
Xeon E3-1285 v4 vs Xeon E3-1286 v3

Xeon E3-1285 v4

Xeon E3-1286 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 E3-1285 v4 is positioned at rank 748 and the Xeon E3-1286 v3 is on rank 379, so the Xeon E3-1286 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 E3-1285 v4
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1286 v3
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E3-1285 v4 | Xeon E3-1286 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($200) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-DT (2015) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E3-1285 v4 | Xeon E3-1286 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($200) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 E3-1285 v4 and Xeon E3-1286 v3

Xeon E3-1285 v4
The Xeon E3-1285 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Broadwell-DT (2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,735 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon E3-1286 v3
The Xeon E3-1286 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): 84 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 7,879 points. Launch price was $800.
Processing Power
Both the Xeon E3-1285 v4 and Xeon E3-1286 v3 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E3-1285 v4 versus 4.1 GHz on the Xeon E3-1286 v3 — a 7.6% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1286 v3 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Xeon E3-1285 v4 is built on the Broadwell-DT (2015) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1285 v4 scores 7,735 against the Xeon E3-1286 v3's 7,879 — a 1.8% lead for the Xeon E3-1286 v3. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1285 v4 vs 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon E3-1286 v3.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1285 v4 | Xeon E3-1286 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.8 GHz | 4.1 GHz+8% |
| Base Clock | 3.5 GHz | 3.7 GHz+6% |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache+33% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | — |
| Process | 14 nm-36% | 22 nm |
| Architecture | Broadwell-DT (2015) | — |
| PassMark | 7,735 | 7,879+2% |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the LGA1150 socket with PCIe 5.0.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1285 v4 | Xeon E3-1286 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1150 | LGA1150 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+67% | PCIe 3.0 |
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