Xeon E3-1286L v3 vs Xeon X5680

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 E3-1286L v3 vs Xeon X5680 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 E3-1286L v3 vs Xeon X5680: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E3-1286L v3

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 65W instead of 130W, a 65W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon X5680 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).

Xeon X5680

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,910 vs 6,929).
❌Launch MSRP is still $450 MSRP, while Xeon E3-1286L v3 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌100% higher power demand at 130W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1286L v3 better than Xeon X5680?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon X5680 is ahead with a 3.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1286L v3 pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark. Xeon X5680 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1286L v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1286L v3 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon X5680 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E3-1286L v3 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $450 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon X5680 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon X5680 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (15.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E3-1286L 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 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E3-1286L v3 vs Xeon X5680 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E3-1286L v3

The Xeon E3-1286L v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 6,929 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon X5680

The Xeon X5680 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.33 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,910 points. Launch price was $172.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1286L v3 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon X5680 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon X5680 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Xeon E3-1286L v3 versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon X5680 — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1286L v3 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.33 GHz). The Xeon X5680 is built on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1286L v3 scores 6,929 against the Xeon X5680's 6,910 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon E3-1286L v3. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon E3-1286L v3 vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon X5680.

Feature	Xeon E3-1286L v3	Xeon X5680
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4 GHz+11%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz	3.33 GHz+4%
L3 Cache	8 MB Intel® Smart Cache	12 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	—	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	—	Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
PassMark	6,929	6,910

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1286L v3 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon X5680 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E3-1286L v3	Xeon X5680
Socket	LGA1150	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1333
RAM Channels	—	3
ECC Support	—	Yes

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E3-1286L v3) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5680). Primary use case: Xeon X5680 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon X5680 rivals Core i7-980X.