Xeon E5-2643 vs Xeon E3-1220 v3
Xeon E5-2643
Xeon E3-1220 v3
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Xeon E5-2643 is positioned at rank 1009 and the Xeon E3-1220 v3 is on rank 548, so the Xeon E3-1220 v3 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2643
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1220 v3
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E5-2643 | Xeon E3-1220 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | Balanced gaming performance | Balanced gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($50) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($89) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell-WS (2013−2014) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E5-2643 | Xeon E3-1220 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+80%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($50) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($89) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E5-2643 and Xeon E3-1220 v3
Xeon E5-2643
The Xeon E5-2643 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 10240 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,228 points. Launch price was $218.
Xeon E3-1220 v3
The Xeon E3-1220 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,178 points. Launch price was $239.
Processing Power
The Xeon E5-2643 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Xeon E3-1220 v3's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2643 versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220 v3 — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Xeon E5-2643 uses the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E3-1220 v3 uses Haswell-WS (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2643 scores 5,228 against the Xeon E3-1220 v3's 5,178 — a 1% lead for the Xeon E5-2643. L3 cache: 10240 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2643 vs 8192 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1220 v3.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2643 | Xeon E3-1220 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.5 GHz | 3.5 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.3 GHz+6% | 3.1 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 10240 kB (total)+25% | 8192 kB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 22 nm-31% |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) | Haswell-WS (2013−2014) |
| PassMark | 5,228 | 5,178 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E5-2643 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E3-1220 v3 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2643 | Xeon E3-1220 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2011 | LGA1150 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+67% | PCIe 3.0 |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E5-2643 launched at $1552 MSRP, while the Xeon E3-1220 v3 debuted at $203. At current prices ($50 vs $89), the Xeon E5-2643 is $39 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-2643 delivers 104.6 pts/$ vs 58.2 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1220 v3 — making the Xeon E5-2643 the 57% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2643 | Xeon E3-1220 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $1552 | $203-87% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $50-44% | $89 |
| Performance per Dollar | 104.6+80% | 58.2 |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2013 |
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