Xeon E3-1265L v2 vs Xeon E5-2420
Xeon E3-1265L v2
Xeon E5-2420
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 E3-1265L v2 is positioned at rank 553 and the Xeon E5-2420 is on rank 556, so the Xeon E3-1265L v2 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1265L v2
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2420
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E3-1265L v2 | Xeon E5-2420 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($265) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E3-1265L v2 | Xeon E5-2420 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($265) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 E3-1265L v2 and Xeon E5-2420
Xeon E3-1265L v2
The Xeon E3-1265L v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,040 points. Launch price was $142.
Xeon E5-2420
The Xeon E5-2420 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,012 points. Launch price was $390.
Processing Power
The Xeon E3-1265L v2 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2420 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2420 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1265L v2 versus 2.4 GHz on the Xeon E5-2420 — a 37.3% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1265L v2 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The Xeon E3-1265L v2 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-2420 uses Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1265L v2 scores 5,040 against the Xeon E5-2420's 5,012 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon E3-1265L v2. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1265L v2 vs 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2420.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1265L v2 | Xeon E5-2420 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 6 / 12+50% |
| Boost Clock | 3.5 GHz+46% | 2.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz+32% | 1.9 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | 15360 kB (total)+88% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm-31% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) |
| PassMark | 5,040 | 5,012 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E3-1265L v2 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E5-2420 uses LGA1356 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1265L v2 | Xeon E5-2420 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | LGA1356 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+150% | PCIe 2.0 |
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