Ryzen 3 1200 vs Xeon E3-1290 v2

Ryzen 3 1200 vs Xeon E3-1290 v2 Performance Spectrum

Ryzen 3 1200

4 / 4

6,407

+0.8%

Athlon II X4 651

Ryzen Embedded R1606G

FX-8320E

Ryzen 3 3300U

Ryzen Threadripper 2920X

Ryzen 9 5900XT

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

Xeon E3-1290 v2

4 / 8

6,354

0.0%

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.

Ryzen 3 1200 vs Xeon E3-1290 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.

Ryzen 3 1200 vs Xeon E3-1290 v2: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Ryzen 3 1200

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $776 less on MSRP ($109 MSRP vs $885 MSRP).
✅Delivers 718.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 58.8 vs 7.2 PassMark/$ ($109 MSRP vs $885 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 87W, a 22W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E3-1290 v2 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E3-1290 v2, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads.

Xeon E3-1290 v2

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +18.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,354 vs 6,407).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.2 vs 58.8 PassMark/$ ($885 MSRP vs $109 MSRP).
❌33.8% higher power demand at 87W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 3 1200.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 3 1200 better than Xeon E3-1290 v2?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1290 v2 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 3 1200 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, Ryzen 3 1200 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Ryzen 3 1200 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 3 1200 comes in $776 cheaper on MSRP at $109 MSRP versus $885 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E3-1290 v2 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 18.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 718.7% better value on MSRP (58.8 vs 7.2 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Ryzen 3 1200 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Ryzen 3 1200 vs Xeon E3-1290 v2 Technical Specifications

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

Ryzen 3 1200

The Ryzen 3 1200 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 27 July 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Summit Ridge (Zen) (2017) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,407 points. Launch price was $109.

Xeon E3-1290 v2

The Xeon E3-1290 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 87 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,354 points. Launch price was $885.

⚡

Processing Power

The Ryzen 3 1200 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Xeon E3-1290 v2's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Ryzen 3 1200 versus 4.1 GHz on the Xeon E3-1290 v2 — a 18.7% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1290 v2 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Ryzen 3 1200 uses the Summit Ridge (Zen) (2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1290 v2 uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 3 1200 scores 6,407 against the Xeon E3-1290 v2's 6,354 — a 0.8% lead for the Ryzen 3 1200. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Ryzen 3 1200	Xeon E3-1290 v2
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	4.1 GHz+21%
Base Clock	3.1 GHz	3.7 GHz+19%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Summit Ridge (Zen) (2017)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	6,407	6,354
Cinebench R23 Multi	3,013	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,000	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,000	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 3 1200 uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1290 v2 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Ryzen 3 1200	Xeon E3-1290 v2
Socket	AM4	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	24	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (Ryzen 3 1200) / not specified (Xeon E3-1290 v2). Primary use case: Ryzen 3 1200 targets Budget.

Feature	Ryzen 3 1200	Xeon E3-1290 v2
Integrated GPU	No	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	AMD-V	—
Target Use	Budget	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 3 1200 was priced at $109, while the Xeon E3-1290 v2 came in at $885. On launch pricing ($109 vs $885), Ryzen 3 1200 was $776 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 3 1200 delivers 58.8 pts/$ vs 7.2 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1290 v2 — making the Ryzen 3 1200 the 156.5% better value option.

Feature	Ryzen 3 1200	Xeon E3-1290 v2
MSRP	$109-88%	$885
Performance per Dollar	58.8+717%	7.2
Release Date	2017	2012

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