Xeon E3-1281 v3 vs Xeon E3-1276 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.

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 E3-1281 v3 is positioned at rank 758 and the Xeon E3-1276 v3 is on rank 416, so the Xeon E3-1276 v3 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 E3-1281 v3

#1

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

15203%

#6

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

2870%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

2550%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

1970%

#436

Xeon Gold 5218T

MSRP: $1572|Avg: $1349

100%

#437

Xeon 6960P

MSRP: $9625|Avg: $9625

99%

#438

EPYC 9555

MSRP: $9826|Avg: $7973

99%

#439

Xeon Gold 6338

MSRP: $2990|Avg: $1604

98%

#440

Xeon Gold 6538N

MSRP: $3351|Avg: $170

98%

#441

EPYC 7F52

MSRP: $3100|Avg: $1826

98%

#442

EPYC 7542

MSRP: $3400|Avg: $899

98%

#443

EPYC 9655

MSRP: $11852|Avg: $11852

96%

#444

Xeon 6781P

MSRP: $8960|Avg: $8960

96%

#445

Xeon Gold 6338N

MSRP: $3200|Avg: $3200

96%

#446

Xeon Gold 5117

MSRP: $1286|Avg: $300

96%

#758

Xeon E3-1281 v3

MSRP: $555|Avg: $636

100%

#768

Xeon E3-1270L v4

MSRP: $581|Avg: $636

96%

#771

Xeon E3-1545M v5

MSRP: $581|Avg: $636

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1276 v3

#1

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

5869%

#3

Xeon W-11955M

MSRP: $623|Avg: $450

98%

#6

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

1108%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

985%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

761%

#278

Xeon Gold 5416S

MSRP: $1445|Avg: N/A

99%

#279

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

MSRP: $1149|Avg: $1130

98%

#281

EPYC 7402P

MSRP: $1280|Avg: $1090

97%

#416

Xeon E3-1276 v3

MSRP: $213|Avg: $244

100%

#425

Xeon E5-4620 v2

MSRP: $273|Avg: $30

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Xeon E3-1281 v3 delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Xeon E3-1276 v3 in both compute-intensive tasks (0.6% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Xeon E3-1281 v3	Xeon E3-1276 v3
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($636)	✅ More affordable ($244)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Value Proposition: While both processors are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Xeon E3-1276 v3 holds the technical lead in efficiency. Priced at $244 (vs $636), it costs 62% less. While offering basic entry-level performance, it results in a 159% higher cost efficiency score compared to the Xeon E3-1281 v3.

Insight	Xeon E3-1281 v3	Xeon E3-1276 v3
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+159%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($636)	✅ More affordable ($244)

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.

Xeon E3-1281 v3 Benchmark Check

Xeon E3-1276 v3 Benchmark Check

Loading...

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E3-1281 v3 and Xeon E3-1276 v3

Xeon E3-1281 v3

The Xeon E3-1281 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 82 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 7,587 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon E3-1276 v3

The Xeon E3-1276 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4 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: 7,543 points. Launch price was $800.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Xeon E3-1281 v3 and Xeon E3-1276 v3 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Xeon E3-1281 v3 versus 4 GHz on the Xeon E3-1276 v3 — a 2.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1281 v3 (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1281 v3 scores 7,587 against the Xeon E3-1276 v3's 7,543 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon E3-1281 v3. Both processors carry 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache of L3 cache.

Feature	Xeon E3-1281 v3	Xeon E3-1276 v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz+2%	4 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+3%	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB Intel® Smart Cache	8 MB Intel® Smart Cache
Process	22 nm	22 nm
PassMark	7,587	7,543

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1150 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Xeon E3-1281 v3	Xeon E3-1276 v3
Socket	LGA1150	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0

💰

Value Analysis

The Xeon E3-1281 v3 launched at $555 MSRP, while the Xeon E3-1276 v3 debuted at $213. At current prices ($636 vs $244), the Xeon E3-1276 v3 is $392 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1281 v3 delivers 11.9 pts/$ vs 30.9 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1276 v3 — making the Xeon E3-1276 v3 the 88.6% better value option.