Xeon E3-1220 vs Xeon E5-2603 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 vs Xeon E5-2603 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 vs Xeon E5-2603 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

2011

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 80W instead of 85W, a 5W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2603 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 15 MB).

Xeon E5-2603 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,825 vs 3,859).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1220 better than Xeon E5-2603 v3?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-2603 v3 is ahead with a 7.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1220 pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2603 v3 also has the bigger cache pool with 87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 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 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1220 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E3-1220 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Xeon E5-2603 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2011) and 87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E3-1220 vs Xeon E5-2603 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E3-1220

The Xeon E3-1220 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 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,859 points. Launch price was $395.

Xeon E5-2603 v3

The Xeon E5-2603 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 1.6 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 85 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 3,825 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1220 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E5-2603 v3 offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the Xeon E5-2603 v3 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220 versus 1.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2603 v3 — a 72% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1220 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Xeon E3-1220 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E5-2603 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1220 scores 3,859 against the Xeon E5-2603 v3's 3,825 — a 0.9% lead for the Xeon E3-1220. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1220 vs 15 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2603 v3.

Feature	Xeon E3-1220	Xeon E5-2603 v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 6+50%
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz+112%	1.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+94%	1.6 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	15 MB (total)+88%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	3,859	3,825

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1220 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5-2603 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.