
Xeon E3-1225 v3 vs Core i5-6440EQ

Xeon E3-1225 v3

Core i5-6440EQ
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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 E3-1225 v3 is positioned at rank 575 and the Core i5-6440EQ is on rank 765, so the Xeon E3-1225 v3 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1225 v3
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6440EQ
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E3-1225 v3 | Core i5-6440EQ |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($29) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($150) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell-WS (2013−2014) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E3-1225 v3 | Core i5-6440EQ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+417%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($29) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($150) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E3-1225 v3 and Core i5-6440EQ

Xeon E3-1225 v3
The Xeon E3-1225 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 84 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,324 points. Launch price was $384.

Core i5-6440EQ
The Core i5-6440EQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 5,329 points. Launch price was $250.
Processing Power
Both the Xeon E3-1225 v3 and Core i5-6440EQ share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E3-1225 v3 versus 2.7 GHz on the Core i5-6440EQ — a 28.6% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1225 v3. The Xeon E3-1225 v3 uses the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-6440EQ uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1225 v3 scores 5,324 against the Core i5-6440EQ's 5,329 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-6440EQ. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 2,000 vs 3,500 (54.5% advantage for the Core i5-6440EQ). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,108 vs 900, a 20.7% lead for the Xeon E3-1225 v3 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 3,324 vs 3,136 (5.8% advantage for the Xeon E3-1225 v3). L3 cache: 8192 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1225 v3 vs 6 MB on the Core i5-6440EQ.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1225 v3 | Core i5-6440EQ |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz+33% | 2.7 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.2 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 8192 kB (total)+33% | 6 MB |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 1 MB+300% |
| Process | 22 nm | 14 nm-36% |
| Architecture | Haswell-WS (2013−2014) | Skylake (2015−2016) |
| PassMark | 5,324 | 5,329 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 2,000 | 3,500+75% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,108+23% | 900 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 3,324+6% | 3,136 |
Memory & Platform
Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Xeon E3-1225 v3 versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-6440EQ — the Core i5-6440EQ supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-6440EQ supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: C226,B85,Q87,H81,Z87 (Xeon E3-1225 v3) and QM170,HM170 (Core i5-6440EQ).
| Feature | Xeon E3-1225 v3 | Core i5-6440EQ |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1150 | — |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | DDR4-2133+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 64 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics P4600 (Xeon E3-1225 v3) and HD Graphics 530 (Core i5-6440EQ) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon E3-1225 v3 targets Workstation, Core i5-6440EQ targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon E3-1225 v3 rivals Core i5-4570.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1225 v3 | Core i5-6440EQ |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics P4600 | HD Graphics 530 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Workstation | Workstation |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E3-1225 v3 launched at $224 MSRP, while the Core i5-6440EQ debuted at $250. At current prices ($29 vs $150), the Xeon E3-1225 v3 is $121 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1225 v3 delivers 183.6 pts/$ vs 35.5 pts/$ for the Core i5-6440EQ — making the Xeon E3-1225 v3 the 135.1% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1225 v3 | Core i5-6440EQ |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $224-10% | $250 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $29-81% | $150 |
| Performance per Dollar | 183.6+417% | 35.5 |
| Release Date | 2013 | 2015 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.















