Xeon E3-1285 v4 vs Xeon E5-2620 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 E3-1285 v4 vs Xeon E5-2620 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 E3-1285 v4 vs Xeon E5-2620 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 E3-1285 v4

2015

Why buy it

✅+0% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2620 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 15 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.9 vs 18.5 PassMark/$ ($556 MSRP vs $417 MSRP).

Xeon E5-2620 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+150% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Costs $139 less on MSRP ($417 MSRP vs $556 MSRP).
✅Delivers 33.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 18.5 vs 13.9 PassMark/$ ($417 MSRP vs $556 MSRP).
✅Draws 85W instead of 95W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,734 vs 7,735).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2620 v3 better than Xeon E3-1285 v4?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-2620 v3 is ahead with a 6.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1285 v4 pulls ahead with 0% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2620 v3 also has the bigger cache pool with 150% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1285 v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon E5-2620 v3 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-2620 v3 comes in $139 cheaper on MSRP at $417 MSRP versus $556 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E3-1285 v4 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0% better PassMark. It is also 33.3% better value on MSRP (18.5 vs 13.9 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Xeon E3-1285 v4 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2014) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E3-1285 v4 vs Xeon E5-2620 v3 Technical Specifications

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

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 E5-2620 v3

The Xeon E5-2620 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 85 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 7,734 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1285 v4 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2620 v3 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2620 v3 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E3-1285 v4 versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon E5-2620 v3 — a 17.1% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1285 v4 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Xeon E3-1285 v4 uses the Broadwell-DT (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2620 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1285 v4 scores 7,735 against the Xeon E5-2620 v3's 7,734 — a 0% lead for the Xeon E3-1285 v4. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1285 v4 vs 15 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2620 v3.

Feature	Xeon E3-1285 v4	Xeon E5-2620 v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+19%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+46%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	15 MB (total)+150%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-DT (2015)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	7,735	7,734

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1285 v4 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E5-2620 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E3-1285 v4	Xeon E5-2620 v3
Socket	LGA1150	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-1866
Max RAM Capacity	—	768 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E3-1285 v4) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E5-2620 v3). Primary use case: Xeon E5-2620 v3 targets Server.

Feature	Xeon E3-1285 v4	Xeon E5-2620 v3
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	Yes
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Server

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E3-1285 v4 was priced at $556, while the Xeon E5-2620 v3 came in at $417. On launch pricing ($556 vs $417), Xeon E5-2620 v3 was $139 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1285 v4 delivers 13.9 pts/$ vs 18.5 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2620 v3 — making the Xeon E5-2620 v3 the 28.6% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E3-1285 v4	Xeon E5-2620 v3
MSRP	$556	$417-25%
Performance per Dollar	13.9	18.5+33%
Release Date	2015	2014

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