Xeon E3-1245 v2 vs Xeon E5-2420 v2

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 E5-2420 v2 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 E5-2420 v2: 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

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 77W instead of 80W, a 3W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics P4000, while Xeon E5-2420 v2 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2420 v2 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 15 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $273 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2420 v2 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-2420 v2

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,349 vs 6,357).
❌No integrated graphics, while Xeon E3-1245 v2 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1245 v2 better than Xeon E5-2420 v2?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-2420 v2 is ahead with a 6.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1245 v2 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2420 v2 also has the bigger cache pool with 87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1245 v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1245 v2 is the better buy right now. Xeon E3-1245 v2 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $273 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2420 v2 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 6.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (23.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E5-2420 v2 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2012) and 87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E3-1245 v2 vs Xeon E5-2420 v2 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 E5-2420 v2

The Xeon E5-2420 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,349 points. Launch price was $480.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1245 v2 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2420 v2 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2420 v2 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E3-1245 v2 versus 2.7 GHz on the Xeon E5-2420 v2 — a 33.8% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1245 v2 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Xeon E3-1245 v2 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-2420 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1245 v2 scores 6,357 against the Xeon E5-2420 v2's 6,349 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E3-1245 v2. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1245 v2 vs 15 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2420 v2.

Feature	Xeon E3-1245 v2	Xeon E5-2420 v2
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+41%	2.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+55%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	15 MB (total)+88%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014)
PassMark	6,357	6,349
Geekbench 6 Single	659	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,273	—

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1245 v2 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2420 v2 uses LGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E3-1245 v2	Xeon E5-2420 v2
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: Yes (Xeon E3-1245 v2) / not specified (Xeon E5-2420 v2). The Xeon E3-1245 v2 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics P4000), while the Xeon E5-2420 v2 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon E3-1245 v2 targets Server.