CPU
GPU
Xeon E3-1275L v3
Core i7-4960HQ
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 E3-1275L v3 is positioned at rank 650 and the Core i7-4960HQ is on rank 72, so the Core i7-4960HQ offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1275L v3
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-4960HQ
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E3-1275L v3 | Core i7-4960HQ |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($29) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Crystalwell (2013−2014) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E3-1275L v3 | Core i7-4960HQ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($29) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 E3-1275L v3 and Core i7-4960HQ
Xeon E3-1275L v3
The Xeon E3-1275L v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 6,327 points. Launch price was $800.
Core i7-4960HQ
The Core i7-4960HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,370 points. Launch price was $657.
Processing Power
Both the Xeon E3-1275L v3 and Core i7-4960HQ share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E3-1275L v3 versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-4960HQ — a 2.6% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1275L v3 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i7-4960HQ is built on the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1275L v3 scores 6,327 against the Core i7-4960HQ's 6,370 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i7-4960HQ. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon E3-1275L v3 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4960HQ.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1275L v3 | Core i7-4960HQ |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.9 GHz+3% | 3.8 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.7 GHz+4% | 2.6 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache | 8 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | — | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm | 22 nm |
| Architecture | — | Crystalwell (2013−2014) |
| PassMark | 6,327 | 6,370 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 900 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 3,000 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E3-1275L v3 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4960HQ uses BGA1364 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1275L v3 | Core i7-4960HQ |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1150 | BGA1364 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ✅ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E3-1275L v3) / not specified (Core i7-4960HQ). The Xeon E3-1275L v3 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics P4600), while the Core i7-4960HQ requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon E3-1275L v3 targets Low Power Server. Direct competitor: Xeon E3-1275L v3 rivals Xeon E3-1270 v3.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1275L v3 | Core i7-4960HQ |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics P4600 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
| Target Use | Low Power Server | — |
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The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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