Xeon E3-1231 v3 vs Xeon E3-1245 v3

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 E3-1231 v3 vs Xeon E3-1245 v3 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 E3-1231 v3 vs Xeon E3-1245 v3: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E3-1231 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.1% higher average FPS across 48 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 80W instead of 84W, a 4W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,031 vs 7,036).
❌No integrated graphics, while Xeon E3-1245 v3 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Xeon E3-1245 v3

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics P4600, while Xeon E3-1231 v3 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E3-1231 v3 across 48 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $490 MSRP, while Xeon E3-1231 v3 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1231 v3 better than Xeon E3-1245 v3?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E3-1231 v3 is ahead with a 4.1% average FPS lead across 48 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1245 v3 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1245 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1231 v3 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E3-1245 v3 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E3-1231 v3 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $490 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.1% average FPS lead across 48 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E3-1245 v3 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.1% better PassMark. Xeon E3-1245 v3 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (14.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E3-1231 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E3-1231 v3 vs Xeon E3-1245 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E3-1231 v3

The Xeon E3-1231 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 7,031 points. Launch price was $240.

Xeon E3-1245 v3

The Xeon E3-1245 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 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 84 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,036 points. Launch price was $320.

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Processing Power

Both the Xeon E3-1231 v3 and Xeon E3-1245 v3 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E3-1231 v3 versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E3-1245 v3 — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). Both are built on the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture using a 22 nm process. In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1231 v3 scores 7,031 against the Xeon E3-1245 v3's 7,036 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E3-1245 v3. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1231 v3 vs 8192 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1245 v3.

Feature	Xeon E3-1231 v3	Xeon E3-1245 v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz	3.4 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8192 kB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)
PassMark	7,031	7,036
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,203
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	3,820

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1150 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Xeon E3-1231 v3	Xeon E3-1245 v3
Socket	LGA1150	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E3-1231 v3) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E3-1245 v3). The Xeon E3-1245 v3 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics P4600), while the Xeon E3-1231 v3 requires a dedicated GPU.