Xeon E3-1286 v3 vs Xeon X7550

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 E3-1286 v3 vs Xeon X7550 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 E3-1286 v3 vs Xeon X7550: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E3-1286 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 84W instead of 130W, a 46W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon X7550 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 18 MB).

Xeon X7550

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+125% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,873 vs 7,879).
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,500 MSRP, while Xeon E3-1286 v3 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌54.8% higher power demand at 130W vs 84W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1286 v3 better than Xeon X7550?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon X7550 is ahead with a 5.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1286 v3 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark. Xeon X7550 also has the bigger cache pool with 125% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 8 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1286 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1286 v3 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon X7550 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E3-1286 v3 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,500 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon X7550 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 5.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon X7550 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (5.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E3-1286 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2010) 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 E3-1286 v3 vs Xeon X7550 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Xeon X7550

The Xeon X7550 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB L3 Cache. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1567. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-978, DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, Speed-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 7,873 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1286 v3 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon X7550 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon X7550 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Xeon E3-1286 v3 versus 2.4 GHz on the Xeon X7550 — a 52.3% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1286 v3 (base: 3.7 GHz vs 2 GHz). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1286 v3 scores 7,879 against the Xeon X7550's 7,873 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E3-1286 v3. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon E3-1286 v3 vs 18 MB L3 Cache on the Xeon X7550.

Feature	Xeon E3-1286 v3	Xeon X7550
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	8 / 16+100%
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz+71%	2.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+85%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB Intel® Smart Cache	18 MB L3 Cache+125%
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
PassMark	7,879	7,873

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1286 v3 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon X7550 uses LGA1567 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E3-1286 v3	Xeon X7550
Socket	LGA1150	LGA1567
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1333
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E3-1286 v3) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X7550). Primary use case: Xeon X7550 targets Server. Direct competitor: Xeon X7550 rivals Core i7-980X.