
Xeon E5-4620 v2 vs Xeon E3-1285 v6

Xeon E5-4620 v2

Xeon E3-1285 v6
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 E5-4620 v2 is positioned at rank 425 and the Xeon E3-1285 v6 is on rank 455, so the Xeon E5-4620 v2 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-4620 v2
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1285 v6
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E5-4620 v2 | Xeon E3-1285 v6 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($30) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($450) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 22 nm) | ✨ Modern (Kaby Lake-DT (2017) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E5-4620 v2 | Xeon E3-1285 v6 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+1388%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($30) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($450) |
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 E5-4620 v2 and Xeon E3-1285 v6

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.

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.
Processing Power
The Xeon E5-4620 v2 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E3-1285 v6 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Xeon E5-4620 v2 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Xeon E5-4620 v2 versus 4.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1285 v6 — a 40% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1285 v6 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 4.1 GHz). The Xeon E3-1285 v6 is built on the Kaby Lake-DT (2017) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E5-4620 v2 scores 9,424 against the Xeon E3-1285 v6's 9,502 — a 0.8% lead for the Xeon E3-1285 v6. L3 cache: 20 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon E5-4620 v2 vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1285 v6.
| Feature | Xeon E5-4620 v2 | Xeon E3-1285 v6 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 16+100% | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3 GHz | 4.5 GHz+50% |
| Base Clock | 2.6 GHz | 4.1 GHz+58% |
| L3 Cache | 20 MB Intel® Smart Cache+150% | 8 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | — | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm | 14 nm-36% |
| Architecture | — | Kaby Lake-DT (2017) |
| PassMark | 9,424 | 9,502 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E5-4620 v2 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1285 v6 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon E5-4620 v2 | Xeon E3-1285 v6 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2011 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 5.0+67% |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E5-4620 v2 launched at $273 MSRP, while the Xeon E3-1285 v6 debuted at $450.
| Feature | Xeon E5-4620 v2 | Xeon E3-1285 v6 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $273-39% | $450 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $30 | — |
| Release Date | 2014 | 2017 |
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