Xeon E3-1231 v3 vs Xeon W3680

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 W3680 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 W3680: 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

✅Draws 80W instead of 130W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).

Xeon W3680

2010

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,025 vs 7,031).
❌Launch MSRP is still $594 MSRP, while Xeon E3-1231 v3 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌62.5% higher power demand at 130W vs 80W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1231 v3 better than Xeon W3680?

Yes. Xeon E3-1231 v3 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.1% 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 E3-1231 v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.5% 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 E3-1231 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 W3680 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 $594 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon W3680 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (11.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E3-1231 v3 vs Xeon W3680 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 W3680

The Xeon W3680 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Gulftown (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.33 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 7,025 points. Launch price was $350.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1231 v3 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon W3680 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon W3680 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E3-1231 v3 versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon W3680 — a 5.4% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1231 v3 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.33 GHz). The Xeon E3-1231 v3 uses the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon W3680 uses Gulftown (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1231 v3 scores 7,031 against the Xeon W3680's 7,025 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E3-1231 v3. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1231 v3 vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon W3680.

Feature	Xeon E3-1231 v3	Xeon W3680
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+6%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+2%	3.33 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	12 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)	Gulftown (2010−2011)
PassMark	7,031	7,025

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1231 v3 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W3680 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.