Xeon E3-1268L v5 vs Xeon E3-1290 v2

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 E3-1268L v5 vs Xeon E3-1290 v2 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 E3-1268L v5 vs Xeon E3-1290 v2: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E3-1268L v5

2015

Why buy it

✅Costs $508 less on MSRP ($377 MSRP vs $885 MSRP).
✅Delivers 134.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 16.8 vs 7.2 PassMark/$ ($377 MSRP vs $885 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 87W, a 52W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E3-1290 v2 across 9 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,334 vs 6,354).

Xeon E3-1290 v2

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +15.0% higher average FPS across 9 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.2 vs 16.8 PassMark/$ ($885 MSRP vs $377 MSRP).
❌148.6% higher power demand at 87W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1290 v2 better than Xeon E3-1268L v5?

Yes. Xeon E3-1290 v2 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 15.0% average FPS lead across 9 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E3-1290 v2 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 15.0% more average FPS across 9 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1290 v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1290 v2 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E3-1268L v5 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E3-1290 v2 comes in 134.7% more expensive on MSRP at $885 MSRP versus $377 MSRP, and it still gives you a 15.0% average FPS lead across 9 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E3-1268L v5 is also 134.0% better value on MSRP (16.8 vs 7.2 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Xeon E3-1268L v5 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E3-1268L v5 vs Xeon E3-1290 v2 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E3-1268L v5

The Xeon E3-1268L v5 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-DT (2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,334 points. Launch price was $377.

Xeon E3-1290 v2

The Xeon E3-1290 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 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 87 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,354 points. Launch price was $885.

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Processing Power

Both the Xeon E3-1268L v5 and Xeon E3-1290 v2 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Xeon E3-1268L v5 versus 4.1 GHz on the Xeon E3-1290 v2 — a 18.7% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1290 v2 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Xeon E3-1268L v5 uses the Skylake-DT (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1290 v2 uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1268L v5 scores 6,334 against the Xeon E3-1290 v2's 6,354 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon E3-1290 v2. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Xeon E3-1268L v5	Xeon E3-1290 v2
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	4.1 GHz+21%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	3.7 GHz+54%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Skylake-DT (2015)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	6,334	6,354

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1268L v5 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1290 v2 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E3-1268L v5	Xeon E3-1290 v2
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E3-1268L v5 was priced at $377, while the Xeon E3-1290 v2 came in at $885. On launch pricing ($377 vs $885), Xeon E3-1268L v5 was $508 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1268L v5 delivers 16.8 pts/$ vs 7.2 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1290 v2 — making the Xeon E3-1268L v5 the 80.2% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E3-1268L v5	Xeon E3-1290 v2
MSRP	$377-57%	$885
Performance per Dollar	16.8+133%	7.2
Release Date	2015	2012

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