
Xeon E3-1245 v3 vs Core i7-6820EQ

Xeon E3-1245 v3

Core i7-6820EQ
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 E3-1245 v3 is positioned at rank 737 and the Core i7-6820EQ is on rank 822, so the Xeon E3-1245 v3 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1245 v3
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-6820EQ
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E3-1245 v3 | Core i7-6820EQ |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($490) | ✅ More affordable ($344) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell-WS (2013−2014) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E3-1245 v3 | Core i7-6820EQ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+42%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($490) | ✅ More affordable ($344) |
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 E3-1245 v3 and Core i7-6820EQ

Xeon E3-1245 v3
The Xeon E3-1245 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 84 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,036 points. Launch price was $320.

Core i7-6820EQ
The Core i7-6820EQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Max frequency: 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 7,025 points. Launch price was $378.
Processing Power
Both the Xeon E3-1245 v3 and Core i7-6820EQ share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E3-1245 v3 versus 2.8 GHz on the Core i7-6820EQ — a 30.3% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1245 v3. The Xeon E3-1245 v3 uses the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-6820EQ uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1245 v3 scores 7,036 against the Core i7-6820EQ's 7,025 — a 0.2% lead for the Xeon E3-1245 v3. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1245 v3 vs 8 MB on the Core i7-6820EQ.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1245 v3 | Core i7-6820EQ |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.8 GHz+36% | 2.8 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.4 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 8192 kB (total) | 8 MB |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 1 MB+300% |
| Process | 22 nm | 14 nm-36% |
| Architecture | Haswell-WS (2013−2014) | Skylake (2015−2016) |
| PassMark | 7,036 | 7,025 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,203 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 3,820 | — |
Memory & Platform
Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Xeon E3-1245 v3 versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i7-6820EQ — the Core i7-6820EQ supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-6820EQ supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1245 v3 | Core i7-6820EQ |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1150 | — |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | DDR4-2133+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 64 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics P4600 (Xeon E3-1245 v3) and HD Graphics 530 (Core i7-6820EQ) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-6820EQ targets Embedded.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1245 v3 | Core i7-6820EQ |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics P4600 | HD Graphics 530 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Embedded |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E3-1245 v3 launched at $490 MSRP, while the Core i7-6820EQ debuted at $378. At current prices ($490 vs $344), the Core i7-6820EQ is $146 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1245 v3 delivers 14.4 pts/$ vs 20.4 pts/$ for the Core i7-6820EQ — making the Core i7-6820EQ the 34.9% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1245 v3 | Core i7-6820EQ |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $490 | $378-23% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $490 | $344-30% |
| Performance per Dollar | 14.4 | 20.4+42% |
| Release Date | 2013 | 2015 |
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