), 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 E3-1220L v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Pentium Dual Core SU4100 vs Xeon E3-1220L v3 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Pentium Dual Core SU4100

The Pentium Dual Core SU4100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the NetBurst (2000βˆ’2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.3 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,409 points. Launch price was $69.

Intel

Xeon E3-1220L v3

The Xeon E3-1220L v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-WS (2013βˆ’2014) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 1.5 GHz. L3 cache: 4096 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 13 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 1,407 points. Launch price was $800.

⚑

Processing Power

The Pentium Dual Core SU4100 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Xeon E3-1220L v3's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.3 GHz on the Pentium Dual Core SU4100 versus 1.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220L v3 β€” a 14.3% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1220L v3. The Pentium Dual Core SU4100 uses the NetBurst (2000βˆ’2006) architecture (45 nm), while the Xeon E3-1220L v3 uses Haswell-WS (2013βˆ’2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium Dual Core SU4100 scores 1,409 against the Xeon E3-1220L v3's 1,407 β€” a 0.1% lead for the Pentium Dual Core SU4100.

FeaturePentium Dual Core SU4100Xeon E3-1220L v3
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 4
Boost Clock
1.3 GHz
1.5 GHz+15%
Base Clock
β€”
1.1 GHz
L3 Cache
β€”
4096 kB (total)
L2 Cache
2 MB+700%
256 kB (per core)
Process
45 nm
22 nm-51%
Architecture
NetBurst (2000βˆ’2006)
Haswell-WS (2013βˆ’2014)
PassMark
1,409
1,407
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium Dual Core SU4100 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Xeon E3-1220L v3 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeaturePentium Dual Core SU4100Xeon E3-1220L v3
Socket
BGA956
LGA1150
PCIe Generation
PCIe 1.1
PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed
β€”
DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity
β€”
32 GB
RAM Channels
β€”
2
ECC Support
β€”
Yes
PCIe Lanes
β€”
16
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Pentium Dual Core SU4100) / VT-P (Xeon E3-1220L v3).

FeaturePentium Dual Core SU4100Xeon E3-1220L v3
Integrated GPU
β€”
No
Unlocked
β€”
No
AVX-512
β€”
No
Virtualization
β€”
VT-P
πŸ’°

Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium Dual Core SU4100 was priced at $134, while the Xeon E3-1220L v3 came in at $193. On launch pricing ($134 vs $193), Pentium Dual Core SU4100 was $59 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium Dual Core SU4100 delivers 10.5 pts/$ vs 7.3 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1220L v3 β€” making the Pentium Dual Core SU4100 the 36.2% better value option.

FeaturePentium Dual Core SU4100Xeon E3-1220L v3
MSRP
$134-31%
$193
Performance per Dollar
10.5+44%
7.3
Release Date
2009
2013

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