Xeon E3-1275L v3 vs Xeon E5-1428L V2

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 E3-1275L v3 vs Xeon E5-1428L V2 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 E3-1275L v3 vs Xeon E5-1428L V2: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E3-1275L v3

2014

Why buy it

✅+1.2% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $144 less on MSRP ($350 MSRP vs $494 MSRP).
✅Delivers 42.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 18.1 vs 12.7 PassMark/$ ($350 MSRP vs $494 MSRP).
✅Draws 45W instead of 60W, a 15W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-1428L V2 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 15 MB).

Xeon E5-1428L V2

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,255 vs 6,327).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.7 vs 18.1 PassMark/$ ($494 MSRP vs $350 MSRP).
❌33.3% higher power demand at 60W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Xeon E3-1275L v3 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1275L v3 better than Xeon E5-1428L V2?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-1428L V2 is ahead with a 8.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1275L v3 pulls ahead with 1.2% better PassMark. Xeon E5-1428L V2 also has the bigger cache pool with 87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1275L v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1275L v3 is the better buy right now. Xeon E3-1275L v3 comes in $144 cheaper on MSRP at $350 MSRP versus $494 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-1428L V2 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 8.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 42.8% better value on MSRP (18.1 vs 12.7 PassMark/$), 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 E5-1428L V2 is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Xeon E3-1275L v3 vs Xeon E5-1428L V2 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Xeon E5-1428L V2

The Xeon E5-1428L V2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 60 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 6,255 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1275L v3 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-1428L V2 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-1428L V2 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E3-1275L v3 versus 2.7 GHz on the Xeon E5-1428L V2 — a 36.4% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1275L v3 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Xeon E5-1428L V2 is built on the Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1275L v3 scores 6,327 against the Xeon E5-1428L V2's 6,255 — a 1.1% lead for the Xeon E3-1275L v3. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon E3-1275L v3 vs 15 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1428L V2.

Feature	Xeon E3-1275L v3	Xeon E5-1428L V2
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+44%	2.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+23%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB Intel® Smart Cache	15 MB (total)+88%
L2 Cache	—	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	—	Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014)
PassMark	6,327+1%	6,255
Geekbench 6 Single	900	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,000	—

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1275L v3 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1428L V2 uses LGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E3-1275L v3	Xeon E5-1428L V2
Socket	LGA1150	LGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
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 (Xeon E3-1275L v3) / not specified (Xeon E5-1428L V2). The Xeon E3-1275L v3 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics P4600), while the Xeon E5-1428L V2 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	Xeon E5-1428L V2
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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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E3-1275L v3 was priced at $350, while the Xeon E5-1428L V2 came in at $494. On launch pricing ($350 vs $494), Xeon E3-1275L v3 was $144 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1275L v3 delivers 18.1 pts/$ vs 12.7 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-1428L V2 — making the Xeon E3-1275L v3 the 35.2% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E3-1275L v3	Xeon E5-1428L V2
MSRP	$350-29%	$494
Performance per Dollar	18.1+43%	12.7
Release Date	2014	2014

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