Xeon E3-1220L v2 vs Xeon E5440

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 E3-1220L v2 vs Xeon E5440 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 E3-1220L v2 vs Xeon E5440: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Xeon E3-1220L v2

2012

Why buy it

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 17W instead of 80W, a 63W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5440 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).

Xeon E5440

2007

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,367 vs 2,397).
❌Launch MSRP is still $690 MSRP, while Xeon E3-1220L v2 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌370.6% higher power demand at 80W vs 17W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1220L v2 better than Xeon E5440?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5440 is ahead with a 3.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1220L v2 pulls ahead with 1.3% better PassMark. Xeon E5440 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1220L v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1220L v2 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5440 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E3-1220L v2 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $690 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5440 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E5440 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (3.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Xeon E3-1220L v2 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2007) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E3-1220L v2 vs Xeon E5440 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E3-1220L v2

The Xeon E3-1220L v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,397 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon E5440

The Xeon E5440 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 November 2007 (18 years ago). It is based on the Harpertown (2007−2008) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.83 GHz, with boost up to 0.83 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA771. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3 Depends on motherboard. Passmark benchmark score: 2,367 points. Launch price was $690.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1220L v2 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E5440 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon E5440 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220L v2 versus 0.83 GHz on the Xeon E5440 — a 123.3% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1220L v2 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 2.83 GHz). The Xeon E3-1220L v2 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5440 uses Harpertown (2007−2008) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1220L v2 scores 2,397 against the Xeon E5440's 2,367 — a 1.3% lead for the Xeon E3-1220L v2. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1220L v2 vs 12 MB L2 Cache on the Xeon E5440.

Feature	Xeon E3-1220L v2	Xeon E5440
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz+322%	0.83 GHz
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	2.83 GHz+23%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	12 MB L2 Cache+50%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	6 MB (total)+2300%
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Harpertown (2007−2008)
PassMark	2,397+1%	2,367

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1220L v2 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5440 uses LGA771 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.