Xeon E3-1245 v3 vs Xeon W3680

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 v3 vs Xeon W3680 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 v3 vs Xeon W3680: 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 v3

2013

Why buy it

✅Costs $104 less on MSRP ($490 MSRP vs $594 MSRP).
✅Delivers 21.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 14.4 vs 11.8 PassMark/$ ($490 MSRP vs $594 MSRP).
✅Draws 84W instead of 130W, a 46W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics P4600, while Xeon W3680 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).

Xeon W3680

2010

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,025 vs 7,036).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.8 vs 14.4 PassMark/$ ($594 MSRP vs $490 MSRP).
❌54.8% higher power demand at 130W vs 84W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Xeon E3-1245 v3 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1245 v3 better than Xeon W3680?

Yes. Xeon E3-1245 v3 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.2% 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 E3-1245 v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.6% 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 E3-1245 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1245 v3 is the better buy right now. Xeon E3-1245 v3 comes in $104 cheaper on MSRP at $490 MSRP versus $594 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 21.4% better value on MSRP (14.4 vs 11.8 PassMark/$), 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 E3-1245 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E3-1245 v3 vs Xeon W3680 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Xeon W3680

The Xeon W3680 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Gulftown (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.33 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 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: 7,025 points. Launch price was $350.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1245 v3 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon W3680 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon W3680 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E3-1245 v3 versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon W3680 — a 5.4% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1245 v3 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.33 GHz). The Xeon E3-1245 v3 uses the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon W3680 uses Gulftown (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1245 v3 scores 7,036 against the Xeon W3680'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 12 MB (total) on the Xeon W3680.

Feature	Xeon E3-1245 v3	Xeon W3680
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+6%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+2%	3.33 GHz
L3 Cache	8192 kB (total)	12 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)	Gulftown (2010−2011)
PassMark	7,036	7,025
Geekbench 6 Single	1,203	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,820	—

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1245 v3 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W3680 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E3-1245 v3	Xeon W3680
Socket	LGA1150	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
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: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E3-1245 v3) / not specified (Xeon W3680). The Xeon E3-1245 v3 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics P4600), while the Xeon W3680 requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Xeon E3-1245 v3	Xeon W3680
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics P4600	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E3-1245 v3 was priced at $490, while the Xeon W3680 came in at $594. On launch pricing ($490 vs $594), Xeon E3-1245 v3 was $104 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1245 v3 delivers 14.4 pts/$ vs 11.8 pts/$ for the Xeon W3680 — making the Xeon E3-1245 v3 the 19.3% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E3-1245 v3	Xeon W3680
MSRP	$490-18%	$594
Performance per Dollar	14.4+22%	11.8
Release Date	2013	2010

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