Xeon E3-1220 v2
CPU·Budget

Xeon E3-1220 v2

Intel

PassMark

4,680

14 May 2012 (13 years ago)
69 Watt
Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)

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.

Overview

The Xeon E3-1220 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 69 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,680 points. Launch price was $220.

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.

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

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

FPS Benchmarks

Predicted performance for Xeon E3-1220 v2 across popular games. Tested paired with RTX 4090 to isolate CPU performance.

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

1080p
low117 FPS
medium117 FPS
high117 FPS
ultra101 FPS
1440p
low117 FPS
medium117 FPS
high112 FPS
ultra89 FPS
4k
low109 FPS
medium98 FPS
high77 FPS
ultra57 FPS
Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077

1080p
low117 FPS
medium117 FPS
high117 FPS
ultra111 FPS
1440p
low117 FPS
medium117 FPS
high117 FPS
ultra97 FPS
4k
low108 FPS
medium98 FPS
high81 FPS
ultra60 FPS
Deadlock

Deadlock

1080p
low96 FPS
medium84 FPS
high73 FPS
ultra49 FPS
1440p
low86 FPS
medium75 FPS
high65 FPS
ultra43 FPS
4k
low45 FPS
medium39 FPS
high34 FPS
ultra25 FPS
Fortnite

Fortnite

1080p
low117 FPS
medium117 FPS
high117 FPS
ultra95 FPS
1440p
low117 FPS
medium117 FPS
high109 FPS
ultra65 FPS
4k
low107 FPS
medium86 FPS
high71 FPS
ultra47 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

1080p
low117 FPS
medium117 FPS
high117 FPS
ultra117 FPS
1440p
low117 FPS
medium117 FPS
high117 FPS
ultra117 FPS
4k
low117 FPS
medium117 FPS
high117 FPS
ultra117 FPS
Left 4 Dead 2

Left 4 Dead 2

1080p
low117 FPS
medium117 FPS
high117 FPS
ultra117 FPS
1440p
low117 FPS
medium117 FPS
high117 FPS
ultra117 FPS
4k
low117 FPS
medium117 FPS
high117 FPS
ultra117 FPS
Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

1080p
low117 FPS
medium117 FPS
high107 FPS
ultra85 FPS
1440p
low117 FPS
medium115 FPS
high89 FPS
ultra70 FPS
4k
low65 FPS
medium57 FPS
high44 FPS
ultra34 FPS
Rainbow Six Siege

Rainbow Six Siege

1080p
low117 FPS
medium105 FPS
high72 FPS
ultra56 FPS
1440p
low84 FPS
medium65 FPS
high46 FPS
ultra35 FPS
4k
low45 FPS
medium36 FPS
high21 FPS
ultra14 FPS
Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption 2

1080p
low78 FPS
medium57 FPS
high40 FPS
ultra27 FPS
1440p
low52 FPS
medium42 FPS
high31 FPS
ultra21 FPS
4k
low25 FPS
medium19 FPS
high15 FPS
ultra12 FPS
Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley

1080p
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
1440p
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
4k
low60 FPS
medium59 FPS
high58 FPS
ultra55 FPS

Technical Analysis

Detailed breakdown of Xeon E3-1220 v2 specifications and capabilities.

Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1220 v2 is a 4-core / 4-thread processor based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture, manufactured on a 22 nm process node. It reaches a maximum boost clock of 3.5 GHz from a base frequency of 3.1 GHz— higher boost clocks directly translate to better single-threaded performance and responsiveness in gaming. It carries 8 MB (total) of L3 cache, plus 256 kB (per core) of L2 cache and 64 kB (per core) of L1 cache per core. In the PassMark benchmark (a comprehensive multi-threaded test), it scores 4,680, placing it in the Entry Level performance tier as a Legacy generation product.

SpecificationXeon E3-1220 v2
Cores / ThreadsPhysical/logical processing units4C / 4T
Max Boost ClockPeak single-core speed under boost3.5 GHz
Base ClockGuaranteed minimum operating frequency3.1 GHz
ArchitectureCPU microarchitecture designIvy Bridge (2012−2013)
Process NodeFabrication technology — smaller = more efficient22 nm
L3 CacheShared cache — reduces memory latency for all cores8 MB (total)
L2 CachePer-core fast cache for frequently accessed data256 kB (per core)
L1 CacheUltra-fast per-core cache64 kB (per core)
Die SizePhysical silicon area of the processor160 mm2
Transistor CountMore transistors = more capabilities1,400 million
Bus SpeedData bus frequency5 GT/s
64-bit SupportYes
Windows 11 CompatibleNo
PassMark ScoreOverall multi-threaded benchmark score4,680
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1220 v2 fits into the LGA1155 socket and supports PCIe 3.0. It supports DDR3 memory.

SpecificationXeon E3-1220 v2
TypeDesktop or Laptop processorserver
SocketMotherboard socket requiredLGA1155
PCIe GenerationPeripheral interconnect speed — affects GPU and SSD bandwidthPCIe 3.0
RAM TypeSupported memory standardDDR3
Max CPUs in ConfigMulti-socket support for servers1
🌡️

Power & Cooling

The Xeon E3-1220 v2 has a rated TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 69 Watt — this indicates the amount of heat generated under sustained load and determines what cooling solution is needed.

SpecificationXeon E3-1220 v2
TDPThermal Design Power — heat output under sustained workload69 Watt
💰

Value Analysis

Performance ranking position: #1915 out of all indexed processors.

SpecificationXeon E3-1220 v2
Launch PriceOriginal retail price at launch$220
Performance RankPosition in overall performance ranking#1915
Release DateLaunch date14 May 2012 (13 years ago)
Release Year2012
DesignerArchitecture designer (e.g. Intel, AMD)Intel
ManufacturerFabrication foundry (e.g. TSMC)Intel

Specifications Reference

Raw spec sheet for quick lookup. The analysis cards above explain what these fields mean in practice.

4 categories

General Information

7 specs

Typeserver
DesignerIntel
Launch Price$220
ManufacturerIntel
Release Date14 May 2012 (13 years ago)
Architecture CodenameIvy Bridge (2012−2013)
Performance Ranking Position1915

Technical Specifications

13 specs

Cores4
Threads4
Die Size160 mm2
L1 Cache64 kB (per core)
L2 Cache256 kB (per core)
L3 Cache8 MB (total)
Bus Speed5 GT/s
Max Frequency3.5 GHz
64-Bit Support+
Base Frequency3.1 GHz
Transistor Count1,400 million
Process Technology22 nm
Windows 11 Compatible-

Compatibility

4 specs

SocketLGA1155
PCIe GenerationPCIe 3.0
Power Consumption (TDP)69 Watt
Max Processors In Config1

Memory

5 specs

RAM TypesDDR3
Memory Channels2
Memory Bandwidth25.6 GB/s
ECC Memory Support+
Max Memory Capacity32.77 GB

Our Recommendation for Xeon E3-1220 v2

Suggested pairings based on performance balance

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