Xeon E3-1246 v3 vs Xeon W3690

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 W3690 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 W3690: 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

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 84W instead of 130W, a 46W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W3690 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.8 vs 12.3 PassMark/$ ($667 MSRP vs $583 MSRP).

Xeon W3690

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Costs $84 less on MSRP ($583 MSRP vs $667 MSRP).
✅Delivers 13.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 12.3 vs 10.8 PassMark/$ ($583 MSRP vs $667 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,191 vs 7,228).
❌54.8% higher power demand at 130W vs 84W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1246 v3 better than Xeon W3690?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon W3690 is ahead with a 3.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1246 v3 pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark. Xeon W3690 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 E3-1246 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1246 v3 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon W3690 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E3-1246 v3 comes in 14.4% more expensive on MSRP at $667 MSRP versus $583 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon W3690 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon W3690 is also 13.8% better value on MSRP (12.3 vs 10.8 PassMark/$), 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 E3-1246 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 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 E3-1246 v3 vs Xeon W3690 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 W3690

The Xeon W3690 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Gulftown (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: 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: 7,191 points. Launch price was $450.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1246 v3 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon W3690 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon W3690 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E3-1246 v3 versus 3.73 GHz on the Xeon W3690 — a 4.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1246 v3 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.46 GHz). The Xeon W3690 is built on the Gulftown (2010−2011) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1246 v3 scores 7,228 against the Xeon W3690's 7,191 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon E3-1246 v3. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon E3-1246 v3 vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon W3690.

Feature	Xeon E3-1246 v3	Xeon W3690
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+5%	3.73 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+1%	3.46 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB Intel® Smart Cache	12 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	—	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	—	Gulftown (2010−2011)
PassMark	7,228	7,191

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1246 v3 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W3690 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E3-1246 v3	Xeon W3690
Socket	LGA1150	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E3-1246 v3 was priced at $667, while the Xeon W3690 came in at $583. On launch pricing ($667 vs $583), Xeon W3690 was $84 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1246 v3 delivers 10.8 pts/$ vs 12.3 pts/$ for the Xeon W3690 — making the Xeon W3690 the 12.9% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E3-1246 v3	Xeon W3690
MSRP	$667	$583-13%
Performance per Dollar	10.8	12.3+14%
Release Date	2014	2011

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