
Xeon E3-1245 v3 vs Xeon X5690

Xeon E3-1245 v3

Xeon X5690
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 Xeon X5690 is on rank 514, so the Xeon X5690 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 Xeon X5690
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E3-1245 v3 | Xeon X5690 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($490) | ✅ More affordable ($250) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell-WS (2013−2014) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Westmere-EP (2010−2011) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E3-1245 v3 | Xeon X5690 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+96%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($490) | ✅ More affordable ($250) |
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 Xeon X5690

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 X5690
The Xeon X5690 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.46 GHz, with boost up to 3.73 GHz. L3 cache: 12288 kB (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: 7,031 points. Launch price was $205.
Processing Power
The Xeon E3-1245 v3 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon X5690 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon X5690 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E3-1245 v3 versus 3.73 GHz on the Xeon X5690 — a 1.9% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1245 v3 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.46 GHz). The Xeon E3-1245 v3 uses the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon X5690 uses Westmere-EP (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1245 v3 scores 7,036 against the Xeon X5690's 7,031 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E3-1245 v3. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1245 v3 vs 12288 kB (total) on the Xeon X5690.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1245 v3 | Xeon X5690 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 6 / 12+50% |
| Boost Clock | 3.8 GHz+2% | 3.73 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.4 GHz | 3.46 GHz+2% |
| L3 Cache | 8192 kB (total) | 12288 kB (total)+50% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm-31% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Haswell-WS (2013−2014) | Westmere-EP (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 7,036 | 7,031 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 3,000 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,203 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 3,820 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E3-1245 v3 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon X5690 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1600 memory speed. Memory channels: 2 (Xeon E3-1245 v3) vs 3 (Xeon X5690). Chipset compatibility: LGA1150 (Xeon E3-1245 v3) and Intel X58,Intel 5520 (Xeon X5690).
| Feature | Xeon E3-1245 v3 | Xeon X5690 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1150 | LGA1366 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 3+50% |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E3-1245 v3) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5690). The Xeon E3-1245 v3 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics P4600), while the Xeon X5690 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon X5690 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon X5690 rivals Core i7-980X.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1245 v3 | Xeon X5690 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics P4600 | — |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | — | Workstation |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E3-1245 v3 launched at $490 MSRP, while the Xeon X5690 debuted at $250. At current prices ($490 vs $250), the Xeon X5690 is $240 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1245 v3 delivers 14.4 pts/$ vs 28.1 pts/$ for the Xeon X5690 — making the Xeon X5690 the 64.8% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1245 v3 | Xeon X5690 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $490 | $250-49% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $490 | $250-49% |
| Performance per Dollar | 14.4 | 28.1+95% |
| Release Date | 2013 | 2011 |
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