CPU
GPU
Xeon E3-1260L
FX-8100
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 E3-1260L is positioned at rank 750 and the FX-8100 is on rank 928, so the Xeon E3-1260L offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1260L
Performance Per Dollar FX-8100
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E3-1260L | FX-8100 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($270) | ✅ More affordable ($50) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Zambezi (2011−2012) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E3-1260L | FX-8100 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+443%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($270) | ✅ More affordable ($50) |
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 E3-1260L and FX-8100
Xeon E3-1260L
The Xeon E3-1260L is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 April 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,076 points. Launch price was $150.
FX-8100
The FX-8100 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 12 October 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 8 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,095 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
The Xeon E3-1260L packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the FX-8100 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the FX-8100 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Xeon E3-1260L versus 3.7 GHz on the FX-8100 — a 11.4% clock advantage for the FX-8100 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Xeon E3-1260L uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the FX-8100 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1260L scores 4,076 against the FX-8100's 4,095 — a 0.5% lead for the FX-8100. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1260L | FX-8100 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 8 / 8+100% |
| Boost Clock | 3.3 GHz | 3.7 GHz+12% |
| Base Clock | 2.4 GHz | 2.8 GHz+17% |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | 8 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 8 MB+3100% |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Zambezi (2011−2012) |
| PassMark | 4,076 | 4,095 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 455 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 1,621 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E3-1260L uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the FX-8100 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1260L | FX-8100 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | AM3+ |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR3-1866 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 16 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 0 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E3-1260L) / AMD-V (FX-8100).
| Feature | Xeon E3-1260L | FX-8100 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | No |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | AMD-V |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E3-1260L launched at $294 MSRP, while the FX-8100 debuted at $300. At current prices ($270 vs $50), the FX-8100 is $220 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1260L delivers 15.1 pts/$ vs 81.9 pts/$ for the FX-8100 — making the FX-8100 the 137.7% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1260L | FX-8100 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $294-2% | $300 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $270 | $50-81% |
| Performance per Dollar | 15.1 | 81.9+442% |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2011 |
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