Xeon E3-1241 v3 vs Xeon E3-1246 v3

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 E3-1241 v3 vs Xeon E3-1246 v3 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 E3-1241 v3 vs Xeon E3-1246 v3: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Xeon E3-1241 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $394 less on MSRP ($273 MSRP vs $667 MSRP).
✅Delivers 142.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 26.3 vs 10.8 PassMark/$ ($273 MSRP vs $667 MSRP).
✅Draws 80W instead of 84W, a 4W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,169 vs 7,228).

Xeon E3-1246 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E3-1241 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.8 vs 26.3 PassMark/$ ($667 MSRP vs $273 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1241 v3 better than Xeon E3-1246 v3?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E3-1241 v3 is ahead with a 5.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1246 v3 pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1246 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1241 v3 is the better buy right now. Xeon E3-1241 v3 comes in $394 cheaper on MSRP at $273 MSRP versus $667 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E3-1246 v3 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.8% better PassMark. It is also 142.3% better value on MSRP (26.3 vs 10.8 PassMark/$), 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 E3-1246 v3 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 E3-1241 v3 vs Xeon E3-1246 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E3-1241 v3

The Xeon E3-1241 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) 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: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 7,169 points. Launch price was $273.

Xeon E3-1246 v3

The Xeon E3-1246 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 84 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 7,228 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

Both the Xeon E3-1241 v3 and Xeon E3-1246 v3 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E3-1241 v3 versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E3-1246 v3 — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Xeon E3-1241 v3 is built on the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1241 v3 scores 7,169 against the Xeon E3-1246 v3's 7,228 — a 0.8% lead for the Xeon E3-1246 v3. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1241 v3 vs 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon E3-1246 v3.

Feature	Xeon E3-1241 v3	Xeon E3-1246 v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz	3.5 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB Intel® Smart Cache
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	—
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)	—
PassMark	7,169	7,228

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1150 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Xeon E3-1241 v3	Xeon E3-1246 v3
Socket	LGA1150	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E3-1241 v3 was priced at $273, while the Xeon E3-1246 v3 came in at $667. On launch pricing ($273 vs $667), Xeon E3-1241 v3 was $394 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1241 v3 delivers 26.3 pts/$ vs 10.8 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1246 v3 — making the Xeon E3-1241 v3 the 83.2% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E3-1241 v3	Xeon E3-1246 v3
MSRP	$273-59%	$667
Performance per Dollar	26.3+144%	10.8
Release Date	2014	2014

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