
Xeon E3-1235 vs Xeon E3-1265L v2

Xeon E3-1235

Xeon E3-1265L v2
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 E3-1235 is positioned at rank 607 and the Xeon E3-1265L v2 is on rank 553, so the Xeon E3-1265L v2 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1235
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1265L v2
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E3-1235 | Xeon E3-1265L v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($270) | ✅ More affordable ($265) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E3-1235 | Xeon E3-1265L v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+0%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($270) | ✅ More affordable ($265) |
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 E3-1235 and Xeon E3-1265L v2

Xeon E3-1235
The Xeon E3-1235 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 April 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (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: 5,112 points. Launch price was $287.

Xeon E3-1265L v2
The Xeon E3-1265L v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,040 points. Launch price was $142.
Processing Power
Both the Xeon E3-1235 and Xeon E3-1265L v2 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E3-1235 versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1265L v2 — a 2.8% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1235 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Xeon E3-1235 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E3-1265L v2 uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1235 scores 5,112 against the Xeon E3-1265L v2's 5,040 — a 1.4% lead for the Xeon E3-1235. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1235 | Xeon E3-1265L v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz+3% | 3.5 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.2 GHz+28% | 2.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | 8 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 22 nm-31% |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) |
| PassMark | 5,112+1% | 5,040 |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the LGA1155 socket with PCIe 2.0.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1235 | Xeon E3-1265L v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 5.0+150% |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E3-1235 launched at $240 MSRP, while the Xeon E3-1265L v2 debuted at $265.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1235 | Xeon E3-1265L v2 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $240-9% | $265 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $270 | — |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2012 |
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