Xeon E3-1225 v3 vs Core i7-2600
Xeon E3-1225 v3
Core i7-2600
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 i7-2600 is on rank 835, 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 i7-2600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E3-1225 v3 | Core i7-2600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($29) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell-WS (2013−2014) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E3-1225 v3 | Core i7-2600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+72%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($29) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) |
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 i7-2600
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 i7-2600
The Core i7-2600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (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: 5,346 points. Launch price was $247.
Processing Power
The Xeon E3-1225 v3 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-2600's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E3-1225 v3 versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-2600 — a 5.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-2600 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Xeon E3-1225 v3 uses the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-2600 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1225 v3 scores 5,324 against the Core i7-2600's 5,346 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i7-2600. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 2,000 vs 3,648 (58.4% advantage for the Core i7-2600). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,108 vs 659, a 50.8% lead for the Xeon E3-1225 v3 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 3,324 vs 2,169 (42.1% advantage for the Xeon E3-1225 v3). Both processors carry 8192 kB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1225 v3 | Core i7-2600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz | 3.8 GHz+6% |
| Base Clock | 3.2 GHz | 3.4 GHz+6% |
| L3 Cache | 8192 kB (total) | 8192 kB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm-31% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Haswell-WS (2013−2014) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 5,324 | 5,346 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 2,000 | 3,648+82% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,108+68% | 659 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 3,324+53% | 2,169 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E3-1225 v3 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-2600 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1600 memory speed. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. 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 H61,H67,P67,Z68,H77,Z77 (Core i7-2600).
| Feature | Xeon E3-1225 v3 | Core i7-2600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1150 | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| 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 2000 (Core i7-2600) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon E3-1225 v3 targets Workstation, Core i7-2600 targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Xeon E3-1225 v3 rivals Core i5-4570; Core i7-2600 rivals FX-8350.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1225 v3 | Core i7-2600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics P4600 | HD Graphics 2000 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Workstation | Productivity |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E3-1225 v3 launched at $224 MSRP, while the Core i7-2600 debuted at $294. At current prices ($29 vs $50), the Xeon E3-1225 v3 is $21 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1225 v3 delivers 183.6 pts/$ vs 106.9 pts/$ for the Core i7-2600 — making the Xeon E3-1225 v3 the 52.8% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1225 v3 | Core i7-2600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $224-24% | $294 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $29-42% | $50 |
| Performance per Dollar | 183.6+72% | 106.9 |
| Release Date | 2013 | 2011 |
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