Xeon Bronze 3106 vs Xeon E3-1220 v5

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.

Xeon Bronze 3106 vs Xeon E3-1220 v5 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.

Xeon Bronze 3106 vs Xeon E3-1220 v5: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon Bronze 3106

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +30.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+37.5% larger total L3 cache (11 MB vs 8 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.6 vs 28.1 PassMark/$ ($395 MSRP vs $203 MSRP).

Xeon E3-1220 v5

2015

Why buy it

✅Costs $192 less on MSRP ($203 MSRP vs $395 MSRP).
✅Delivers 93.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 28.1 vs 14.6 PassMark/$ ($203 MSRP vs $395 MSRP).
✅Draws 80W instead of 85W, a 5W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Bronze 3106 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,713 vs 5,753).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 11 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Bronze 3106 better than Xeon E3-1220 v5?

Yes. Xeon Bronze 3106 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 30.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.7% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon Bronze 3106 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 30.4% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Bronze 3106 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 37.5% larger total L3 cache (11 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Xeon Bronze 3106 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E3-1220 v5 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon Bronze 3106 comes in 94.6% more expensive on MSRP at $395 MSRP versus $203 MSRP, and it still gives you a 30.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E3-1220 v5 is also 93.2% better value on MSRP (28.1 vs 14.6 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Xeon Bronze 3106 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2015), 37.5% larger total L3 cache (11 MB vs 8 MB), more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/4, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon Bronze 3106 vs Xeon E3-1220 v5 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon Bronze 3106

The Xeon Bronze 3106 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 July 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 11 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 85 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 5,753 points. Launch price was $306.

Xeon E3-1220 v5

The Xeon E3-1220 v5 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-DT (2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866/2133, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 5,713 points. Launch price was $203.

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Processing Power

The Xeon Bronze 3106 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E3-1220 v5 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon Bronze 3106 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Xeon Bronze 3106 versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220 v5 — a 15.4% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1220 v5 (base: 1.7 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Xeon Bronze 3106 uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1220 v5 uses Skylake-DT (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Bronze 3106 scores 5,753 against the Xeon E3-1220 v5's 5,713 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon Bronze 3106. L3 cache: 11 MB (total) on the Xeon Bronze 3106 vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1220 v5.

Feature	Xeon Bronze 3106	Xeon E3-1220 v5
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+100%	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3 GHz	3.5 GHz+17%
Base Clock	1.7 GHz	3 GHz+76%
L3 Cache	11 MB (total)+38%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Skylake-DT (2015)
PassMark	5,753	5,713

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon Bronze 3106 uses the LGA3647 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1220 v5 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon Bronze 3106	Xeon E3-1220 v5
Socket	LGA3647	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	768	—
RAM Channels	6	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	48	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Bronze 3106) / not specified (Xeon E3-1220 v5).

Feature	Xeon Bronze 3106	Xeon E3-1220 v5
Integrated GPU	No	—
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	Yes	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon Bronze 3106 was priced at $395, while the Xeon E3-1220 v5 came in at $203. On launch pricing ($395 vs $203), Xeon E3-1220 v5 was $192 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Bronze 3106 delivers 14.6 pts/$ vs 28.1 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1220 v5 — making the Xeon E3-1220 v5 the 63.6% better value option.

Feature	Xeon Bronze 3106	Xeon E3-1220 v5
MSRP	$395	$203-49%
Performance per Dollar	14.6	28.1+92%
Release Date	2017	2015

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