Xeon E3-1275 v2 vs Xeon E5-2623 v3

Intel

Xeon E3-1275 v2

4 Cores8 Thrd77 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2012
VS
Intel

Xeon E5-2623 v3

4 Cores8 Thrd105 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2014

Xeon E3-1275 v2 vs Xeon E5-2623 v3 Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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 E3-1275 v2 vs Xeon E5-2623 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 E3-1275 v2 vs Xeon E5-2623 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 E3-1275 v2

2012

Why buy it

  • βœ…+8.6% higher Geekbench multi-core.
  • βœ…Costs $18 less on MSRP ($426 MSRP vs $444 MSRP).
  • βœ…Draws 77W instead of 105W, a 28W reduction.
  • βœ…Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics P4000, while Xeon E5-2623 v3 needs a discrete GPU.
  • βœ…Includes a boxed cooler (Intel Stock), unlike Xeon E5-2623 v3.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2623 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 10 MB).

Xeon E5-2623 v3

2014

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +3.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…+25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB).
  • βœ…100% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (3,683 vs 4,000).
  • ❌
    4.2% HIGHER MSRP
    $444 MSRPvs$426 MSRP
  • ❌36.4% higher power demand at 105W vs 77W.
  • ❌No integrated graphics, while Xeon E3-1275 v2 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
  • ❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Xeon E3-1275 v2.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1275 v2 better than Xeon E5-2623 v3?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-2623 v3 is ahead with a 3.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1275 v2 pulls ahead with 8.6% better Geekbench multi-core. Xeon E5-2623 v3 also has the bigger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1275 v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 8.6% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon E3-1275 v2 is the better buy right now. Xeon E3-1275 v2 comes in $18 cheaper on MSRP at $426 MSRP versus $444 MSRP, and it still gives you 8.6% better Geekbench multi-core. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2623 v3 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 4.1% better value on MSRP (15.6 vs 15.0 PassMark/$), 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 E5-2623 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2012) and 25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E3-1275 v2 vs Xeon E5-2623 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Xeon E3-1275 v2

The Xeon E3-1275 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012βˆ’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): 77 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,644 points. Launch price was $808.

Intel

Xeon E5-2623 v3

The Xeon E5-2623 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014βˆ’2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 6,652 points. Launch price was $800.

⚑

Processing Power

Both the Xeon E3-1275 v2 and Xeon E5-2623 v3 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E3-1275 v2 versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2623 v3 β€” a 10.8% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1275 v2 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Xeon E3-1275 v2 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012βˆ’2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-2623 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014βˆ’2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1275 v2 scores 6,644 against the Xeon E5-2623 v3's 6,652 β€” a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E5-2623 v3. Geekbench 6 single-core β€” the metric most relevant to gaming β€” records 1,000 vs 899, a 10.6% lead for the Xeon E3-1275 v2 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 4,000 vs 3,683 (8.3% advantage for the Xeon E3-1275 v2). L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1275 v2 vs 10 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2623 v3.

FeatureXeon E3-1275 v2Xeon E5-2623 v3
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
4 / 8
Boost Clock
3.9 GHz+11%
3.5 GHz
Base Clock
3.5 GHz+17%
3 GHz
L3 Cache
8 MB (total)
10 MB (total)+25%
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
256K (per core)
Process
22 nm
22 nm
Architecture
Ivy Bridge (2012βˆ’2013)
Haswell-EP (2014βˆ’2015)
PassMark
6,644
6,652
Geekbench 6 Single
1,000+11%
899
Geekbench 6 Multi
4,000+9%
3,683
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1275 v2 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2623 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Xeon E3-1275 v2 versus DDR4-1866 on the Xeon E5-2623 v3 β€” the Xeon E5-2623 v3 supports 16.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-2623 v3 supports up to 768 GB of RAM compared to 32.77 GB β€” 2243.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Xeon E3-1275 v2) vs 4 (Xeon E5-2623 v3). PCIe lanes: 20 (Xeon E3-1275 v2) vs 40 (Xeon E5-2623 v3) β€” the Xeon E5-2623 v3 offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C202,C204,C206,C216,B75,H77,Z77 (Xeon E3-1275 v2) and C612,X99 (Xeon E5-2623 v3).

FeatureXeon E3-1275 v2Xeon E5-2623 v3
Socket
LGA1155
LGA2011
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1600
DDR4-1866+17%
Max RAM Capacity
32.77 GB
768 GB+2244%
RAM Channels
2
4+100%
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
40+100%
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E3-1275 v2) vs Yes (Xeon E5-2623 v3). The Xeon E3-1275 v2 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics P4000), while the Xeon E5-2623 v3 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon E3-1275 v2 targets Server/Workstation, Xeon E5-2623 v3 targets Server.

FeatureXeon E3-1275 v2Xeon E5-2623 v3
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics P4000
β€”
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Yes
Target Use
Server/Workstation
Server
πŸ’°

Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E3-1275 v2 was priced at $426, while the Xeon E5-2623 v3 came in at $444. On launch pricing ($426 vs $444), Xeon E3-1275 v2 was $18 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1275 v2 delivers 15.6 pts/$ vs 15.0 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2623 v3 β€” making the Xeon E3-1275 v2 the 4% better value option.

FeatureXeon E3-1275 v2Xeon E5-2623 v3
MSRP
$426-4%
$444
Performance per Dollar
15.6+4%
15.0
Release Date
2012
2014

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