Xeon E3-1240 vs Core i7-2600
Xeon E3-1240
Core i7-2600
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Xeon E3-1240 is positioned at rank 627 and the Core i7-2600 is on rank 835, so the Xeon E3-1240 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1240
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E3-1240 | Core i7-2600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($39) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E3-1240 | Core i7-2600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+29%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($39) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E3-1240 and Core i7-2600
Xeon E3-1240
The Xeon E3-1240 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 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,361 points. Launch price was $209.
Core i7-2600
The Core i7-2600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (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: 5,346 points. Launch price was $247.
Processing Power
Both the Xeon E3-1240 and Core i7-2600 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Xeon E3-1240 versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-2600 — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-2600 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). Both are built on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture using a 32 nm process. In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1240 scores 5,361 against the Core i7-2600's 5,346 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon E3-1240. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1240 vs 8192 kB (total) on the Core i7-2600.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1240 | Core i7-2600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz | 3.8 GHz+3% |
| Base Clock | 3.3 GHz | 3.4 GHz+3% |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | 8192 kB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 5,361 | 5,346 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 3,648 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 659 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 2,169 |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the LGA1155 socket with PCIe 2.0.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1240 | Core i7-2600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E3-1240) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-2600). The Core i7-2600 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2000), while the Xeon E3-1240 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2600 targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i7-2600 rivals FX-8350.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1240 | Core i7-2600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | HD Graphics 2000 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Productivity |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E3-1240 launched at $273 MSRP, while the Core i7-2600 debuted at $294. At current prices ($39 vs $50), the Xeon E3-1240 is $11 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1240 delivers 137.5 pts/$ vs 106.9 pts/$ for the Core i7-2600 — making the Xeon E3-1240 the 25% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1240 | Core i7-2600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $273-7% | $294 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $39-22% | $50 |
| Performance per Dollar | 137.5+29% | 106.9 |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2011 |
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