Xeon E3-1280 v2
VS
Core i7-10610U

Xeon E3-1280 v2 vs Core i7-10610U

Intel

Xeon E3-1280 v2

4 Cores8 Thrd69 WWMax: 4 GHz2012
VS
Intel

Core i7-10610U

4 Cores8 Thrd25 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2020

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 E3-1280 v2 is positioned at rank 612 and the Core i7-10610U is on rank 965, so the Xeon E3-1280 v2 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 E3-1280 v2

#1
Xeon Platinum 8454H
MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A
9892%
#6
Xeon Gold 6240R
MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A
1868%
#10
Xeon 6337P
MSRP: $60|Avg: $5
1659%
#15
EPYC 9174F
MSRP: $194|Avg: $30
1282%
#366
Xeon Silver 4216
MSRP: $1011|Avg: $800
99%
#367
EPYC 9454P
MSRP: $4598|Avg: $3333
98%
#369
Xeon Gold 6542Y
MSRP: $2878|Avg: N/A
95%
#370
EPYC 7502
MSRP: $2600|Avg: $1299
95%
#371
Xeon 6730P
MSRP: $3726|Avg: $3726
95%
#372
Xeon Gold 6330
MSRP: $2128|Avg: $2128
94%
#373
Xeon Gold 6548Y+
MSRP: $3726|Avg: $3726
94%
#612
Xeon E3-1280 v2
MSRP: $315|Avg: $50
100%
#618
Xeon W-2133
MSRP: $617|Avg: $617
97%
#622
Xeon E5607
MSRP: $135|Avg: $27
95%
#626
Xeon Silver 4209T
MSRP: $563|Avg: $649
94%
#627
Xeon E3-1240
MSRP: $273|Avg: $39
93%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-10610U

#953
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
1898%
#954
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
1870%
#955
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
1717%
#956
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
1709%
#957
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
1693%
#959
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
1635%
#960
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
1568%
#961
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
1565%
#962
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
1523%
#965
Core i7-10610U
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#968
Core i7-4710MQ
MSRP: $378|Avg: $378
99%
#970
Celeron T3100
MSRP: $62|Avg: $62
99%
#971
Core i7-4800MQ
MSRP: $380|Avg: $378
98%
#977
Phenom II X2 N640
MSRP: $100|Avg: $55
97%
#978
A10-8700P
MSRP: $150|Avg: $40
97%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i7-10610U (2020) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightXeon E3-1280 v2Core i7-10610U
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($50)
More affordable ($0)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)
✨ Modern (Comet Lake-U (2019−2020) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon E3-1280 v2 (2012) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightXeon E3-1280 v2Core i7-10610U
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($50)
More affordable ($0)

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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E3-1280 v2 and Core i7-10610U

Intel

Xeon E3-1280 v2

The Xeon E3-1280 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 69 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,619 points. Launch price was $645.

Intel

Core i7-10610U

The Core i7-10610U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-U (2019−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,586 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

Both the Xeon E3-1280 v2 and Core i7-10610U share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Xeon E3-1280 v2 versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-10610U — a 20.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-10610U (base: 3.6 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Xeon E3-1280 v2 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-10610U uses Comet Lake-U (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1280 v2 scores 6,619 against the Core i7-10610U's 6,586 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon E3-1280 v2. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

FeatureXeon E3-1280 v2Core i7-10610U
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
4 / 8
Boost Clock
4 GHz
4.9 GHz+23%
Base Clock
3.6 GHz+100%
1.8 GHz
L3 Cache
8 MB (total)
8 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
256K (per core)
Process
22 nm
14 nm-36%
Architecture
Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
Comet Lake-U (2019−2020)
PassMark
6,619
6,586
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1280 v2 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-10610U uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureXeon E3-1280 v2Core i7-10610U
Socket
LGA1155
FCBGA1528
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0