Xeon E3-1280 v2 vs Xeon E5-4620

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 E3-1280 v2 vs Xeon E5-4620 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 E3-1280 v2 vs Xeon E5-4620: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E3-1280 v2

2012

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,826 less on MSRP ($315 MSRP vs $2,141 MSRP).
✅Delivers 578.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 21.0 vs 3.1 PassMark/$ ($315 MSRP vs $2,141 MSRP).
✅Draws 69W instead of 130W, a 61W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,619 vs 6,635).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 16 MB).

Xeon E5-4620

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 3.1 vs 21.0 PassMark/$ ($2,141 MSRP vs $315 MSRP).
❌88.4% higher power demand at 130W vs 69W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1280 v2 better than Xeon E5-4620?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E3-1280 v2 is ahead with a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-4620 pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark. Xeon E5-4620 also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 8 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-4620 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Xeon E3-1280 v2 is the better buy right now. Xeon E3-1280 v2 comes in $1,826 cheaper on MSRP at $315 MSRP versus $2,141 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-4620 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.2% better PassMark. It is also 578.0% better value on MSRP (21.0 vs 3.1 PassMark/$), 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 E5-4620 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 100% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 8 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E3-1280 v2 vs Xeon E5-4620 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Xeon E5-4620

The Xeon E5-4620 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 16384 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,635 points. Launch price was $400.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1280 v2 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-4620 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-4620 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Xeon E3-1280 v2 versus 2.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-4620 — a 42.4% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1280 v2 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Xeon E3-1280 v2 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-4620 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1280 v2 scores 6,619 against the Xeon E5-4620's 6,635 — a 0.2% lead for the Xeon E5-4620. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1280 v2 vs 16384 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-4620.

Feature	Xeon E3-1280 v2	Xeon E5-4620
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	8 / 16+100%
Boost Clock	4 GHz+54%	2.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+64%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	16384 kB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
PassMark	6,619	6,635

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1280 v2 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-4620 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E3-1280 v2	Xeon E5-4620
Socket	LGA1155	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E3-1280 v2 was priced at $315, while the Xeon E5-4620 came in at $2141. On launch pricing ($315 vs $2141), Xeon E3-1280 v2 was $1826 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1280 v2 delivers 21.0 pts/$ vs 3.1 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-4620 — making the Xeon E3-1280 v2 the 148.6% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E3-1280 v2	Xeon E5-4620
MSRP	$315-85%	$2141
Performance per Dollar	21.0+577%	3.1
Release Date	2012	2012

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