Xeon E3-1280 v3 vs Xeon Phi 7210

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 v3 vs Xeon Phi 7210 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 v3 vs Xeon Phi 7210: 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 v3

2013

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,631 less on MSRP ($250 MSRP vs $1,881 MSRP).
✅Delivers 646.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 29.0 vs 3.9 PassMark/$ ($250 MSRP vs $1,881 MSRP).
✅Draws 82W instead of 215W, a 133W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Phi 7210 across 48 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (7,252 vs 7,306).

Xeon Phi 7210

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.2% higher average FPS across 48 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 3.9 vs 29.0 PassMark/$ ($1,881 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
❌162.2% higher power demand at 215W vs 82W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Phi 7210 better than Xeon E3-1280 v3?

Yes. Xeon Phi 7210 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 10.2% average FPS lead across 48 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.7% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon Phi 7210 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 10.2% more average FPS across 48 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Phi 7210 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 64 cores and 256 threads.

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

Xeon Phi 7210 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E3-1280 v3 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon Phi 7210 comes in 652.4% more expensive on MSRP at $1,881 MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.2% average FPS lead across 48 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E3-1280 v3 is also 646.8% better value on MSRP (29.0 vs 3.9 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Xeon Phi 7210 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 64 cores / 256 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 v3 vs Xeon Phi 7210 Technical Specifications

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

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 Phi 7210

The Xeon Phi 7210 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Knights Landing (2016) architecture. It features 64 cores and 256 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 1.5 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 215 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,306 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1280 v3 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon Phi 7210 offers 64 cores / 256 threads — the Xeon Phi 7210 has 60 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Xeon E3-1280 v3 versus 1.5 GHz on the Xeon Phi 7210 — a 90.9% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1280 v3 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 1.3 GHz). The Xeon E3-1280 v3 uses the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon Phi 7210 uses Knights Landing (2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1280 v3 scores 7,252 against the Xeon Phi 7210's 7,306 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon Phi 7210. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1280 v3 vs 0 kB (total) on the Xeon Phi 7210.

Feature	Xeon E3-1280 v3	Xeon Phi 7210
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	64 / 256+1500%
Boost Clock	4 GHz+167%	1.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+177%	1.3 GHz
L3 Cache	8192 kB (total)	0 kB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)	Knights Landing (2016)
PassMark	7,252	7,306

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1280 v3 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Phi 7210 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E3-1280 v3	Xeon Phi 7210
Socket	LGA1150	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E3-1280 v3 was priced at $250, while the Xeon Phi 7210 came in at $1881. On launch pricing ($250 vs $1881), Xeon E3-1280 v3 was $1631 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1280 v3 delivers 29.0 pts/$ vs 3.9 pts/$ for the Xeon Phi 7210 — making the Xeon E3-1280 v3 the 152.8% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E3-1280 v3	Xeon Phi 7210
MSRP	$250-87%	$1881
Performance per Dollar	29.0+644%	3.9
Release Date	2013	2016

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