Ryzen 5 1400 vs Xeon E3-1270L v4

AMD

Ryzen 5 1400

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2017
VS
Intel

Xeon E3-1270L v4

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2015

Ryzen 5 1400 vs Xeon E3-1270L v4 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.

Ryzen 5 1400 vs Xeon E3-1270L v4 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 5 1400 vs Xeon E3-1270L v4: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Ryzen 5 1400

2017

Why buy it

  • βœ…+0.9% higher PassMark.
  • βœ…+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
  • βœ…Costs $412 less on MSRP ($169 MSRP vs $581 MSRP).
  • βœ…Delivers 246.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 45.7 vs 13.2 PassMark/$ ($169 MSRP vs $581 MSRP).
  • βœ…50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • ❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.

Xeon E3-1270L v4

2015

Why buy it

  • βœ…Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark (7,662 vs 7,731).
  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
  • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.2 vs 45.7 PassMark/$ ($581 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 1400 better than Xeon E3-1270L v4?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1270L v4 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 5 1400 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 5 1400 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 5 1400 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 1400 comes in $412 cheaper on MSRP at $169 MSRP versus $581 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E3-1270L v4 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 246.9% better value on MSRP (45.7 vs 13.2 PassMark/$), 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 5 1400 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2015), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Ryzen 5 1400 vs Xeon E3-1270L v4 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Ryzen 5 1400

The Ryzen 5 1400 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 11 April 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Zen (2017βˆ’2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 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: 7,731 points. Launch price was $169.

Intel

Xeon E3-1270L v4

The Xeon E3-1270L v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Broadwell-DT (2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600, DDR3L-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 7,662 points. Launch price was $800.

⚑

Processing Power

Both the Ryzen 5 1400 and Xeon E3-1270L v4 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 1400 versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E3-1270L v4 β€” a 5.7% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1270L v4 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Ryzen 5 1400 uses the Zen (2017βˆ’2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1270L v4 uses Broadwell-DT (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 1400 scores 7,731 against the Xeon E3-1270L v4's 7,662 β€” a 0.9% lead for the Ryzen 5 1400. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 1400 vs 6 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1270L v4.

FeatureRyzen 5 1400Xeon E3-1270L v4
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
4 / 8
Boost Clock
3.4 GHz
3.6 GHz+6%
Base Clock
3.2 GHz+7%
3 GHz
L3 Cache
8 MB (total)+33%
6 MB (total)
L2 Cache
512K (per core)+100%
256K (per core)
Process
14 nm
14 nm
Architecture
Zen (2017βˆ’2020)
Broadwell-DT (2015)
PassMark
7,731
7,662
Geekbench 6 Single
β€”
1,289
Geekbench 6 Multi
β€”
4,271
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 5 1400 uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1270L v4 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Ryzen 5 1400 versus DDR3-1866 on the Xeon E3-1270L v4 β€” the Ryzen 5 1400 supports 42.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 5 1400 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB β€” 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 24 (Ryzen 5 1400) vs 16 (Xeon E3-1270L v4) β€” the Ryzen 5 1400 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 5 1400) and C226 (Xeon E3-1270L v4).

FeatureRyzen 5 1400Xeon E3-1270L v4
Socket
AM4
LGA1150
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666+43%
DDR3-1866
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB+100%
32 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
24+50%
16
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Ryzen 5 1400) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E3-1270L v4). Primary use case: Xeon E3-1270L v4 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon E3-1270L v4 rivals Core i7-4790T.

FeatureRyzen 5 1400Xeon E3-1270L v4
Integrated GPU
No
No
Unlocked
β€”
No
AVX-512
β€”
No
Virtualization
β€”
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
β€”
Workstation
πŸ’°

Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 5 1400 was priced at $169, while the Xeon E3-1270L v4 came in at $581. On launch pricing ($169 vs $581), Ryzen 5 1400 was $412 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 1400 delivers 45.7 pts/$ vs 13.2 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1270L v4 β€” making the Ryzen 5 1400 the 110.5% better value option.

FeatureRyzen 5 1400Xeon E3-1270L v4
MSRP
$169-71%
$581
Performance per Dollar
45.7+246%
13.2
Release Date
2017
2015

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