Xeon E3-1220 v3 vs Xeon W-2102

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 W-2102 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 W-2102: 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

✅Draws 80W instead of 120W, a 40W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌
0.5% HIGHER MSRP
$203 MSRPvs$202 MSRP

Xeon W-2102

2017

Why buy it

✅Costs $1 less on MSRP ($202 MSRP vs $203 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,098 vs 5,178).
❌50% higher power demand at 120W vs 80W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1220 v3 better than Xeon W-2102?

Yes. Xeon E3-1220 v3 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.6% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E3-1220 v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.2% 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 E3-1220 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.6% 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 0.5% more expensive on MSRP at $203 MSRP versus $202 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 1.1% better value on MSRP (25.5 vs 25.2 PassMark/$), 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 W-2102 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E3-1220 v3 vs Xeon W-2102 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 W-2102

The Xeon W-2102 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 August 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8.25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 5,098 points. Launch price was $202.

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Processing Power

Both the Xeon E3-1220 v3 and Xeon W-2102 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220 v3 versus 2.9 GHz on the Xeon W-2102 — a 18.8% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1220 v3 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Xeon E3-1220 v3 uses the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon W-2102 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1220 v3 scores 5,178 against the Xeon W-2102's 5,098 — a 1.6% lead for the Xeon E3-1220 v3. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1220 v3 vs 8.25 MB (total) on the Xeon W-2102.

Feature	Xeon E3-1220 v3	Xeon W-2102
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz+21%	2.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+7%	2.9 GHz
L3 Cache	8192 kB (total)	8.25 MB (total)+3%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	1 MB (per core)+300%
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	5,178+2%	5,098

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1220 v3 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W-2102 uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E3-1220 v3	Xeon W-2102
Socket	LGA1150	LGA2066
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E3-1220 v3 was priced at $203, while the Xeon W-2102 came in at $202. On launch pricing ($203 vs $202), Xeon W-2102 was $1 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1220 v3 delivers 25.5 pts/$ vs 25.2 pts/$ for the Xeon W-2102 — making the Xeon E3-1220 v3 the 1.1% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E3-1220 v3	Xeon W-2102
MSRP	$203	$202
Performance per Dollar	25.5+1%	25.2
Release Date	2013	2017

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