Xeon E3-1280 v6 vs Xeon E5-2629 V3

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 v6 vs Xeon E5-2629 V3 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 v6 vs Xeon E5-2629 V3: 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 v6

2017

Why buy it

✅Draws 72W instead of 85W, a 13W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (9,093 vs 9,139).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 20 MB).

Xeon E5-2629 V3

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅+150% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌18.1% higher power demand at 85W vs 72W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1280 v6 better than Xeon E5-2629 V3?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E3-1280 v6 is ahead with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2629 V3 pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2629 V3 also has the bigger cache pool with 150% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 8 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2629 V3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 150% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Xeon E3-1280 v6 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E3-1280 v6 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Xeon E3-1280 v6 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2014). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E3-1280 v6 vs Xeon E5-2629 V3 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E3-1280 v6

The Xeon E3-1280 v6 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 March 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 72 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400, DDR3L-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 9,093 points. Launch price was $612.

Xeon E5-2629 V3

The Xeon E5-2629 V3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 85 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4 1866 MHz Quad-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 9,139 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1280 v6 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2629 V3 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-2629 V3 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Xeon E3-1280 v6 versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon E5-2629 V3 — a 27% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1280 v6 (base: 3.9 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Xeon E3-1280 v6 uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2629 V3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1280 v6 scores 9,093 against the Xeon E5-2629 V3's 9,139 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon E5-2629 V3. L3 cache: 8 MB on the Xeon E3-1280 v6 vs 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2629 V3.

Feature	Xeon E3-1280 v6	Xeon E5-2629 V3
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	8 / 16+100%
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+31%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.9 GHz+63%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB	20 MB (total)+150%
L2 Cache	1 MB	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	9,093	9,139

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1280 v6 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2629 V3 uses LGA2011-3 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.