Xeon E3-1265L v4 vs Xeon E5-1620 v3
Xeon E3-1265L v4
Xeon E5-1620 v3
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 v4 is positioned at rank 674 and the Xeon E5-1620 v3 is on rank 577, so the Xeon E5-1620 v3 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 v4
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-1620 v3
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E3-1265L v4 | Xeon E5-1620 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($80) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($189) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-DT (2015) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell-EP (2014−2015) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E3-1265L v4 | Xeon E5-1620 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+136%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($80) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($189) |
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 v4 and Xeon E5-1620 v3
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 E5-1620 v3
The Xeon E5-1620 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1333, DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 6,959 points. Launch price was $800.
Processing Power
Both the Xeon E3-1265L v4 and Xeon E5-1620 v3 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Xeon E3-1265L v4 versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-1620 v3 — a 8.7% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-1620 v3 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Xeon E3-1265L v4 uses the Broadwell-DT (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-1620 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1265L v4 scores 6,954 against the Xeon E5-1620 v3's 6,959 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E5-1620 v3. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1265L v4 vs 10 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1620 v3.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1265L v4 | Xeon E5-1620 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.3 GHz | 3.6 GHz+9% |
| Base Clock | 2.3 GHz | 3.5 GHz+52% |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 10 MB (total)+67% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm-36% | 22 nm |
| Architecture | Broadwell-DT (2015) | Haswell-EP (2014−2015) |
| PassMark | 6,954 | 6,959 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 4,500 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 900 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 3,000 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E3-1265L v4 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E5-1620 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1866 on the Xeon E3-1265L v4 versus DDR4-2133 on the Xeon E5-1620 v3 — the Xeon E5-1620 v3 supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-1620 v3 supports up to 768 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 184% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Xeon E3-1265L v4) vs 4 (Xeon E5-1620 v3). PCIe lanes: 16 (Xeon E3-1265L v4) vs 40 (Xeon E5-1620 v3) — the Xeon E5-1620 v3 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C226 (Xeon E3-1265L v4) and Intel X99,Intel C612 (Xeon E5-1620 v3).
| Feature | Xeon E3-1265L v4 | Xeon E5-1620 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1150 | LGA2011 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+67% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1866 | DDR4-2133+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 768 GB+2300% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 4+100% |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 40+150% |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Xeon E5-1620 v3 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Xeon E3-1265L v4 includes integrated graphics (Iris Pro Graphics P6300), while the Xeon E5-1620 v3 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon E3-1265L v4 targets Server, Xeon E5-1620 v3 targets Server.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1265L v4 | Xeon E5-1620 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Iris Pro Graphics P6300 | — |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Server | Server |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E3-1265L v4 launched at $417 MSRP, while the Xeon E5-1620 v3 debuted at $294. At current prices ($80 vs $189), the Xeon E3-1265L v4 is $109 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1265L v4 delivers 86.9 pts/$ vs 36.8 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-1620 v3 — making the Xeon E3-1265L v4 the 81% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1265L v4 | Xeon E5-1620 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $417 | $294-29% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $80-58% | $189 |
| Performance per Dollar | 86.9+136% | 36.8 |
| Release Date | 2015 | 2014 |
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