Xeon E3-1230 v6 vs Xeon E3-1285L v4

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 E3-1230 v6 vs Xeon E3-1285L v4 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 E3-1230 v6 vs Xeon E3-1285L v4: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E3-1230 v6

2017

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Xeon E3-1285L v4

2015

Why buy it

✅Draws 65W instead of 72W, a 7W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,092 vs 8,113).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1230 v6 better than Xeon E3-1285L v4?

Yes. Xeon E3-1230 v6 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.3% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E3-1230 v6 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.8% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1230 v6 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Xeon E3-1230 v6 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E3-1230 v6 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Xeon E3-1230 v6 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2015), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E3-1230 v6 vs Xeon E3-1285L v4 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E3-1230 v6

The Xeon E3-1230 v6 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 March 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 72 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400, DDR3L-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 8,113 points. Launch price was $250.

Xeon E3-1285L v4

The Xeon E3-1285L v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Broadwell-DT (2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600, DDR3L-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 8,092 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

Both the Xeon E3-1230 v6 and Xeon E3-1285L v4 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E3-1230 v6 versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E3-1285L v4 — a 2.6% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1230 v6 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Xeon E3-1230 v6 uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1285L v4 uses Broadwell-DT (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1230 v6 scores 8,113 against the Xeon E3-1285L v4's 8,092 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon E3-1230 v6. L3 cache: 8 MB on the Xeon E3-1230 v6 vs 6 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1285L v4.

Feature	Xeon E3-1230 v6	Xeon E3-1285L v4
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+3%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+3%	3.4 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB+33%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Broadwell-DT (2015)
PassMark	8,113	8,092

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1230 v6 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1285L v4 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.