Xeon E3-1265L v4 vs Xeon E3-1286L v3

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 v4 vs Xeon E3-1286L v3 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 v4 vs Xeon E3-1286L v3: 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 v4

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Pro Graphics P6300, while Xeon E3-1286L v3 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $417 MSRP, while Xeon E3-1286L v3 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E3-1286L v3

2014

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,929 vs 6,954).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Xeon E3-1265L v4 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1265L v4 better than Xeon E3-1286L v3?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E3-1286L v3 is ahead with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1265L v4 pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. Xeon E3-1286L v3 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1265L v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1265L v4 is the better buy right now. Xeon E3-1265L v4 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $417 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E3-1286L v3 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (16.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 v4 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2014) 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 v4 vs Xeon E3-1286L v3 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E3-1265L v4

The Xeon E3-1265L v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Broadwell-DT (2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600, DDR3L-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 6,954 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon E3-1286L v3

The Xeon E3-1286L v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 6,929 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

Both the Xeon E3-1265L v4 and Xeon E3-1286L v3 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Xeon E3-1265L v4 versus 4 GHz on the Xeon E3-1286L v3 — a 19.2% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1286L v3 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Xeon E3-1265L v4 is built on the Broadwell-DT (2015) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1265L v4 scores 6,954 against the Xeon E3-1286L v3's 6,929 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon E3-1265L v4. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1265L v4 vs 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon E3-1286L v3.

Feature	Xeon E3-1265L v4	Xeon E3-1286L v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz	4 GHz+21%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	3.2 GHz+39%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB Intel® Smart Cache+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	—
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-DT (2015)	—
PassMark	6,954	6,929
Cinebench R23 Multi	4,500	—
Geekbench 6 Single	900	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,000	—

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1150 socket with PCIe 5.0.

Feature	Xeon E3-1265L v4	Xeon E3-1286L v3
Socket	LGA1150	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1866	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E3-1265L v4) / not specified (Xeon E3-1286L v3). The Xeon E3-1265L v4 includes integrated graphics (Iris Pro Graphics P6300), while the Xeon E3-1286L v3 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon E3-1265L v4 targets Server.