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 X5690 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 X5690: 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

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅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 X5690 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon X5690 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.4 vs 28.1 PassMark/$ ($490 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).

Xeon X5690

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Costs $240 less on MSRP ($250 MSRP vs $490 MSRP).
✅Delivers 95.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 28.1 vs 14.4 PassMark/$ ($250 MSRP vs $490 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,031 vs 7,036).
❌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 X5690?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon X5690 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 E3-1245 v3 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark. Xeon X5690 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 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 v3 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 v3 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon X5690 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E3-1245 v3 comes in 96.0% more expensive on MSRP at $490 MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon X5690 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon X5690 is also 95.9% better value on MSRP (28.1 vs 14.4 PassMark/$), 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 E3-1245 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2011) 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 X5690 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 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.

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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	—

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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. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Xeon E3-1245 v3 versus DDR3-1333 on the Xeon X5690 — the Xeon E3-1245 v3 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. 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+20%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	3+50%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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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

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E3-1245 v3 was priced at $490, while the Xeon X5690 came in at $250. On launch pricing ($490 vs $250), Xeon X5690 was $240 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1245 v3 delivers 14.4 pts/$ 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%
Performance per Dollar	14.4	28.1+95%
Release Date	2013	2011

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