Xeon D-1521 vs Xeon E3-1240L v3

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 D-1521 vs Xeon E3-1240L 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.

Xeon D-1521 vs Xeon E3-1240L v3: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon D-1521

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (1.5 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $199 MSRP, while Xeon E3-1240L v3 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌80% higher power demand at 45W vs 25W.

Xeon E3-1240L v3

2014

Why buy it

✅+433.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 1.5 MB).
✅Draws 25W instead of 45W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,681 vs 5,703).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon D-1521 better than Xeon E3-1240L v3?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E3-1240L v3 is ahead with a 1.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon D-1521 pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. Xeon E3-1240L v3 also has the bigger cache pool with 433.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 1.5 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon D-1521 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon D-1521 is the better buy right now. Xeon D-1521 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $199 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E3-1240L v3 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (28.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 D-1521 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2014) 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.

Xeon D-1521 vs Xeon E3-1240L v3 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon D-1521

The Xeon D-1521 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 November 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 1.5 MB (per core). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1667. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,703 points. Launch price was $199.

Xeon E3-1240L v3

The Xeon E3-1240L v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 5,681 points. Launch price was $278.

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Processing Power

Both the Xeon D-1521 and Xeon E3-1240L v3 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Xeon D-1521 versus 3 GHz on the Xeon E3-1240L v3 — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1240L v3 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Xeon D-1521 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1240L v3 uses Haswell-WS (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon D-1521 scores 5,703 against the Xeon E3-1240L v3's 5,681 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon D-1521. L3 cache: 1.5 MB (per core) on the Xeon D-1521 vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1240L v3.

Feature	Xeon D-1521	Xeon E3-1240L v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz	3 GHz+11%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz+20%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	1.5 MB (per core)	8 MB (total)+433%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)
PassMark	5,703	5,681

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon D-1521 uses the FCBGA1667 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1240L v3 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.