Xeon E3-1220 v5 vs Xeon E3-1240L v3

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 v5 vs Xeon E3-1240L v3 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 v5 vs Xeon E3-1240L v3: 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 v5

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E3-1240L v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $203 MSRP, while Xeon E3-1240L v3 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌220% higher power demand at 80W vs 25W.

Xeon E3-1240L v3

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +17.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 25W instead of 80W, a 55W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,681 vs 5,713).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1220 v5 better than Xeon E3-1240L v3?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E3-1240L v3 is ahead with a 17.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1220 v5 pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1220 v5 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1220 v5 is the better buy right now. Xeon E3-1220 v5 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $203 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E3-1240L v3 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 17.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (28.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 v5 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2014) 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 v5 vs Xeon E3-1240L v3 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E3-1220 v5

The Xeon E3-1220 v5 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-DT (2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866/2133, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 5,713 points. Launch price was $203.

Xeon E3-1240L v3

The Xeon E3-1240L v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 5,681 points. Launch price was $278.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1220 v5 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Xeon E3-1240L v3's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220 v5 versus 3 GHz on the Xeon E3-1240L v3 — a 15.4% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1220 v5 (base: 3 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Xeon E3-1220 v5 uses the Skylake-DT (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1240L v3 uses Haswell-WS (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1220 v5 scores 5,713 against the Xeon E3-1240L v3's 5,681 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon E3-1220 v5. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Xeon E3-1220 v5	Xeon E3-1240L v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz+17%	3 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz+50%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Skylake-DT (2015)	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)
PassMark	5,713	5,681

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1220 v5 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1240L v3 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.