Xeon D-1527 vs Xeon E3-1235

Intel

Xeon D-1527

4 Cores8 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.7 GHz2015
Similar parts
·······
VS
Intel

Xeon E3-1235

4 Cores8 Thrd95 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2011
Similar parts
·······

Xeon D-1527 vs Xeon E3-1235 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.

Xeon D-1527 vs Xeon E3-1235 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 E3-1235: 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: +3.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 35W instead of 95W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (1.5 MB vs 8 MB).

Xeon E3-1235

2011

Why buy it

  • +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.
  • Lower PassMark (5,112 vs 5,137).
  • Launch MSRP is still $240 MSRP, while Xeon D-1527 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 171.4% higher power demand at 95W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon D-1527 better than Xeon E3-1235?
Yes. Xeon D-1527 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.5% 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 D-1527 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.2% 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 D-1527 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon D-1527 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E3-1235 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon D-1527 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $240 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E3-1235 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (21.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2011) 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-1527 vs Xeon E3-1235 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

Intel

Xeon E3-1235

The Xeon E3-1235 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 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 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: 5,112 points. Launch price was $287.

Processing Power

Both the Xeon D-1527 and Xeon E3-1235 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Xeon D-1527 versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E3-1235 — a 28.6% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1235 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Xeon D-1527 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1235 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon D-1527 scores 5,137 against the Xeon E3-1235's 5,112 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon D-1527. L3 cache: 1.5 MB (per core) on the Xeon D-1527 vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1235.

FeatureXeon D-1527Xeon E3-1235
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
4 / 8
Boost Clock
2.7 GHz
3.6 GHz+33%
Base Clock
2.2 GHz
3.2 GHz+45%
L3 Cache
1.5 MB (per core)
8 MB (total)+433%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
256 kB (per core)
Process
14 nm-56%
32 nm
Architecture
Broadwell (2015−2019)
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark
5,137
5,112
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon D-1527 uses the FCBGA1667 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1235 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureXeon D-1527Xeon E3-1235
Socket
FCBGA1667
LGA1155
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0