Xeon E7-8880 v3 vs Xeon W-3225

Intel

Xeon E7-8880 v3

18 Cores36 Thrd140 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2015
Similar parts
·······
VS
Intel

Xeon W-3225

8 Cores16 Thrd160 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2019
Similar parts
·······

Xeon E7-8880 v3 vs Xeon W-3225 Performance Spectrum

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.

Xeon E7-8880 v3 vs Xeon W-3225 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 E7-8880 v3 vs Xeon W-3225: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E7-8880 v3

2015

Why buy it

  • +172.7% larger total L3 cache (45 MB vs 17 MB).
  • Draws 140W instead of 160W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W-3225 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (18,244 vs 18,251).
  • No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon W-3225

2019

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +10.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (17 MB vs 45 MB).
  • Launch MSRP is still $1,319 MSRP, while Xeon E7-8880 v3 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W-3225 better than Xeon E7-8880 v3?
Yes. Xeon W-3225 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 10.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Xeon W-3225 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 10.2% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon W-3225 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon W-3225 is the better buy right now. Xeon W-3225 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $1,319 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (13.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Xeon W-3225 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2015), more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 18/36, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E7-8880 v3 vs Xeon W-3225 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Xeon E7-8880 v3

The Xeon E7-8880 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EX (2015) architecture. It features 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 45 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 18,244 points. Launch price was $800.

Intel

Xeon W-3225

The Xeon W-3225 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 16.5 MB. L2 cache: 8 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 160 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 18,251 points. Launch price was $1,199.

Processing Power

The Xeon E7-8880 v3 packs 18 cores / 36 threads, while the Xeon W-3225 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E7-8880 v3 has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Xeon E7-8880 v3 versus 4.4 GHz on the Xeon W-3225 — a 34.7% clock advantage for the Xeon W-3225 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Xeon E7-8880 v3 uses the Haswell-EX (2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon W-3225 uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E7-8880 v3 scores 18,244 against the Xeon W-3225's 18,251 — a 0% lead for the Xeon W-3225. L3 cache: 45 MB (total) on the Xeon E7-8880 v3 vs 16.5 MB on the Xeon W-3225.

FeatureXeon E7-8880 v3Xeon W-3225
Cores / Threads
18 / 36+125%
8 / 16
Boost Clock
3.1 GHz
4.4 GHz+42%
Base Clock
2.3 GHz
3.7 GHz+61%
L3 Cache
45 MB (total)+173%
16.5 MB
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
8 MB+3100%
Process
22 nm
14 nm-36%
Architecture
Haswell-EX (2015)
Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark
18,244
18,251
Cinebench R23 Multi
11,500
Geekbench 6 Single
1,150
Geekbench 6 Multi
9,100
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E7-8880 v3 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W-3225 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureXeon E7-8880 v3Xeon W-3225
Socket
LGA2011
LGA3647
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity
1024 GB
RAM Channels
6
ECC Support
Yes
PCIe Lanes
64
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E7-8880 v3) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon W-3225). Primary use case: Xeon W-3225 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon W-3225 rivals Ryzen Threadripper 2920X.

FeatureXeon E7-8880 v3Xeon W-3225
Integrated GPU
No
IGPU Model
None
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Workstation