Xeon E3-1270 v2 vs Xeon W3670

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 E3-1270 v2 vs Xeon W3670 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 E3-1270 v2 vs Xeon W3670: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E3-1270 v2

2012

Why buy it

✅Draws 69W instead of 130W, a 61W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).

Xeon W3670

2010

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,424 vs 6,498).
❌Launch MSRP is still $250 MSRP, while Xeon E3-1270 v2 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌88.4% higher power demand at 130W vs 69W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1270 v2 better than Xeon W3670?

Yes. Xeon E3-1270 v2 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.2% 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 E3-1270 v2 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.1% 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 E3-1270 v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1270 v2 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon W3670 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E3-1270 v2 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon W3670 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (25.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E3-1270 v2 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2010) 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 E3-1270 v2 vs Xeon W3670 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E3-1270 v2

The Xeon E3-1270 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 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 69 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,498 points. Launch price was $192.

Xeon W3670

The Xeon W3670 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 August 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Gulftown (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.46 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,424 points. Launch price was $295.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1270 v2 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon W3670 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon W3670 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E3-1270 v2 versus 3.46 GHz on the Xeon W3670 — a 12% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1270 v2 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Xeon E3-1270 v2 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon W3670 uses Gulftown (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1270 v2 scores 6,498 against the Xeon W3670's 6,424 — a 1.1% lead for the Xeon E3-1270 v2. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1270 v2 vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon W3670.

Feature	Xeon E3-1270 v2	Xeon W3670
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+13%	3.46 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+9%	3.2 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	12 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Gulftown (2010−2011)
PassMark	6,498+1%	6,424
Geekbench 6 Single	672	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,032	—

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1270 v2 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W3670 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E3-1270 v2	Xeon W3670
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	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: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon E3-1270 v2) / not specified (Xeon W3670). Primary use case: Xeon E3-1270 v2 targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Xeon E3-1270 v2 rivals Core i7-3770.