Xeon E3-1220 v6 vs Xeon E3-1280

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 v6 is positioned at rank 718 and the Xeon E3-1280 is on rank 517, so the Xeon E3-1280 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1220 v6

#1

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

13836%

#6

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

2612%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

2321%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

1793%

#419

Xeon 6736P

MSRP: $3351|Avg: $3351

99%

#420

EPYC 9655P

MSRP: $10811|Avg: $7958

99%

#421

EPYC 9554P

MSRP: $7104|Avg: $3052

98%

#423

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX

MSRP: $6499|Avg: $3444

97%

#424

Xeon W-2155

MSRP: $1440|Avg: $150

96%

#425

Xeon 6740E

MSRP: $5265|Avg: $3949

96%

#718

Xeon E3-1220 v6

MSRP: $372|Avg: $80

100%

#719

Xeon E5-2623 v3

MSRP: $444|Avg: $50

100%

#722

Xeon E5-2620

MSRP: $360|Avg: $89

99%

#728

Xeon E5-2609 v3

MSRP: $306|Avg: $306

97%

#730

Xeon Bronze 3106

MSRP: $395|Avg: $395

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1280

#1

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

7406%

#6

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

1398%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

1242%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

960%

#318

EPYC 7343

MSRP: $1565|Avg: $1350

99%

#319

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX

MSRP: $2399|Avg: $225

99%

#320

EPYC 7413

MSRP: $1825|Avg: $450

99%

#321

Xeon W-3335

MSRP: $1430|Avg: $1200

98%

#322

EPYC 9354P

MSRP: $2730|Avg: $2205

98%

#323

EPYC 9224

MSRP: $1825|Avg: $1199

95%

#324

Xeon Gold 6423N

MSRP: $2161|Avg: $2161

95%

#325

Xeon w7-3565X

MSRP: $2689|Avg: $2850

94%

#517

Xeon E3-1280

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Xeon E3-1220 v6 (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4-2400, DDR3L-1866, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Xeon E3-1220 v6	Xeon E3-1280
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($80)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon E3-1280 (2011) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Xeon E3-1220 v6	Xeon E3-1280
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($80)	✅ More affordable ($0)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Xeon E3-1220 v6 Benchmark Check

Xeon E3-1280 Benchmark Check

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Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E3-1220 v6 and Xeon E3-1280

Xeon E3-1220 v6

The Xeon E3-1220 v6 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 March 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 72 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400, DDR3L-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 5,589 points. Launch price was $193.

Xeon E3-1280

The Xeon E3-1280 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 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 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: 5,612 points. Launch price was $450.

⚡

Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1220 v6 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Xeon E3-1280's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220 v6 versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E3-1280 — a 10.8% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1280 (base: 3 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Xeon E3-1220 v6 uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1280 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1220 v6 scores 5,589 against the Xeon E3-1280's 5,612 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon E3-1280. L3 cache: 8 MB on the Xeon E3-1220 v6 vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1280.

Feature	Xeon E3-1220 v6	Xeon E3-1280
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	3.9 GHz+11%
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.5 GHz+17%
L3 Cache	8 MB	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	5,589	5,612

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1220 v6 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1280 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.