Xeon E3-1246 v3 vs Xeon E5-2637 v3

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 E3-1246 v3 vs Xeon E5-2637 v3 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 E3-1246 v3 vs Xeon E5-2637 v3: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Xeon E3-1246 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅Costs $329 less on MSRP ($667 MSRP vs $996 MSRP).
✅Delivers 48.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 10.8 vs 7.3 PassMark/$ ($667 MSRP vs $996 MSRP).
✅Draws 84W instead of 135W, a 51W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2637 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (7,228 vs 7,248).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 15 MB).

Xeon E5-2637 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.3 vs 10.8 PassMark/$ ($996 MSRP vs $667 MSRP).
❌60.7% higher power demand at 135W vs 84W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2637 v3 better than Xeon E3-1246 v3?

Yes. Xeon E5-2637 v3 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 9.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.3% 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 E5-2637 v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 9.8% 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 E5-2637 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2637 v3 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E3-1246 v3 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E5-2637 v3 comes in 49.3% more expensive on MSRP at $996 MSRP versus $667 MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E3-1246 v3 is also 48.9% better value on MSRP (10.8 vs 7.3 PassMark/$), 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 E5-2637 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E3-1246 v3 vs Xeon E5-2637 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E3-1246 v3

The Xeon E3-1246 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 84 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 7,228 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon E5-2637 v3

The Xeon E5-2637 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 135 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 7,248 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

Both the Xeon E3-1246 v3 and Xeon E5-2637 v3 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E3-1246 v3 versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon E5-2637 v3 — a 5.3% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1246 v3 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Xeon E5-2637 v3 is built on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1246 v3 scores 7,228 against the Xeon E5-2637 v3's 7,248 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon E5-2637 v3. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon E3-1246 v3 vs 15 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2637 v3.

Feature	Xeon E3-1246 v3	Xeon E5-2637 v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+5%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz	3.5 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB Intel® Smart Cache	15 MB (total)+88%
L2 Cache	—	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	—	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	7,228	7,248

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1246 v3 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2637 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E3-1246 v3	Xeon E5-2637 v3
Socket	LGA1150	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E3-1246 v3 was priced at $667, while the Xeon E5-2637 v3 came in at $996. On launch pricing ($667 vs $996), Xeon E3-1246 v3 was $329 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1246 v3 delivers 10.8 pts/$ vs 7.3 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2637 v3 — making the Xeon E3-1246 v3 the 39.3% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E3-1246 v3	Xeon E5-2637 v3
MSRP	$667-33%	$996
Performance per Dollar	10.8+48%	7.3
Release Date	2014	2014

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