Xeon E3-1260L v5
CPU·Budget

Xeon E3-1260L v5

Intel

PassMark

8,237

19 October 2015 (10 years ago)
45 Watt
Skylake-DT (2015)

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 E3-1260L v5 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-DT (2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866/2133, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 8,237 points. Launch price was $294.

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 E3-1260L v5 across popular games. Tested paired with RTX 4090 to isolate CPU performance.

Among Us

Among Us

1080p
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
1440p
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
4k
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

1080p
low206 FPS
medium177 FPS
high160 FPS
ultra125 FPS
1440p
low179 FPS
medium154 FPS
high138 FPS
ultra112 FPS
4k
low141 FPS
medium125 FPS
high101 FPS
ultra76 FPS
Dead by Daylight

Dead by Daylight

1080p
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
1440p
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
4k
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high55 FPS
ultra54 FPS
Euro Truck Simulator 2

Euro Truck Simulator 2

1080p
low206 FPS
medium185 FPS
high166 FPS
ultra146 FPS
1440p
low192 FPS
medium171 FPS
high153 FPS
ultra139 FPS
4k
low153 FPS
medium134 FPS
high118 FPS
ultra98 FPS
Final Fantasy XIV

Final Fantasy XIV

1080p
low206 FPS
medium186 FPS
high145 FPS
ultra115 FPS
1440p
low194 FPS
medium170 FPS
high137 FPS
ultra100 FPS
4k
low104 FPS
medium94 FPS
high80 FPS
ultra56 FPS
Fortnite

Fortnite

1080p
low206 FPS
medium206 FPS
high133 FPS
ultra94 FPS
1440p
low183 FPS
medium144 FPS
high102 FPS
ultra67 FPS
4k
low102 FPS
medium82 FPS
high67 FPS
ultra49 FPS
Garry's Mod

Garry's Mod

1080p
low206 FPS
medium206 FPS
high206 FPS
ultra206 FPS
1440p
low206 FPS
medium206 FPS
high206 FPS
ultra187 FPS
4k
low206 FPS
medium188 FPS
high147 FPS
ultra136 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

1080p
low206 FPS
medium206 FPS
high206 FPS
ultra206 FPS
1440p
low206 FPS
medium206 FPS
high206 FPS
ultra206 FPS
4k
low206 FPS
medium206 FPS
high206 FPS
ultra204 FPS
Minecraft

Minecraft

1080p
low206 FPS
medium206 FPS
high206 FPS
ultra206 FPS
1440p
low206 FPS
medium206 FPS
high206 FPS
ultra164 FPS
4k
low206 FPS
medium206 FPS
high139 FPS
ultra90 FPS
Overwatch 2

Overwatch 2

1080p
low206 FPS
medium206 FPS
high206 FPS
ultra206 FPS
1440p
low206 FPS
medium206 FPS
high206 FPS
ultra185 FPS
4k
low159 FPS
medium137 FPS
high125 FPS
ultra106 FPS

Technical Analysis

Detailed breakdown of Xeon E3-1260L v5 specifications and capabilities.

Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1260L v5 is a 4-core / 8-thread processor based on the Skylake-DT (2015) architecture, manufactured on a 14 nm process node. It reaches a maximum boost clock of 3.9 GHz from a base frequency of 2.9 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 8,237, placing it in the Budget performance tier as a Legacy generation product.

SpecificationXeon E3-1260L v5
Cores / ThreadsPhysical/logical processing units4C / 8T
Max Boost ClockPeak single-core speed under boost3.9 GHz
Base ClockGuaranteed minimum operating frequency2.9 GHz
ArchitectureCPU microarchitecture designSkylake-DT (2015)
Process NodeFabrication technology — smaller = more efficient14 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 processor122 mm2
Transistor CountMore transistors = more capabilities1,750 million
Bus SpeedData bus frequency4 × 8 GT/s
64-bit SupportYes
Windows 11 CompatibleNo
PassMark ScoreOverall multi-threaded benchmark score8,237
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1260L v5 fits into the LGA1151 socket and supports PCIe 3.0. It supports DDR4-1866/2133, DDR3L-1333/1600 memory.

SpecificationXeon E3-1260L v5
TypeDesktop or Laptop processorserver
SeriesProduct familyIntel Xeon E3
SocketMotherboard socket requiredLGA1151
PCIe GenerationPeripheral interconnect speed — affects GPU and SSD bandwidthPCIe 3.0
RAM TypeSupported memory standardDDR4-1866/2133, DDR3L-1333/1600
Max CPUs in ConfigMulti-socket support for servers1 (Uniprocessor)
🌡️

Power & Cooling

The Xeon E3-1260L v5 has a rated TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 45 Watt — this indicates the amount of heat generated under sustained load and determines what cooling solution is needed.

SpecificationXeon E3-1260L v5
TDPThermal Design Power — heat output under sustained workload45 Watt
💰

Value Analysis

Performance ranking position: #1432 out of all indexed processors.

SpecificationXeon E3-1260L v5
Launch PriceOriginal retail price at launch$294
Performance RankPosition in overall performance ranking#1432
Release DateLaunch date19 October 2015 (10 years ago)
Release Year2015
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

8 specs

Typeserver
SeriesIntel Xeon E3
DesignerIntel
Launch Price$294
ManufacturerIntel
Release Date19 October 2015 (10 years ago)
Architecture CodenameSkylake-DT (2015)
Performance Ranking Position1432

Technical Specifications

15 specs

Cores4
Threads8
Bus TypeDMI 3.0
Die Size122 mm2
L1 Cache64 kB (per core)
L2 Cache256 kB (per core)
L3 Cache8 MB (total)
Bus Speed4 × 8 GT/s
Multiplier29
Max Frequency3.9 GHz
64-Bit Support+
Base Frequency2.9 GHz
Transistor Count1,750 million
Process Technology14 nm
Windows 11 Compatible-

Compatibility

4 specs

SocketLGA1151
PCIe GenerationPCIe 3.0
Power Consumption (TDP)45 Watt
Max Processors In Config1 (Uniprocessor)

Memory

5 specs

RAM TypesDDR4-1866/2133, DDR3L-1333/1600
Memory Channels2
Memory Bandwidth34.134 GB/s
ECC Memory Support+
Max Memory Capacity64 GB

Our Recommendation for Xeon E3-1260L v5

Suggested pairings based on performance balance

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