Xeon E3-1240 vs Xeon X5687

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 vs Xeon X5687 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 vs Xeon X5687: 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

2011

Why buy it

✅Costs $279 less on MSRP ($273 MSRP vs $552 MSRP).
✅Delivers 101.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 19.6 vs 9.8 PassMark/$ ($273 MSRP vs $552 MSRP).
✅Draws 80W instead of 130W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon X5687 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,361 vs 5,386).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).

Xeon X5687

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (36 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 9.8 vs 19.6 PassMark/$ ($552 MSRP vs $273 MSRP).
❌62.5% higher power demand at 130W vs 80W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon X5687 better than Xeon E3-1240?

Yes. Xeon X5687 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.5% 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 X5687 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.3% 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 X5687 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 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 X5687 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E3-1240 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon X5687 comes in 102.2% more expensive on MSRP at $552 MSRP versus $273 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E3-1240 is also 101.3% better value on MSRP (19.6 vs 9.8 PassMark/$), 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 X5687 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB) and 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 vs Xeon X5687 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Xeon X5687

The Xeon X5687 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 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.86 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (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: 5,386 points. Launch price was $121.

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Processing Power

Both the Xeon E3-1240 and Xeon X5687 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Xeon E3-1240 versus 3.86 GHz on the Xeon X5687 — a 4.2% clock advantage for the Xeon X5687 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Xeon E3-1240 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon X5687 uses Westmere-EP (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1240 scores 5,361 against the Xeon X5687's 5,386 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon X5687. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1240 vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon X5687.

Feature	Xeon E3-1240	Xeon X5687
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	3.86 GHz+4%
Base Clock	3.3 GHz	3.6 GHz+9%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	12 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
PassMark	5,361	5,386
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,643
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	5,386

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1240 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon X5687 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E3-1240	Xeon X5687
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	—	288 GB
RAM Channels	—	3
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	36

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E3-1240) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5687). Primary use case: Xeon X5687 targets Server.

Feature	Xeon E3-1240	Xeon X5687
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Server

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E3-1240 was priced at $273, while the Xeon X5687 came in at $552. On launch pricing ($273 vs $552), Xeon E3-1240 was $279 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1240 delivers 19.6 pts/$ vs 9.8 pts/$ for the Xeon X5687 — making the Xeon E3-1240 the 67.2% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E3-1240	Xeon X5687
MSRP	$273-51%	$552
Performance per Dollar	19.6+100%	9.8
Release Date	2011	2011

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