Xeon E3-1280 v3 vs Xeon E3-1246 v3
Xeon E3-1280 v3
Xeon E3-1246 v3
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 v3 is positioned at rank 496 and the Xeon E3-1246 v3 is on rank 842, so the Xeon E3-1280 v3 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1280 v3
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1246 v3
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E3-1280 v3 | Xeon E3-1246 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($44) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($215) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell-WS (2013−2014) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E3-1280 v3 | Xeon E3-1246 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+390%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($44) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($215) |
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 E3-1280 v3 and Xeon E3-1246 v3
Xeon E3-1280 v3
The Xeon E3-1280 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 82 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,252 points. Launch price was $800.
Xeon E3-1246 v3
The Xeon E3-1246 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 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): 84 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 7,228 points. Launch price was $800.
Processing Power
Both the Xeon E3-1280 v3 and Xeon E3-1246 v3 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Xeon E3-1280 v3 versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E3-1246 v3 — a 2.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1280 v3 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Xeon E3-1280 v3 is built on the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1280 v3 scores 7,252 against the Xeon E3-1246 v3's 7,228 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon E3-1280 v3. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1280 v3 vs 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon E3-1246 v3.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1280 v3 | Xeon E3-1246 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 4 GHz+3% | 3.9 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.6 GHz+3% | 3.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8192 kB (total) | 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | — |
| Process | 22 nm | 22 nm |
| Architecture | Haswell-WS (2013−2014) | — |
| PassMark | 7,252 | 7,228 |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the LGA1150 socket with PCIe 3.0.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1280 v3 | Xeon E3-1246 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1150 | LGA1150 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E3-1280 v3 launched at $250 MSRP, while the Xeon E3-1246 v3 debuted at $667. At current prices ($44 vs $215), the Xeon E3-1280 v3 is $171 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1280 v3 delivers 164.8 pts/$ vs 33.6 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1246 v3 — making the Xeon E3-1280 v3 the 132.2% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1280 v3 | Xeon E3-1246 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $250-63% | $667 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $44-80% | $215 |
| Performance per Dollar | 164.8+390% | 33.6 |
| Release Date | 2013 | 2014 |
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