Xeon D-1527 vs Xeon E3-1220 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-1527 vs Xeon E3-1220 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-1527 vs Xeon E3-1220 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-1527

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +15.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 35W instead of 80W, a 45W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,137 vs 5,178).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (1.5 MB vs 8 MB).

Xeon E3-1220 v3

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅+433.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 1.5 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon D-1527 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $203 MSRP, while Xeon D-1527 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌128.6% higher power demand at 80W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon D-1527 better than Xeon E3-1220 v3?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon D-1527 is ahead with a 15.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1220 v3 pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark. Xeon E3-1220 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 E3-1220 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 433.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 1.5 MB).

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

Xeon D-1527 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E3-1220 v3 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon D-1527 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $203 MSRP, and it still gives you a 15.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E3-1220 v3 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.8% better PassMark. Xeon E3-1220 v3 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (25.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 D-1527 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon D-1527 vs Xeon E3-1220 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon D-1527

The Xeon D-1527 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 2.2 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): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,137 points. Launch price was $213.

Xeon E3-1220 v3

The Xeon E3-1220 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,178 points. Launch price was $239.

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Processing Power

The Xeon D-1527 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Xeon E3-1220 v3's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Xeon D-1527 versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220 v3 — a 25.8% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1220 v3 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Xeon D-1527 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1220 v3 uses Haswell-WS (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon D-1527 scores 5,137 against the Xeon E3-1220 v3's 5,178 — a 0.8% lead for the Xeon E3-1220 v3. L3 cache: 1.5 MB (per core) on the Xeon D-1527 vs 8192 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1220 v3.

Feature	Xeon D-1527	Xeon E3-1220 v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 4
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz	3.5 GHz+30%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	3.1 GHz+41%
L3 Cache	1.5 MB (per core)	8192 kB (total)+433%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)
PassMark	5,137	5,178

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon D-1527 uses the FCBGA1667 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1220 v3 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.