Xeon E3-1220 v3 vs Xeon E3-1230

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 E3-1220 v3 vs Xeon E3-1230 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 E3-1220 v3 vs Xeon E3-1230: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E3-1220 v3

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E3-1230 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $203 MSRP, while Xeon E3-1230 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E3-1230

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,144 vs 5,178).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1220 v3 better than Xeon E3-1230?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E3-1230 is ahead with a 11.7% 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 0.7% better PassMark.

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 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1220 v3 is the better buy right now. Xeon E3-1220 v3 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $203 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E3-1230 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 11.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (25.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E3-1220 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E3-1220 v3 vs Xeon E3-1230 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Xeon E3-1230

The Xeon E3-1230 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): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,144 points. Launch price was $428.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1220 v3 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Xeon E3-1230's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220 v3 versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E3-1230 — a 2.8% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1230 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Xeon E3-1220 v3 uses the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E3-1230 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1220 v3 scores 5,178 against the Xeon E3-1230's 5,144 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon E3-1220 v3. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1220 v3 vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1230.

Feature	Xeon E3-1220 v3	Xeon E3-1230
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	3.6 GHz+3%
Base Clock	3.1 GHz	3.2 GHz+3%
L3 Cache	8192 kB (total)	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	5,178	5,144

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1220 v3 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1230 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.