Xeon E3-1240 v3 vs Xeon E3-1265L v4

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 v3 vs Xeon E3-1265L v4 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 v3 vs Xeon E3-1265L v4: 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 v3

2013

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌128.6% higher power demand at 80W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Xeon E3-1265L v4 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Xeon E3-1265L v4

2015

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 80W, a 45W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Pro Graphics P6300, while Xeon E3-1240 v3 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,954 vs 7,001).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $417 MSRP, while Xeon E3-1240 v3 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1240 v3 better than Xeon E3-1265L v4?

Yes. Xeon E3-1240 v3 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.7% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E3-1240 v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.3% 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 E3-1240 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Xeon E3-1240 v3 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E3-1265L v4 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E3-1240 v3 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $417 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E3-1265L v4 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (16.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E3-1265L v4 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E3-1240 v3 vs Xeon E3-1265L v4 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E3-1240 v3

The Xeon E3-1240 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2013 (12 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: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,001 points. Launch price was $300.

Xeon E3-1265L v4

The Xeon E3-1265L v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Broadwell-DT (2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600, DDR3L-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 6,954 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

Both the Xeon E3-1240 v3 and Xeon E3-1265L v4 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E3-1240 v3 versus 3.3 GHz on the Xeon E3-1265L v4 — a 14.1% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1240 v3 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Xeon E3-1240 v3 uses the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E3-1265L v4 uses Broadwell-DT (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1240 v3 scores 7,001 against the Xeon E3-1265L v4's 6,954 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon E3-1240 v3. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1240 v3 vs 6 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1265L v4.

Feature	Xeon E3-1240 v3	Xeon E3-1265L v4
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+15%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+48%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	8192 kB (total)+33%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)	Broadwell-DT (2015)
PassMark	7,001	6,954
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	4,500
Geekbench 6 Single	—	900
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	3,000

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1150 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Xeon E3-1240 v3	Xeon E3-1265L v4
Socket	LGA1150	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1866
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E3-1240 v3) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E3-1265L v4). The Xeon E3-1265L v4 includes integrated graphics (Iris Pro Graphics P6300), while the Xeon E3-1240 v3 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon E3-1265L v4 targets Server.