Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 vs Xeon E3-1280
Ryzen 3 PRO 1200
Xeon E3-1280
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 Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 is positioned at rank 255 and the Xeon E3-1280 is on rank 517, so the Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 3 PRO 1200
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1280
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 | Xeon E3-1280 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($80) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Zen (2017−2020) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 | Xeon E3-1280 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($80) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 and Xeon E3-1280
Ryzen 3 PRO 1200
The Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 29 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Zen (2017−2020) 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 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 5,609 points. Launch price was $149.
Xeon E3-1280
The Xeon E3-1280 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 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,612 points. Launch price was $450.
Processing Power
The Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Xeon E3-1280's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E3-1280 — a 13.7% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1280 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 uses the Zen (2017−2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1280 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 scores 5,609 against the Xeon E3-1280's 5,612 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E3-1280. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 | Xeon E3-1280 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.4 GHz | 3.9 GHz+15% |
| Base Clock | 3.1 GHz | 3.5 GHz+13% |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | 8 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 512K (per core)+100% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm-56% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Zen (2017−2020) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 5,609 | 5,612 |
Memory & Platform
The Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1280 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 | Xeon E3-1280 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM4 | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 and Xeon E3-1280
