Xeon E3-1270 v3 vs Xeon E3-1280 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 E3-1270 v3 vs Xeon E3-1280 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 E3-1270 v3 vs Xeon E3-1280 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 E3-1270 v3

2013

Why buy it

✅Draws 80W instead of 82W, a 2W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,236 vs 7,252).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 21.3 vs 29.0 PassMark/$ ($339 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).

Xeon E3-1280 v3

2013

Why buy it

✅Costs $89 less on MSRP ($250 MSRP vs $339 MSRP).
✅Delivers 35.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 29.0 vs 21.3 PassMark/$ ($250 MSRP vs $339 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1280 v3 better than Xeon E3-1270 v3?

Yes. Xeon E3-1280 v3 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.2% 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 E3-1280 v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.1% 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 E3-1280 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1280 v3 is the better buy right now. Xeon E3-1280 v3 comes in $89 cheaper on MSRP at $250 MSRP versus $339 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 35.9% better value on MSRP (29.0 vs 21.3 PassMark/$), 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 E3-1280 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 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 E3-1270 v3 vs Xeon E3-1280 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E3-1270 v3

The Xeon E3-1270 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,236 points. Launch price was $370.

Xeon E3-1280 v3

The Xeon E3-1280 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 82 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,252 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

Both the Xeon E3-1270 v3 and Xeon E3-1280 v3 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E3-1270 v3 versus 4 GHz on the Xeon E3-1280 v3 — a 2.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1280 v3 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). Both are built on the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture using a 22 nm process. In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1270 v3 scores 7,236 against the Xeon E3-1280 v3's 7,252 — a 0.2% lead for the Xeon E3-1280 v3. Both processors carry 8192 kB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Xeon E3-1270 v3	Xeon E3-1280 v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	4 GHz+3%
Base Clock	3.5 GHz	3.6 GHz+3%
L3 Cache	8192 kB (total)	8192 kB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)
PassMark	7,236	7,252

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1150 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Xeon E3-1270 v3	Xeon E3-1280 v3
Socket	LGA1150	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E3-1270 v3 was priced at $339, while the Xeon E3-1280 v3 came in at $250. On launch pricing ($339 vs $250), Xeon E3-1280 v3 was $89 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1270 v3 delivers 21.3 pts/$ vs 29.0 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1280 v3 — making the Xeon E3-1280 v3 the 30.4% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E3-1270 v3	Xeon E3-1280 v3
MSRP	$339	$250-26%
Performance per Dollar	21.3	29.0+36%
Release Date	2013	2013

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