Xeon E3-1265L v3 vs Xeon E5-2440

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 v3 vs Xeon E5-2440 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 v3 vs Xeon E5-2440: 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 v3

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.2% higher average FPS across 44 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $434 less on MSRP ($294 MSRP vs $728 MSRP).
✅Delivers 151.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 21.0 vs 8.4 PassMark/$ ($294 MSRP vs $728 MSRP).
✅Draws 45W instead of 95W, a 50W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 15 MB).

Xeon E5-2440

2012

Why buy it

✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E3-1265L v3 across 44 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,091 vs 6,187).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.4 vs 21.0 PassMark/$ ($728 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
❌111.1% higher power demand at 95W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Xeon E3-1265L v3 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1265L v3 better than Xeon E5-2440?

Yes. Xeon E3-1265L v3 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.2% average FPS lead across 44 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.6% 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 E3-1265L v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.2% more average FPS across 44 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1265L v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1265L v3 is the better buy right now. Xeon E3-1265L v3 comes in $434 cheaper on MSRP at $294 MSRP versus $728 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.2% average FPS lead across 44 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 151.5% better value on MSRP (21.0 vs 8.4 PassMark/$), 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 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2012) 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 E3-1265L v3 vs Xeon E5-2440 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E3-1265L v3

The Xeon E3-1265L v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,187 points. Launch price was $710.

Xeon E5-2440

The Xeon E5-2440 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 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 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: 6,091 points. Launch price was $295.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1265L v3 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2440 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2440 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Xeon E3-1265L v3 versus 2.9 GHz on the Xeon E5-2440 — a 24.2% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1265L v3 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Xeon E3-1265L v3 uses the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-2440 uses Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1265L v3 scores 6,187 against the Xeon E5-2440's 6,091 — a 1.6% lead for the Xeon E3-1265L v3. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1265L v3 vs 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2440.

Feature	Xeon E3-1265L v3	Xeon E5-2440
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+28%	2.9 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+4%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	8192 kB (total)	15360 kB (total)+88%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)	Sandy Bridge-EN (2012)
PassMark	6,187+2%	6,091
Geekbench 6 Single	996	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,458	—

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1265L v3 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E5-2440 uses LGA1356 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E3-1265L v3	Xeon E5-2440
Socket	LGA1150	LGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+150%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: Yes (Xeon E3-1265L v3) / not specified (Xeon E5-2440). The Xeon E3-1265L v3 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics P4600), while the Xeon E5-2440 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon E3-1265L v3 targets Server.

Feature	Xeon E3-1265L v3	Xeon E5-2440
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics P4600	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	Yes	—
Target Use	Server	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E3-1265L v3 was priced at $294, while the Xeon E5-2440 came in at $728. On launch pricing ($294 vs $728), Xeon E3-1265L v3 was $434 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1265L v3 delivers 21.0 pts/$ vs 8.4 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2440 — making the Xeon E3-1265L v3 the 86.2% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E3-1265L v3	Xeon E5-2440
MSRP	$294-60%	$728
Performance per Dollar	21.0+150%	8.4
Release Date	2013	2012

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