Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 vs Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3 Comparison

The Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 and the Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3 are both four-core server processors aimed at compact workstations and entry-level servers, yet they represent two very different design philosophies. The E3-1220 v5 is a Skylake-era chip built for standard power envelopes, while the E3-1240L v3 is a Haswell-era part optimized for minimal energy draw. Benchmark data reveals a remarkably close performance contest, but the underlying architecture and platform differences tell a more complex story. The two processors are separated by less than half a percent in average benchmark score, making the choice between them a matter of platform fit and thermal priorities rather than raw compute capability.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are unusually tight across every single test, with the Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 claiming victory in all six benchmark comparisons. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the E3-1220 v5 scores 488 against the E3-1240L v3’s 486, a margin of just 0.4%. The single-core R15 test shows a perfect tie at 68 points for both processors, which is notable given that the two chips have different clock speeds. Moving to Cinebench R20, the E3-1220 v5 leads again with 2034 versus 2027 in multicore (a 0.3% delta) and 287 versus 286 in single-core (also 0.3%). The newest benchmark generation, Cinebench R23, shows the same pattern: the E3-1220 v5 posts 4845 in multicore versus 4827 for the E3-1240L v3, and 684 versus 681 in single-core, both representing a 0.4% advantage.

What these numbers reveal is that the E3-1220 v5’s higher boost clock of 3.50 GHz gives it a marginal edge over the E3-1240L v3’s 3.00 GHz boost, despite the latter having twice as many threads. The E3-1240L v3’s hyper-threading capability (4 cores, 8 threads) should theoretically help in heavily threaded workloads, but the benchmark data shows it cannot overcome the clock speed deficit. The average benchmark scores tell a similar story: the E3-1220 v5 averages 1401 points, while the E3-1240L v3 averages 1396, a spread of only 0.4%. Both processors sit at the 37th percentile among all CPUs, and their nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E-2104G, Intel Core i5-6500TE, and Intel Pentium Gold G7400TE, all within a 0.6% range of each other. This cluster of results suggests that for most real-world tasks, users would be hard-pressed to notice any performance difference between these two Xeons.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is substantial, starting with the manufacturing process. The E3-1220 v5 is built on Intel’s 14 nm node, while the E3-1240L v3 uses the older 22 nm process. This is reflected in the transistor counts: the E3-1220 v5 packs 1,750 million transistors into a 122 mm² die, whereas the E3-1240L v3 has 1,400 million transistors spread across a larger 160 mm² die. The newer process node is one reason the E3-1220 v5 achieves higher clock speeds (3.00 GHz base, 3.50 GHz boost) despite having a much higher thermal design power of 80 watts. The E3-1240L v3, by contrast, runs at a 2.00 GHz base clock and 3.00 GHz boost, with a remarkably low 25-watt TDP.

Core and thread counts also differ: the E3-1220 v5 offers 4 cores and 4 threads, while the E3-1240L v3 provides 4 cores and 8 threads thanks to Intel Hyper-Threading. Cache configurations are identical in capacity, with 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. Socket compatibility diverges completely: the E3-1220 v5 uses Intel Socket 1151, while the E3-1240L v3 requires Intel Socket 1150. Memory support varies as well, with the E3-1220 v5 supporting both DDR3 and DDR4 in a dual-channel configuration (34.1 GB/s bandwidth), whereas the E3-1240L v3 is limited to DDR3 (25.6 GB/s bandwidth). Both processors support ECC memory, and both offer PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The naming conventions hint at the positioning: the E3-1220 v5 belongs to the Skylake-DT generation, while the E3-1240L v3 is from the Haswell-WS family. The “L” in the E3-1240L v3’s name signals its low-power orientation, which is confirmed by its 25-watt TDP versus the E3-1220 v5’s 80-watt figure. Release dates also differ, with the E3-1220 v5 arriving on 2015-10-18 and the E3-1240L v3 on 2014-05-10, making the latter the older design by roughly a year and a half.

Where Each One Wins

Based purely on benchmark outcomes, the Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 wins every single comparison, but the margins are so small that they translate into no practical advantage for most workloads. The largest delta is 0.4% in Cinebench R15 multicore and R23 single-core and multicore, which is within run-to-run variance for most benchmark suites. The E3-1220 v5’s higher boost clock gives it a slight edge in single-threaded tasks, as seen in the R20 single-core score of 287 versus 286, but the difference is negligible. For users prioritizing raw clock speed and the newer Skylake architecture, the E3-1220 v5 is the clear pick, especially if they need DDR4 memory support and the higher 34.1 GB/s memory bandwidth.

The E3-1240L v3, despite losing all head-to-head matchups, has its own distinct strengths that do not show up in Cinebench scores. Its 25-watt TDP makes it dramatically more efficient than the E3-1220 v5’s 80-watt draw, which is critical for always-on servers, silent builds, or systems with minimal cooling. The 8 threads give it theoretical headroom for multitasking, though the benchmark data shows this does not translate into a win. For users with existing Socket 1150 motherboards and DDR3 memory, the E3-1240L v3 is the natural upgrade path, avoiding the platform costs associated with Socket 1151 and DDR4. In contrast, the E3-1220 v5 is the better choice for new builds where the newer platform and memory standard are preferred, even if the performance difference is imperceptible.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core performance?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 wins all three single-core tests, but by tiny margins. In Cinebench R15, both score 68. In R20, the E3-1220 v5 scores 287 versus 286 for the E3-1240L v3. In R23, the gap is 684 versus 681.

Q: Does the E3-1240L v3’s hyper-threading give it an advantage in multicore workloads?

A: No. Despite having 4 cores and 8 threads versus the E3-1220 v5’s 4 cores and 4 threads, the E3-1240L v3 loses every multicore test. The E3-1220 v5 leads by 0.4% in R15 (488 versus 486), 0.3% in R20 (2034 versus 2027), and 0.4% in R23 (4845 versus 4827).

Q: What is the power consumption difference between these two chips?

A: The E3-1220 v5 has a thermal design power of 80 watts, while the E3-1240L v3 is rated at just 25 watts. This makes the E3-1240L v3 significantly more power-efficient, though the benchmark scores are nearly identical.

Q: Can I use the same motherboard for both processors?

A: No. The E3-1220 v5 uses Intel Socket 1151, while the E3-1240L v3 uses Intel Socket 1150. They are not interchangeable, and they also differ in memory support, with the E3-1220 v5 supporting both DDR3 and DDR4, while the E3-1240L v3 only supports DDR3.

Q: How do these CPUs compare to their nearest rivals?

A: Both sit at the 37th percentile among all CPUs. The E3-1220 v5 has an average score of 1401, with the Intel Xeon E-2104G at 1402 (0% delta), Intel Core i5-6500TE at 1399 (0.1% delta), and Intel Pentium Gold G7400TE at 1404 (-0.2% delta). The E3-1240L v3 averages 1396, with the Core i5-6500TE at 1399 (-0.2% delta) and the Pentium Gold G7400TE at 1404 (-0.6% delta).

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. Both are listed as end-of-life. The E3-1220 v5 was released on 2015-10-18 with a launch MSRP of $203, while the E3-1240L v3 was released on 2014-05-10 with a launch MSRP of $278.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 | Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3 |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 4 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 2.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.50 GHz | 3.00 GHz |

| TDP | 80 W | 25 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | Intel Socket 1150 |

| Architecture | Skylake | Haswell |

| Codename | Skylake-DT | Haswell-WS |

| Generation | Xeon E3 (Skylake-DT) | Xeon E3 (Haswell-WS) |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 22 nm |

| Transistors | 1,750 million | 1,400 million |

| Die Size | 122 mm² | 160 mm² |

| Memory Support | DDR3, DDR4 | DDR3 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 34.1 GB/s | 25.6 GB/s |

| Release Date | 2015-10-18 | 2014-05-10 |

| Launch MSRP | $203 | $278 |

| Part Number | SR2LG | SR1T8 |

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 outperforms the Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3 in every measured test, but the margins are so slim that performance alone should not drive the decision. The E3-1220 v5’s 3.50 GHz boost clock and newer 14 nm Skylake architecture give it a consistent edge, and its support for DDR4 memory and higher 34.1 GB/s bandwidth make it the more future-proof option. Users building a new system on Socket 1151 should choose the E3-1220 v5 without hesitation, as it offers the same or better performance with a more modern platform.

However, the E3-1240L v3 is the winner in one critical metric: power consumption. Its 25-watt TDP is one-third of the E3-1220 v5’s 80-watt figure, making it ideal for silent, low-heat, or energy-conscious deployments. For users with an existing Socket 1150 motherboard and DDR3 memory, the E3-1240L v3 provides a drop-in upgrade that delivers nearly identical performance (within 0.4%) while drawing dramatically less power. The 8 threads offer theoretical multitasking benefits, even if the Cinebench scores do not reflect a tangible win. The verdict comes down to platform strategy: choose the E3-1220 v5 for new builds with modern memory, or the E3-1240L v3 for maximum efficiency and legacy platform compatibility. Both processors occupy the same performance tier, and the data shows that the E3-1240L v3’s efficiency advantage does not cost it any meaningful compute capability.