Xeon E3-1240 v3 vs Xeon X5690

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 X5690 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 X5690: 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

✅Draws 80W instead of 130W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon X5690 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (7,001 vs 7,031).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).

Xeon X5690

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $250 MSRP, while Xeon E3-1240 v3 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌62.5% higher power demand at 130W vs 80W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon X5690 better than Xeon E3-1240 v3?

Yes. Xeon X5690 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.4% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon X5690 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.3% 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 X5690 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Xeon X5690 is the better buy right now. Xeon X5690 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $250 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (28.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E3-1240 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E3-1240 v3 vs Xeon X5690 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 X5690

The Xeon X5690 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.46 GHz, with boost up to 3.73 GHz. L3 cache: 12288 kB (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: 7,031 points. Launch price was $205.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1240 v3 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon X5690 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon X5690 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E3-1240 v3 versus 3.73 GHz on the Xeon X5690 — a 1.9% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1240 v3 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.46 GHz). The Xeon E3-1240 v3 uses the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon X5690 uses Westmere-EP (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1240 v3 scores 7,001 against the Xeon X5690's 7,031 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon X5690. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1240 v3 vs 12288 kB (total) on the Xeon X5690.

Feature	Xeon E3-1240 v3	Xeon X5690
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+2%	3.73 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz	3.46 GHz+2%
L3 Cache	8192 kB (total)	12288 kB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)	Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
PassMark	7,001	7,031
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	3,000

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1240 v3 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon X5690 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E3-1240 v3	Xeon X5690
Socket	LGA1150	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1333
RAM Channels	—	3
ECC Support	—	Yes

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E3-1240 v3) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5690). Primary use case: Xeon X5690 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon X5690 rivals Core i7-980X.