Xeon E3-1220 v3 vs Xeon E3-1235
Xeon E3-1220 v3
Xeon E3-1235
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Xeon E3-1220 v3 is positioned at rank 548 and the Xeon E3-1235 is on rank 607, so the Xeon E3-1220 v3 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1220 v3
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1235
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E3-1220 v3 | Xeon E3-1235 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($89) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($270) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell-WS (2013−2014) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E3-1220 v3 | Xeon E3-1235 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+207%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($89) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($270) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E3-1220 v3 and Xeon E3-1235
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 E3-1235
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
The Xeon E3-1220 v3 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Xeon E3-1235's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220 v3 versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E3-1235 — a 2.8% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1235 (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 E3-1235 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1220 v3 scores 5,178 against the Xeon E3-1235's 5,112 — a 1.3% 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 E3-1235.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1220 v3 | Xeon E3-1235 |
|---|---|---|
| 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+1% | 5,112 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E3-1220 v3 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1235 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1220 v3 | Xeon E3-1235 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1150 | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E3-1220 v3 launched at $203 MSRP, while the Xeon E3-1235 debuted at $240. At current prices ($89 vs $270), the Xeon E3-1220 v3 is $181 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1220 v3 delivers 58.2 pts/$ vs 18.9 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1235 — making the Xeon E3-1220 v3 the 101.8% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1220 v3 | Xeon E3-1235 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $203-15% | $240 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $89-67% | $270 |
| Performance per Dollar | 58.2+208% | 18.9 |
| Release Date | 2013 | 2011 |
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