Xeon E3-1268L v5 vs Xeon E5-4617

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 E5-4617 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 E5-4617: 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

✅Better for gaming: +12.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 35W instead of 130W, a 95W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 15 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 16.8 vs 70.0 PassMark/$ ($377 MSRP vs $90 MSRP).

Xeon E5-4617

2012

Why buy it

✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Costs $287 less on MSRP ($90 MSRP vs $377 MSRP).
✅Delivers 316.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 70.0 vs 16.8 PassMark/$ ($90 MSRP vs $377 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E3-1268L v5 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,298 vs 6,334).
❌271.4% higher power demand at 130W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1268L v5 better than Xeon E5-4617?

Yes. Xeon E3-1268L v5 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 12.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.6% 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 E3-1268L v5 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 12.0% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1268L v5 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1268L v5 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-4617 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E3-1268L v5 comes in 318.9% more expensive on MSRP at $377 MSRP versus $90 MSRP, and it still gives you a 12.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E5-4617 is also 316.5% better value on MSRP (70.0 vs 16.8 PassMark/$), 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) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/6. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E3-1268L v5 vs Xeon E5-4617 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 E5-4617

The Xeon E5-4617 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,298 points. Launch price was $90.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1268L v5 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-4617 offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the Xeon E5-4617 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Xeon E3-1268L v5 versus 3.4 GHz on the Xeon E5-4617 — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Xeon E3-1268L v5 uses the Skylake-DT (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-4617 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1268L v5 scores 6,334 against the Xeon E5-4617's 6,298 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon E3-1268L v5. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1268L v5 vs 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-4617.

Feature	Xeon E3-1268L v5	Xeon E5-4617
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 6+50%
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	2.9 GHz+21%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	15360 kB (total)+88%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Skylake-DT (2015)	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
PassMark	6,334	6,298

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1268L v5 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-4617 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E3-1268L v5	Xeon E5-4617
Socket	LGA1151	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E3-1268L v5 was priced at $377, while the Xeon E5-4617 came in at $90. On launch pricing ($377 vs $90), Xeon E5-4617 was $287 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1268L v5 delivers 16.8 pts/$ vs 70.0 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-4617 — making the Xeon E5-4617 the 122.6% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E3-1268L v5	Xeon E5-4617
MSRP	$377	$90-76%
Performance per Dollar	16.8	70.0+317%
Release Date	2015	2012

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