Xeon E3-1220 v3 vs Xeon Platinum 8260L

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 Platinum 8260L 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 Platinum 8260L: 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

✅+1.5% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $7,297 less on MSRP ($203 MSRP vs $7,500 MSRP).
✅Delivers 3648.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 25.5 vs 0.7 PassMark/$ ($203 MSRP vs $7,500 MSRP).
✅Draws 80W instead of 165W, a 85W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Platinum 8260L across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 36 MB).

Xeon Platinum 8260L

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +31.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+346.9% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 8 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,103 vs 5,178).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 0.7 vs 25.5 PassMark/$ ($7,500 MSRP vs $203 MSRP).
❌106.3% higher power demand at 165W vs 80W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1220 v3 better than Xeon Platinum 8260L?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon Platinum 8260L is ahead with a 31.1% 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 1.5% better PassMark. Xeon Platinum 8260L also has the bigger cache pool with 346.9% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 8 MB).

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 1.5% 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 $7,297 cheaper on MSRP at $203 MSRP versus $7,500 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon Platinum 8260L is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 31.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 3648.9% better value on MSRP (25.5 vs 0.7 PassMark/$), 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 Platinum 8260L makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2013) and 346.9% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 8 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E3-1220 v3 vs Xeon Platinum 8260L 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 Platinum 8260L

The Xeon Platinum 8260L is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 35.75 MB. L2 cache: 24 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 5,103 points. Launch price was $12,599.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1220 v3 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon Platinum 8260L offers 24 cores / 48 threads — the Xeon Platinum 8260L has 20 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220 v3 versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon Platinum 8260L — a 10.8% clock advantage for the Xeon Platinum 8260L (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Xeon E3-1220 v3 uses the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon Platinum 8260L uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1220 v3 scores 5,178 against the Xeon Platinum 8260L's 5,103 — a 1.5% lead for the Xeon E3-1220 v3. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1220 v3 vs 35.75 MB on the Xeon Platinum 8260L.

Feature	Xeon E3-1220 v3	Xeon Platinum 8260L
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	24 / 48+500%
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	3.9 GHz+11%
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+29%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	8192 kB (total)	35.75 MB+347%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	24 MB+9500%
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark	5,178+1%	5,103

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1220 v3 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Platinum 8260L uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E3-1220 v3	Xeon Platinum 8260L
Socket	LGA1150	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	2933
Max RAM Capacity	—	4608
RAM Channels	—	6
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	48

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E3-1220 v3) / true (Xeon Platinum 8260L).

Feature	Xeon E3-1220 v3	Xeon Platinum 8260L
Integrated GPU	—	No
Virtualization	—	true

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E3-1220 v3 was priced at $203, while the Xeon Platinum 8260L came in at $7500. On launch pricing ($203 vs $7500), Xeon E3-1220 v3 was $7297 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1220 v3 delivers 25.5 pts/$ vs 0.7 pts/$ for the Xeon Platinum 8260L — making the Xeon E3-1220 v3 the 189.6% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E3-1220 v3	Xeon Platinum 8260L
MSRP	$203-97%	$7500
Performance per Dollar	25.5+3543%	0.7
Release Date	2013	2019

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