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 E3-1245 v2 vs Xeon E3-1275L 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 E3-1245 v2 vs Xeon E3-1275L 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 E3-1245 v2

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $77 less on MSRP ($273 MSRP vs $350 MSRP).
✅Delivers 28.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 23.3 vs 18.1 PassMark/$ ($273 MSRP vs $350 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (2,273 vs 3,000).
❌71.1% higher power demand at 77W vs 45W.

Xeon E3-1275L v3

2014

Why buy it

✅+32% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Draws 45W instead of 77W, a 32W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E3-1245 v2 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 18.1 vs 23.3 PassMark/$ ($350 MSRP vs $273 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1275L v3 better than Xeon E3-1245 v2?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E3-1245 v2 is ahead with a 3.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1275L v3 pulls ahead with 32% better Geekbench multi-core.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1275L v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 32% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1275L v3 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E3-1245 v2 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E3-1275L v3 comes in 28.2% more expensive on MSRP at $350 MSRP versus $273 MSRP, and it still gives you 32% better Geekbench multi-core. The compromise is that Xeon E3-1245 v2 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E3-1245 v2 is also 28.8% better value on MSRP (23.3 vs 18.1 PassMark/$), 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 E3-1275L v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2012) 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 E3-1245 v2 vs Xeon E3-1275L v3 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E3-1245 v2

The Xeon E3-1245 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 77 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,357 points. Launch price was $462.

Xeon E3-1275L v3

The Xeon E3-1275L v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 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): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 6,327 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

Both the Xeon E3-1245 v2 and Xeon E3-1275L v3 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E3-1245 v2 versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E3-1275L v3 — a 2.6% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1275L v3 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Xeon E3-1245 v2 is built on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1245 v2 scores 6,357 against the Xeon E3-1275L v3's 6,327 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon E3-1245 v2. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 659 vs 900, a 30.9% lead for the Xeon E3-1275L v3 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 2,273 vs 3,000 (27.6% advantage for the Xeon E3-1275L v3). L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1245 v2 vs 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon E3-1275L v3.

Feature	Xeon E3-1245 v2	Xeon E3-1275L v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	3.9 GHz+3%
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+26%	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB Intel® Smart Cache
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	—
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	—
PassMark	6,357	6,327
Geekbench 6 Single	659	900+37%
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,273	3,000+32%

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1245 v2 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1275L v3 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1600 memory speed. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel C202,Intel C204,Intel C206,Intel C216 (Xeon E3-1245 v2) and C220,C226 (Xeon E3-1275L v3).

Feature	Xeon E3-1245 v2	Xeon E3-1275L v3
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: Yes (Xeon E3-1245 v2) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E3-1275L v3). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics P4000 (Xeon E3-1245 v2) and Intel HD Graphics P4600 (Xeon E3-1275L v3) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon E3-1245 v2 targets Server, Xeon E3-1275L v3 targets Low Power Server. Direct competitor: Xeon E3-1275L v3 rivals Xeon E3-1270 v3.

Feature	Xeon E3-1245 v2	Xeon E3-1275L v3
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics P4000	Intel HD Graphics P4600
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	Yes	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Server	Low Power Server

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E3-1245 v2 was priced at $273, while the Xeon E3-1275L v3 came in at $350. On launch pricing ($273 vs $350), Xeon E3-1245 v2 was $77 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1245 v2 delivers 23.3 pts/$ vs 18.1 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1275L v3 — making the Xeon E3-1245 v2 the 25.2% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E3-1245 v2	Xeon E3-1275L v3
MSRP	$273-22%	$350
Performance per Dollar	23.3+29%	18.1
Release Date	2012	2014

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