Xeon E3-1230L v3 vs Xeon E5-2620

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 E3-1230L v3 vs Xeon E5-2620 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 E3-1230L v3 vs Xeon E5-2620: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E3-1230L v3

2013

Why buy it

✅Draws 25W instead of 95W, a 70W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2620 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,297 vs 5,328).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 15 MB).

Xeon E5-2620

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $360 MSRP, while Xeon E3-1230L v3 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌280% higher power demand at 95W vs 25W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2620 better than Xeon E3-1230L v3?

Yes. Xeon E5-2620 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.6% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-2620 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.9% 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 E5-2620 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2620 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-2620 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $360 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (14.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Xeon E3-1230L v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E3-1230L v3 vs Xeon E5-2620 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E3-1230L v3

The Xeon E3-1230L 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 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,297 points. Launch price was $289.

Xeon E5-2620

The Xeon E5-2620 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,328 points. Launch price was $36.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1230L v3 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2620 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2620 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Xeon E3-1230L v3 versus 2.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2620 — a 11.3% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1230L v3 (base: 1.8 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Xeon E3-1230L v3 uses the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-2620 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1230L v3 scores 5,297 against the Xeon E5-2620's 5,328 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon E5-2620. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1230L v3 vs 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2620.

Feature	Xeon E3-1230L v3	Xeon E5-2620
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz+12%	2.5 GHz
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	2 GHz+11%
L3 Cache	8192 kB (total)	15360 kB (total)+88%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
PassMark	5,297	5,328

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1230L v3 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2620 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E3-1230L v3	Xeon E5-2620
Socket	LGA1150	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	—	384 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40