Xeon E3-1240 v5 vs Xeon E3-1260L v5

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 v5 vs Xeon E3-1260L v5 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 v5 vs Xeon E3-1260L v5: 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 v5

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌77.8% higher power demand at 80W vs 45W.

Xeon E3-1260L v5

2015

Why buy it

✅Draws 45W instead of 80W, a 35W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E3-1240 v5 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (8,237 vs 8,258).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1240 v5 better than Xeon E3-1260L v5?

Yes. Xeon E3-1240 v5 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.3% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E3-1240 v5 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.6% 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 v5 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1240 v5 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E3-1240 v5 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Xeon E3-1240 v5 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 v5 vs Xeon E3-1260L v5 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E3-1240 v5

The Xeon E3-1240 v5 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-DT (2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151, LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866/2133, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 8,258 points. Launch price was $282.

Xeon E3-1260L v5

The Xeon E3-1260L v5 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-DT (2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866/2133, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 8,237 points. Launch price was $294.

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Processing Power

Both the Xeon E3-1240 v5 and Xeon E3-1260L v5 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E3-1240 v5 versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E3-1260L v5 — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). Both are built on the Skylake-DT (2015) architecture using a 14 nm process. In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1240 v5 scores 8,258 against the Xeon E3-1260L v5's 8,237 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon E3-1240 v5. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Xeon E3-1240 v5	Xeon E3-1260L v5
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+21%	2.9 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake-DT (2015)	Skylake-DT (2015)
PassMark	8,258	8,237

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1240 v5 uses the LGA1151, LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1260L v5 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.