Xeon E3-1271 v3 vs Xeon E5-1630 v4

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 E3-1271 v3 vs Xeon E5-1630 v4 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 E3-1271 v3 vs Xeon E5-1630 v4: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E3-1271 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅Draws 80W instead of 140W, a 60W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-1630 v4 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (7,504 vs 7,561).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 10 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $727 MSRP, while Xeon E5-1630 v4 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-1630 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌75% higher power demand at 140W vs 80W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-1630 v4 better than Xeon E3-1271 v3?

Yes. Xeon E5-1630 v4 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 12.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.8% 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 E5-1630 v4 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 12.6% 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 E5-1630 v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Xeon E5-1630 v4 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E3-1271 v3 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E5-1630 v4 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $727 MSRP, and it still gives you a 12.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E3-1271 v3 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (10.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E5-1630 v4 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2014), 25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB), and 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 E3-1271 v3 vs Xeon E5-1630 v4 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E3-1271 v3

The Xeon E3-1271 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 7,504 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon E5-1630 v4

The Xeon E5-1630 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-EP (2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 7,561 points. Launch price was $406.

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Processing Power

Both the Xeon E3-1271 v3 and Xeon E5-1630 v4 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Xeon E3-1271 v3 versus 4 GHz on the Xeon E5-1630 v4 — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Xeon E5-1630 v4 is built on the Broadwell-EP (2016) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1271 v3 scores 7,504 against the Xeon E5-1630 v4's 7,561 — a 0.8% lead for the Xeon E5-1630 v4. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon E3-1271 v3 vs 10 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1630 v4.

Feature	Xeon E3-1271 v3	Xeon E5-1630 v4
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4 GHz	4 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz	3.7 GHz+3%
L3 Cache	8 MB Intel® Smart Cache	10 MB (total)+25%
L2 Cache	—	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	—	Broadwell-EP (2016)
PassMark	7,504	7,561
Geekbench 6 Single	1,308	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	4,328	—

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1271 v3 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1630 v4 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E3-1271 v3	Xeon E5-1630 v4
Socket	LGA1150	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
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 E3-1271 v3) / not specified (Xeon E5-1630 v4). Primary use case: Xeon E3-1271 v3 targets Server. Direct competitor: Xeon E3-1271 v3 rivals Core i7-4770.