Xeon E3-1240 vs FX-8300
Xeon E3-1240
FX-8300
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 FX-8300 is on rank 639, 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 FX-8300
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E3-1240 | FX-8300 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 (Vishera (2012−2015) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E3-1240 | FX-8300 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 FX-8300
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.
FX-8300
The FX-8300 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 23 October 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L2 cache: 8192 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,333 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Xeon E3-1240 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the FX-8300 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the FX-8300 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Xeon E3-1240 versus 4.2 GHz on the FX-8300 — a 12.7% clock advantage for the FX-8300 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Xeon E3-1240 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the FX-8300 uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1240 scores 5,361 against the FX-8300's 5,333 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon E3-1240.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1240 | FX-8300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 8 / 8+100% |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz | 4.2 GHz+14% |
| Base Clock | 3.3 GHz | 3.3 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | — |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 8192 kB+3100% |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Vishera (2012−2015) |
| PassMark | 5,361 | 5,333 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E3-1240 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the FX-8300 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1240 | FX-8300 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | AM3+ |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E3-1240 launched at $273 MSRP, while the FX-8300 debuted at $197. 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 106.7 pts/$ for the FX-8300 — making the Xeon E3-1240 the 25.2% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1240 | FX-8300 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $273 | $197-28% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $39-22% | $50 |
| Performance per Dollar | 137.5+29% | 106.7 |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2012 |
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