Xeon E3-1265L v2 vs Xeon X5672

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 E3-1265L v2 vs Xeon X5672 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 E3-1265L v2 vs Xeon X5672: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E3-1265L v2

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $35 less on MSRP ($265 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).
✅Delivers 13.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 19.0 vs 16.8 PassMark/$ ($265 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).
✅Draws 45W instead of 95W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).

Xeon X5672

2011

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,036 vs 5,040).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 16.8 vs 19.0 PassMark/$ ($300 MSRP vs $265 MSRP).
❌111.1% higher power demand at 95W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1265L v2 better than Xeon X5672?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon X5672 is ahead with a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1265L v2 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark. Xeon X5672 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 E3-1265L v2 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 E3-1265L v2 is the better buy right now. Xeon E3-1265L v2 comes in $35 cheaper on MSRP at $265 MSRP versus $300 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon X5672 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 13.3% better value on MSRP (19.0 vs 16.8 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Xeon E3-1265L v2 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2011) 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 E3-1265L v2 vs Xeon X5672 Technical Specifications

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

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 X5672

The Xeon X5672 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 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,036 points. Launch price was $115.

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Processing Power

Both the Xeon E3-1265L v2 and Xeon X5672 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1265L v2 versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon X5672 — a 2.8% clock advantage for the Xeon X5672 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Xeon E3-1265L v2 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon X5672 uses Westmere-EP (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1265L v2 scores 5,040 against the Xeon X5672's 5,036 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E3-1265L v2. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1265L v2 vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon X5672.

Feature	Xeon E3-1265L v2	Xeon X5672
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	3.6 GHz+3%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.2 GHz+28%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	12 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
PassMark	5,040	5,036

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1265L v2 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon X5672 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E3-1265L v2	Xeon X5672
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+150%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1333
RAM Channels	—	3
ECC Support	—	Yes

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E3-1265L v2) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5672). Primary use case: Xeon X5672 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon X5672 rivals Core i7-980X.

Feature	Xeon E3-1265L v2	Xeon X5672
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Workstation

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E3-1265L v2 was priced at $265, while the Xeon X5672 came in at $300. On launch pricing ($265 vs $300), Xeon E3-1265L v2 was $35 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1265L v2 delivers 19.0 pts/$ vs 16.8 pts/$ for the Xeon X5672 — making the Xeon E3-1265L v2 the 12.5% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E3-1265L v2	Xeon X5672
MSRP	$265-12%	$300
Performance per Dollar	19.0+13%	16.8
Release Date	2012	2011

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