CPU
GPU
Xeon E3-1275 v6
Xeon E5-2680
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Xeon E3-1275 v6 is positioned at rank 471 and the Xeon E5-2680 is on rank 1014, so the Xeon E3-1275 v6 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1275 v6
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2680
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E3-1275 v6 | Xeon E5-2680 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($142) | ✅ More affordable ($40) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E3-1275 v6 | Xeon E5-2680 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+258%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($142) | ✅ More affordable ($40) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E3-1275 v6 and Xeon E5-2680
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.
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+300% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm-56% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Kaby Lake (2016−2019) | Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) |
| PassMark | 9,202 | 9,289 |
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 | — | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 40 |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E3-1275 v6 launched at $499 MSRP, while the Xeon E5-2680 debuted at $3226. At current prices ($142 vs $40), the Xeon E5-2680 is $102 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1275 v6 delivers 64.8 pts/$ vs 232.2 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2680 — making the Xeon E5-2680 the 112.7% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1275 v6 | Xeon E5-2680 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $499-85% | $3226 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $142 | $40-72% |
| Performance per Dollar | 64.8 | 232.2+258% |
| Release Date | 2017 | 2012 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Xeon E3-1275 v6 and Xeon E5-2680
