Xeon E3-1220L v3 vs Xeon E3120

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 v3 vs Xeon E3120 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 v3 vs Xeon E3120: 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 v3

2013

Why buy it

✅Draws 16W instead of 65W, a 49W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E3120 across 48 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,407 vs 1,408).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $193 MSRP, while Xeon E3120 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E3120

2008

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.2% higher average FPS across 48 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌306.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 16W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3120 better than Xeon E3-1220L v3?

Yes. Xeon E3120 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.2% average FPS lead across 48 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E3120 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.2% more average FPS across 48 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3120 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

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

Xeon E3120 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E3-1220L v3 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E3120 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $193 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.2% average FPS lead across 48 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E3-1220L v3 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (7.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2008). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E3-1220L v3 vs Xeon E3120 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E3-1220L v3

The Xeon E3-1220L v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 1.5 GHz. L3 cache: 4096 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 13 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 1,407 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon E3120

The Xeon E3120 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. Base frequency: 3.16 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,408 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1220L v3 is built on the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1220L v3 scores 1,407 against the Xeon E3120's 1,408 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E3120. L3 cache: 4096 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1220L v3 vs 6 MB L2 Cache on the Xeon E3120.

Feature	Xeon E3-1220L v3	Xeon E3120
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	—
Boost Clock	1.5 GHz	—
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	3.16 GHz+187%
L3 Cache	4096 kB (total)	6 MB L2 Cache+50%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	—
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)	—
PassMark	1,407	1,408

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1220L v3 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3120 uses LGA775 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E3-1220L v3	Xeon E3120
Socket	LGA1150	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—