Xeon E3-1270L v4 vs Xeon E5-2620 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 E3-1270L v4 vs Xeon E5-2620 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 E3-1270L v4 vs Xeon E5-2620 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 E3-1270L v4

2015

Why buy it

✅Draws 45W instead of 85W, a 40W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2620 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (7,662 vs 7,734).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 15 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.2 vs 18.5 PassMark/$ ($581 MSRP vs $417 MSRP).

Xeon E5-2620 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+150% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Costs $164 less on MSRP ($417 MSRP vs $581 MSRP).
✅Delivers 40.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 18.5 vs 13.2 PassMark/$ ($417 MSRP vs $581 MSRP).
✅150% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌88.9% higher power demand at 85W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2620 v3 better than Xeon E3-1270L v4?

Yes. Xeon E5-2620 v3 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 8.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.9% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-2620 v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.9% 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 E5-2620 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 150% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2620 v3 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-2620 v3 comes in $164 cheaper on MSRP at $417 MSRP versus $581 MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 40.6% better value on MSRP (18.5 vs 13.2 PassMark/$), 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 E3-1270L v4 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2014). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E3-1270L v4 vs Xeon E5-2620 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E3-1270L v4

The Xeon E3-1270L 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 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600, DDR3L-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 7,662 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon E5-2620 v3

The Xeon E5-2620 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 85 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 7,734 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1270L v4 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2620 v3 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2620 v3 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E3-1270L v4 versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon E5-2620 v3 — a 11.8% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1270L v4 (base: 3 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Xeon E3-1270L v4 uses the Broadwell-DT (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2620 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1270L v4 scores 7,662 against the Xeon E5-2620 v3's 7,734 — a 0.9% lead for the Xeon E5-2620 v3. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1270L v4 vs 15 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2620 v3.

Feature	Xeon E3-1270L v4	Xeon E5-2620 v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+12%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz+25%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	15 MB (total)+150%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-DT (2015)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	7,662	7,734
Geekbench 6 Single	1,289	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	4,271	—

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1270L v4 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2620 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1866 memory speed. The Xeon E5-2620 v3 supports up to 768 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 2300% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Xeon E3-1270L v4) vs 4 (Xeon E5-2620 v3). PCIe lanes: 16 (Xeon E3-1270L v4) vs 40 (Xeon E5-2620 v3) — the Xeon E5-2620 v3 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C226 (Xeon E3-1270L v4) and Intel X99,Intel C612 (Xeon E5-2620 v3).

Feature	Xeon E3-1270L v4	Xeon E5-2620 v3
Socket	LGA1150	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1866	DDR4-1866
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	768 GB+2300%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	40+150%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Xeon E5-2620 v3 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Primary use case: Xeon E3-1270L v4 targets Workstation, Xeon E5-2620 v3 targets Server. Direct competitor: Xeon E3-1270L v4 rivals Core i7-4790T.

Feature	Xeon E3-1270L v4	Xeon E5-2620 v3
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Workstation	Server

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E3-1270L v4 was priced at $581, while the Xeon E5-2620 v3 came in at $417. On launch pricing ($581 vs $417), Xeon E5-2620 v3 was $164 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1270L v4 delivers 13.2 pts/$ vs 18.5 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2620 v3 — making the Xeon E5-2620 v3 the 33.8% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E3-1270L v4	Xeon E5-2620 v3
MSRP	$581	$417-28%
Performance per Dollar	13.2	18.5+40%
Release Date	2015	2014

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