Xeon E3-1285 v6 vs Xeon E5-4620 v2

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 v6 vs Xeon E5-4620 v2 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 v6 vs Xeon E5-4620 v2: 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 v6

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 79W instead of 95W, a 16W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 21.1 vs 34.5 PassMark/$ ($450 MSRP vs $273 MSRP).

Xeon E5-4620 v2

2014

Why buy it

✅+150% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Costs $177 less on MSRP ($273 MSRP vs $450 MSRP).
✅Delivers 63.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 34.5 vs 21.1 PassMark/$ ($273 MSRP vs $450 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E3-1285 v6 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (9,424 vs 9,502).
❌20.3% higher power demand at 95W vs 79W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1285 v6 better than Xeon E5-4620 v2?

Yes. Xeon E3-1285 v6 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 8.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.8% 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 E3-1285 v6 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.3% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1285 v6 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1285 v6 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-4620 v2 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E3-1285 v6 comes in 64.8% more expensive on MSRP at $450 MSRP versus $273 MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E5-4620 v2 is also 63.5% better value on MSRP (34.5 vs 21.1 PassMark/$), 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 E3-1285 v6 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2014) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 8/16. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E3-1285 v6 vs Xeon E5-4620 v2 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E3-1285 v6

The Xeon E3-1285 v6 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 August 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake-DT (2017) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 79 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400, DDR3L-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 9,502 points. Launch price was $450.

Xeon E5-4620 v2

The Xeon E5-4620 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 9,424 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1285 v6 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-4620 v2 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-4620 v2 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1285 v6 versus 3 GHz on the Xeon E5-4620 v2 — a 40% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1285 v6 (base: 4.1 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Xeon E3-1285 v6 is built on the Kaby Lake-DT (2017) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1285 v6 scores 9,502 against the Xeon E5-4620 v2's 9,424 — a 0.8% lead for the Xeon E3-1285 v6. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1285 v6 vs 20 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon E5-4620 v2.

Feature	Xeon E3-1285 v6	Xeon E5-4620 v2
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	8 / 16+100%
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz+50%	3 GHz
Base Clock	4.1 GHz+58%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	20 MB Intel® Smart Cache+150%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	—
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake-DT (2017)	—
PassMark	9,502	9,424

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1285 v6 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E5-4620 v2 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E3-1285 v6	Xeon E5-4620 v2
Socket	LGA1151	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E3-1285 v6 was priced at $450, while the Xeon E5-4620 v2 came in at $273. On launch pricing ($450 vs $273), Xeon E5-4620 v2 was $177 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1285 v6 delivers 21.1 pts/$ vs 34.5 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-4620 v2 — making the Xeon E5-4620 v2 the 48.2% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E3-1285 v6	Xeon E5-4620 v2
MSRP	$450	$273-39%
Performance per Dollar	21.1	34.5+64%
Release Date	2017	2014

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