Xeon E3-1220 v3 vs Xeon E5-2643

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 E5-2643 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 E5-2643: 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

✅Costs $1,349 less on MSRP ($203 MSRP vs $1,552 MSRP).
✅Delivers 657.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 25.5 vs 3.4 PassMark/$ ($203 MSRP vs $1,552 MSRP).
✅Draws 80W instead of 130W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2643 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,178 vs 5,228).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 10 MB).

Xeon E5-2643

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +15.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 3.4 vs 25.5 PassMark/$ ($1,552 MSRP vs $203 MSRP).
❌62.5% higher power demand at 130W vs 80W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2643 better than Xeon E3-1220 v3?

Yes. Xeon E5-2643 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 15.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-2643 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 15.6% 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 E5-2643 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2643 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E3-1220 v3 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E5-2643 comes in 664.5% more expensive on MSRP at $1,552 MSRP versus $203 MSRP, and it still gives you a 15.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E3-1220 v3 is also 657.2% better value on MSRP (25.5 vs 3.4 PassMark/$), 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 E3-1220 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E3-1220 v3 vs Xeon E5-2643 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 E5-2643

The Xeon E5-2643 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 10240 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,228 points. Launch price was $218.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1220 v3 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Xeon E5-2643's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220 v3 versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2643 — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Xeon E3-1220 v3 uses the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-2643 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1220 v3 scores 5,178 against the Xeon E5-2643's 5,228 — a 1% lead for the Xeon E5-2643. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1220 v3 vs 10240 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2643.

Feature	Xeon E3-1220 v3	Xeon E5-2643
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz	3.3 GHz+6%
L3 Cache	8192 kB (total)	10240 kB (total)+25%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
PassMark	5,178	5,228

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1220 v3 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2643 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E3-1220 v3	Xeon E5-2643
Socket	LGA1150	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E3-1220 v3 was priced at $203, while the Xeon E5-2643 came in at $1552. On launch pricing ($203 vs $1552), Xeon E3-1220 v3 was $1349 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1220 v3 delivers 25.5 pts/$ vs 3.4 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2643 — making the Xeon E3-1220 v3 the 153.3% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E3-1220 v3	Xeon E5-2643
MSRP	$203-87%	$1552
Performance per Dollar	25.5+650%	3.4
Release Date	2013	2012

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