Xeon E3-1285L v4 vs Xeon E3-1535M v6

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 E3-1285L v4 vs Xeon E3-1535M v6 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 E3-1285L v4 vs Xeon E3-1535M v6: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Xeon E3-1285L v4

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.

Xeon E3-1535M v6

2017

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,077 vs 8,092).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1535M v6 better than Xeon E3-1285L v4?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E3-1535M v6 is ahead with a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1285L v4 pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark. Xeon E3-1535M v6 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1285L v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1535M v6 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E3-1535M v6 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Xeon E3-1535M v6 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2015) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E3-1285L v4 vs Xeon E3-1535M v6 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E3-1285L v4

The Xeon E3-1285L 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 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600, DDR3L-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 8,092 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon E3-1535M v6

The Xeon E3-1535M v6 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 8,077 points. Launch price was $623.

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Processing Power

Both the Xeon E3-1285L v4 and Xeon E3-1535M v6 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E3-1285L v4 versus 4.2 GHz on the Xeon E3-1535M v6 — a 10% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1535M v6 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Xeon E3-1285L v4 uses the Broadwell-DT (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1535M v6 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1285L v4 scores 8,092 against the Xeon E3-1535M v6's 8,077 — a 0.2% lead for the Xeon E3-1285L v4. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1285L v4 vs 8 MB on the Xeon E3-1535M v6.

Feature	Xeon E3-1285L v4	Xeon E3-1535M v6
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4.2 GHz+11%
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+10%	3.1 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-DT (2015)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	8,092	8,077

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1285L v4 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E3-1535M v6 uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.