Xeon E3-1240 v2 vs Xeon E3-1290 v2

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 E3-1240 v2 vs Xeon E3-1290 v2 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 E3-1240 v2 vs Xeon E3-1290 v2: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E3-1240 v2

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $635 less on MSRP ($250 MSRP vs $885 MSRP).
✅Delivers 255.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 25.5 vs 7.2 PassMark/$ ($250 MSRP vs $885 MSRP).
✅Draws 69W instead of 87W, a 18W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E3-1290 v2 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Xeon E3-1290 v2

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,354 vs 6,385).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.2 vs 25.5 PassMark/$ ($885 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
❌26.1% higher power demand at 87W vs 69W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1240 v2 better than Xeon E3-1290 v2?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E3-1290 v2 is ahead with a 4.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1240 v2 pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1240 v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1240 v2 is the better buy right now. Xeon E3-1240 v2 comes in $635 cheaper on MSRP at $250 MSRP versus $885 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E3-1290 v2 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 4.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 255.7% better value on MSRP (25.5 vs 7.2 PassMark/$), 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 E3-1240 v2 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 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 E3-1240 v2 vs Xeon E3-1290 v2 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E3-1240 v2

The Xeon E3-1240 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 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 69 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,385 points. Launch price was $304.

Xeon E3-1290 v2

The Xeon E3-1290 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 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 87 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,354 points. Launch price was $885.

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Processing Power

Both the Xeon E3-1240 v2 and Xeon E3-1290 v2 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E3-1240 v2 versus 4.1 GHz on the Xeon E3-1290 v2 — a 7.6% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1290 v2 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). Both are built on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture using a 22 nm process. In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1240 v2 scores 6,385 against the Xeon E3-1290 v2's 6,354 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon E3-1240 v2. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Xeon E3-1240 v2	Xeon E3-1290 v2
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4.1 GHz+8%
Base Clock	3.4 GHz	3.7 GHz+9%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	6,385	6,354

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1155 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Xeon E3-1240 v2	Xeon E3-1290 v2
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E3-1240 v2 was priced at $250, while the Xeon E3-1290 v2 came in at $885. On launch pricing ($250 vs $885), Xeon E3-1240 v2 was $635 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1240 v2 delivers 25.5 pts/$ vs 7.2 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1290 v2 — making the Xeon E3-1240 v2 the 112.2% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E3-1240 v2	Xeon E3-1290 v2
MSRP	$250-72%	$885
Performance per Dollar	25.5+254%	7.2
Release Date	2012	2012

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