Xeon E3-1275 v6 vs Xeon E5-2680

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 v6 vs Xeon E5-2680 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 v6 vs Xeon E5-2680: 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 v6

2017

Why buy it

✅Costs $2,727 less on MSRP ($499 MSRP vs $3,226 MSRP).
✅Delivers 540.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 18.4 vs 2.9 PassMark/$ ($499 MSRP vs $3,226 MSRP).
✅Draws 73W instead of 130W, a 57W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (9,202 vs 9,289).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 20 MB).

Xeon E5-2680

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅+150% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 8 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 2.9 vs 18.4 PassMark/$ ($3,226 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
❌78.1% higher power demand at 130W vs 73W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1275 v6 better than Xeon E5-2680?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E3-1275 v6 is ahead with a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2680 pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2680 also has the bigger cache pool with 150% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 8 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2680 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 150% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Xeon E3-1275 v6 is the better buy right now. Xeon E3-1275 v6 comes in $2,727 cheaper on MSRP at $499 MSRP versus $3,226 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2680 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.9% better PassMark. It is also 540.4% better value on MSRP (18.4 vs 2.9 PassMark/$), 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 E3-1275 v6 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E3-1275 v6 vs Xeon E5-2680 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E3-1275 v6

The Xeon E3-1275 v6 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 March 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400, DDR3L-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 9,202 points. Launch price was $339.

Xeon E5-2680

The Xeon E5-2680 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 9,289 points. Launch price was $1,723.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1275 v6 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2680 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-2680 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Xeon E3-1275 v6 versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2680 — a 18.2% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1275 v6 (base: 3.8 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Xeon E3-1275 v6 uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2680 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1275 v6 scores 9,202 against the Xeon E5-2680's 9,289 — a 0.9% lead for the Xeon E5-2680. L3 cache: 8 MB on the Xeon E3-1275 v6 vs 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2680.

Feature	Xeon E3-1275 v6	Xeon E5-2680
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	8 / 16+100%
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+20%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.8 GHz+41%	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB	20 MB (total)+150%
L2 Cache	1 MB	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
PassMark	9,202	9,289

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1275 v6 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2680 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E3-1275 v6	Xeon E5-2680
Socket	LGA1151	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	384 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E3-1275 v6 was priced at $499, while the Xeon E5-2680 came in at $3226. On launch pricing ($499 vs $3226), Xeon E3-1275 v6 was $2727 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1275 v6 delivers 18.4 pts/$ vs 2.9 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2680 — making the Xeon E3-1275 v6 the 146% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E3-1275 v6	Xeon E5-2680
MSRP	$499-85%	$3226
Performance per Dollar	18.4+534%	2.9
Release Date	2017	2012

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