Xeon E3-1235 vs Xeon X5677

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 E3-1235 vs Xeon X5677 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 E3-1235 vs Xeon X5677: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E3-1235

2011

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 95W instead of 130W, a 35W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon X5677 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $240 MSRP, while Xeon X5677 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon X5677

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,054 vs 5,112).
❌36.8% higher power demand at 130W vs 95W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1235 better than Xeon X5677?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon X5677 is ahead with a 3.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1235 pulls ahead with 1.1% better PassMark. Xeon X5677 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1235 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1235 is the better buy right now. Xeon E3-1235 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $240 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon X5677 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (21.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E3-1235 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E3-1235 vs Xeon X5677 Technical Specifications

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

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 X5677

The Xeon X5677 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.46 GHz, with boost up to 3.73 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: 5,054 points. Launch price was $350.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Xeon E3-1235 and Xeon X5677 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E3-1235 versus 3.73 GHz on the Xeon X5677 — a 3.5% clock advantage for the Xeon X5677 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.46 GHz). The Xeon E3-1235 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon X5677 uses Westmere-EP (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1235 scores 5,112 against the Xeon X5677's 5,054 — a 1.1% lead for the Xeon E3-1235. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1235 vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon X5677.

Feature	Xeon E3-1235	Xeon X5677
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	3.73 GHz+4%
Base Clock	3.2 GHz	3.46 GHz+8%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	12 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
PassMark	5,112+1%	5,054

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1235 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon X5677 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E3-1235	Xeon X5677
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1333
RAM Channels	—	3
ECC Support	—	Yes

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E3-1235) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5677). Primary use case: Xeon X5677 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon X5677 rivals Core i7-980X.