Xeon E3-1276 v3 vs Xeon E5-2450

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 E3-1276 v3 is positioned at rank 416 and the Xeon E5-2450 is on rank 839, so the Xeon E3-1276 v3 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1276 v3

#1

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

5869%

#3

Xeon W-11955M

MSRP: $623|Avg: $450

98%

#6

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

1108%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

985%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

761%

#278

Xeon Gold 5416S

MSRP: $1445|Avg: N/A

99%

#279

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

MSRP: $1149|Avg: $1130

98%

#281

EPYC 7402P

MSRP: $1280|Avg: $1090

97%

#416

Xeon E3-1276 v3

MSRP: $213|Avg: $244

100%

#425

Xeon E5-4620 v2

MSRP: $273|Avg: $30

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2450

#1

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

19137%

#6

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

3613%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

3210%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

2480%

#475

EPYC 9965

MSRP: $14813|Avg: $10000

100%

#476

EPYC 9745

MSRP: $12141|Avg: $10588

99%

#477

EPYC 7J13

MSRP: $7890|Avg: $150

99%

#478

EPYC 7702

MSRP: $6450|Avg: $2035

99%

#479

EPYC 7763

MSRP: $7890|Avg: $1513

99%

#480

EPYC 9734

MSRP: $9600|Avg: $6598

98%

#481

Xeon Platinum 8160M

MSRP: $5000|Avg: $350

98%

#482

Xeon 6724P

MSRP: $3622|Avg: $3622

97%

#839

Xeon E5-2450

MSRP: $694|Avg: $795

100%

#840

Xeon E5-2630L v2

MSRP: $612|Avg: $149

100%

#842

Xeon E3-1246 v3

MSRP: $667|Avg: $215

100%

#843

Xeon W3540

MSRP: $284|Avg: $10

100%

#844

Xeon E-2124G

MSRP: $667|Avg: $462

100%

#852

Xeon E5-2407

MSRP: $250|Avg: $25

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Xeon E5-2450 leads in gaming performance. However, the Xeon E3-1276 v3 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.1% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Xeon E3-1276 v3	Xeon E5-2450
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($244)	⚠️ Higher cost ($795)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Xeon E3-1276 v3 stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 69% cheaper ($244 vs $795) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Xeon E3-1276 v3	Xeon E5-2450
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+226%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($244)	⚠️ Higher cost ($795)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Xeon E3-1276 v3 Benchmark Check

Xeon E5-2450 Benchmark Check

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Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E3-1276 v3 and Xeon E5-2450

Xeon E3-1276 v3

The Xeon E3-1276 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 84 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 7,543 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon E5-2450

The Xeon E5-2450 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 7,534 points. Launch price was $500.

⚡

Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1276 v3 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2450 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-2450 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Xeon E3-1276 v3 versus 2.9 GHz on the Xeon E5-2450 — a 31.9% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1276 v3 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Xeon E5-2450 is built on the Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1276 v3 scores 7,543 against the Xeon E5-2450's 7,534 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E3-1276 v3. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon E3-1276 v3 vs 20480 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2450.

Feature	Xeon E3-1276 v3	Xeon E5-2450
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	8 / 16+100%
Boost Clock	4 GHz+38%	2.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+71%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB Intel® Smart Cache	20480 kB (total)+150%
L2 Cache	—	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	—	Sandy Bridge-EN (2012)
PassMark	7,543	7,534

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1276 v3 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2450 uses LGA1356 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E3-1276 v3	Xeon E5-2450
Socket	LGA1150	LGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0

💰

Value Analysis

The Xeon E3-1276 v3 launched at $213 MSRP, while the Xeon E5-2450 debuted at $694. At current prices ($244 vs $795), the Xeon E3-1276 v3 is $551 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1276 v3 delivers 30.9 pts/$ vs 9.5 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2450 — making the Xeon E3-1276 v3 the 106.1% better value option.