Xeon D-1557 vs Xeon E3-1275 v6

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-1557 vs Xeon E3-1275 v6 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-1557 vs Xeon E3-1275 v6: 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-1557

2016

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 45W instead of 73W, a 28W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Xeon E3-1275 v6

2017

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (9,202 vs 9,285).
❌Launch MSRP is still $499 MSRP, while Xeon D-1557 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌62.2% higher power demand at 73W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1275 v6 better than Xeon D-1557?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E3-1275 v6 is ahead with a 2.0% average FPS lead across 47 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon D-1557 pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark. Xeon E3-1275 v6 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-1557 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1275 v6 is the better buy right now. Xeon E3-1275 v6 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $499 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.0% average FPS lead across 47 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon D-1557 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.9% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (18.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E3-1275 v6 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2016) and 433.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 1.5 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon D-1557 vs Xeon E3-1275 v6 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon D-1557

The Xeon D-1557 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 February 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 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: 9,285 points. Launch price was $694.

Xeon E3-1275 v6

The Xeon E3-1275 v6 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 March 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400, DDR3L-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 9,202 points. Launch price was $339.

⚡

Processing Power

The Xeon D-1557 packs 12 cores / 24 threads, while the Xeon E3-1275 v6 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Xeon D-1557 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Xeon D-1557 versus 4.2 GHz on the Xeon E3-1275 v6 — a 66.7% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1275 v6 (base: 1.5 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Xeon D-1557 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1275 v6 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon D-1557 scores 9,285 against the Xeon E3-1275 v6's 9,202 — a 0.9% lead for the Xeon D-1557. L3 cache: 1.5 MB (per core) on the Xeon D-1557 vs 8 MB on the Xeon E3-1275 v6.

Feature	Xeon D-1557	Xeon E3-1275 v6
Cores / Threads	12 / 24+200%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	2.1 GHz	4.2 GHz+100%
Base Clock	1.5 GHz	3.8 GHz+153%
L3 Cache	1.5 MB (per core)	8 MB+433%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	9,285	9,202

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon D-1557 uses the FCBGA1667 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1275 v6 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.