Xeon W-2104 vs Xeon E3-1226 v3

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 W-2104 is positioned at rank 640 and the Xeon E3-1226 v3 is on rank 521, so the Xeon E3-1226 v3 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon W-2104

#1

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

11049%

#6

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

2086%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

1853%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

1432%

#382

Xeon Platinum 8352Y

MSRP: $3995|Avg: N/A

100%

#383

EPYC 7551P

MSRP: $2100|Avg: $329

96%

#384

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX

MSRP: $7349|Avg: $7999

96%

#385

EPYC 9375F

MSRP: $5306|Avg: $108

96%

#640

Xeon W-2104

MSRP: $294|Avg: $309

100%

#643

Xeon E5-2620 v3

MSRP: $417|Avg: $80

99%

#650

Xeon E3-1275L v3

MSRP: $350|Avg: $29

96%

#652

Xeon E5-1650 v3

MSRP: $583|Avg: N/A

95%

#654

Xeon E3-1225

MSRP: $224|Avg: $205

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1226 v3

#1

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

7516%

#6

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

1419%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

1261%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

974%

#321

Xeon W-3335

MSRP: $1430|Avg: $1200

99%

#322

EPYC 9354P

MSRP: $2730|Avg: $2205

99%

#323

EPYC 9224

MSRP: $1825|Avg: $1199

96%

#324

Xeon Gold 6423N

MSRP: $2161|Avg: $2161

96%

#325

Xeon w7-3565X

MSRP: $2689|Avg: $2850

95%

#326

Xeon W-1290TE

MSRP: $552|Avg: $552

95%

#521

Xeon E3-1226 v3

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#535

Xeon E3-1241 v3

MSRP: $273|Avg: $27

95%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Xeon W-2104 (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Xeon W-2104	Xeon E3-1226 v3
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($309)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Skylake (server) (2017−2018) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Haswell-WS (2013−2014) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon E3-1226 v3 (2014) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Xeon W-2104	Xeon E3-1226 v3
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($309)	✅ More affordable ($0)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Xeon W-2104 Benchmark Check

Xeon E3-1226 v3 Benchmark Check

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

No prediction data available

Path of Exile 2

No prediction data available

Path of Exile 2

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Xeon W-2104 and Xeon E3-1226 v3

Xeon W-2104

The Xeon W-2104 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 August 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8.25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 5,530 points. Launch price was $255.

Xeon E3-1226 v3

The Xeon E3-1226 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 84 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,529 points. Launch price was $213.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Xeon W-2104 and Xeon E3-1226 v3 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Xeon W-2104 versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon E3-1226 v3 — a 14.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1226 v3 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Xeon W-2104 uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1226 v3 uses Haswell-WS (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon W-2104 scores 5,530 against the Xeon E3-1226 v3's 5,529 — a 0% lead for the Xeon W-2104. L3 cache: 8.25 MB (total) on the Xeon W-2104 vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1226 v3.

Feature	Xeon W-2104	Xeon E3-1226 v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.7 GHz+16%
Base Clock	3.2 GHz	3.3 GHz+3%
L3 Cache	8.25 MB (total)+3%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)+300%	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)
PassMark	5,530	5,529

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon W-2104 uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1226 v3 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.