Xeon E3-1235 vs Xeon W-2102
Xeon E3-1235
Xeon W-2102
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 W-2102 is on rank 551, so the Xeon W-2102 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 W-2102
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E3-1235 | Xeon W-2102 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($270) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($286) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | ✨ Modern (Skylake (server) (2017−2018) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E3-1235 | Xeon W-2102 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+6%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($270) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($286) |
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 W-2102
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 W-2102
The Xeon W-2102 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 August 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8.25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 5,098 points. Launch price was $202.
Processing Power
The Xeon E3-1235 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Xeon W-2102's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E3-1235 versus 2.9 GHz on the Xeon W-2102 — a 21.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1235 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Xeon E3-1235 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon W-2102 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1235 scores 5,112 against the Xeon W-2102's 5,098 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon E3-1235. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1235 vs 8.25 MB (total) on the Xeon W-2102.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1235 | Xeon W-2102 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz+24% | 2.9 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.2 GHz+10% | 2.9 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | 8.25 MB (total)+3% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 1 MB (per core)+300% |
| Process | 32 nm | 14 nm-56% |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Skylake (server) (2017−2018) |
| PassMark | 5,112 | 5,098 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E3-1235 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon W-2102 uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1235 | Xeon W-2102 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | LGA2066 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E3-1235 launched at $240 MSRP, while the Xeon W-2102 debuted at $202. At current prices ($270 vs $286), the Xeon E3-1235 is $16 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1235 delivers 18.9 pts/$ vs 17.8 pts/$ for the Xeon W-2102 — making the Xeon E3-1235 the 6% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1235 | Xeon W-2102 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $240 | $202-16% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $270-6% | $286 |
| Performance per Dollar | 18.9+6% | 17.8 |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2017 |
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