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 E5-2640 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 E3-1270L v4 vs Xeon E5-2640 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 E3-1270L v4

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $3,534 less on MSRP ($581 MSRP vs $4,115 MSRP).
✅Delivers 611.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 13.2 vs 1.9 PassMark/$ ($581 MSRP vs $4,115 MSRP).
✅Draws 45W instead of 95W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2640 v2 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 20 MB).

Xeon E5-2640 v2

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+233.3% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 6 MB).
✅150% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,625 vs 7,662).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 1.9 vs 13.2 PassMark/$ ($4,115 MSRP vs $581 MSRP).
❌111.1% higher power demand at 95W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1270L v4 better than Xeon E5-2640 v2?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-2640 v2 is ahead with a 13.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1270L v4 pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2640 v2 also has the bigger cache pool with 233.3% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1270L v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1270L v4 is the better buy right now. Xeon E3-1270L v4 comes in $3,534 cheaper on MSRP at $581 MSRP versus $4,115 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2640 v2 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 13.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 611.7% better value on MSRP (13.2 vs 1.9 PassMark/$), 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 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 8/16. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E3-1270L v4 vs Xeon E5-2640 v2 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 E5-2640 v2

The Xeon E5-2640 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 7,625 points. Launch price was $728.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1270L v4 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2640 v2 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-2640 v2 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E3-1270L v4 versus 2.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2640 v2 — a 36.1% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1270L v4 (base: 3 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Xeon E3-1270L v4 uses the Broadwell-DT (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2640 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1270L v4 scores 7,662 against the Xeon E5-2640 v2's 7,625 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon E3-1270L v4. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1270L v4 vs 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2640 v2.

Feature	Xeon E3-1270L v4	Xeon E5-2640 v2
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	8 / 16+100%
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+44%	2.5 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz+50%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	20 MB (total)+233%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-DT (2015)	Ivy Bridge-EP (2013)
PassMark	7,662	7,625
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 E5-2640 v2 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1866 on the Xeon E3-1270L v4 versus DDR3-1600 on the Xeon E5-2640 v2 — the Xeon E3-1270L v4 supports 16.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-2640 v2 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 E5-2640 v2). PCIe lanes: 16 (Xeon E3-1270L v4) vs 40 (Xeon E5-2640 v2) — the Xeon E5-2640 v2 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C226 (Xeon E3-1270L v4) and Intel X79,Intel C602 (Xeon E5-2640 v2).

Feature	Xeon E3-1270L v4	Xeon E5-2640 v2
Socket	LGA1150	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1866+17%	DDR3-1600
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

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E3-1270L v4) / not specified (Xeon E5-2640 v2). Primary use case: Xeon E3-1270L v4 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon E3-1270L v4 rivals Core i7-4790T.

Feature	Xeon E3-1270L v4	Xeon E5-2640 v2
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Workstation	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E3-1270L v4 was priced at $581, while the Xeon E5-2640 v2 came in at $4115. On launch pricing ($581 vs $4115), Xeon E3-1270L v4 was $3534 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1270L v4 delivers 13.2 pts/$ vs 1.9 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2640 v2 — making the Xeon E3-1270L v4 the 150.7% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E3-1270L v4	Xeon E5-2640 v2
MSRP	$581-86%	$4115
Performance per Dollar	13.2+595%	1.9
Release Date	2015	2013

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