Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3 vs Intel Xeon E5-1410 v2 Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents an unusually close contest between these two server Xeons. Across every recorded Cinebench test, the Intel Xeon E5-1410 v2 edges out the Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3, but the margins are slim, ranging from 0.7% to 1.5%. The database places both processors at the 36th percentile among all CPUs, with average benchmark scores of 1368 for the E5-1410 v2 and 1357 for the E3-1226 v3, a difference of less than 1%. For workloads that rely on single-threaded performance, the E5-1410 v2 shows its largest advantage, a 1.5% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core. However, the E3-1226 v3 counters with a higher base clock of 3.30 GHz versus 2.80 GHz, a boost clock of 3.70 GHz versus 3.20 GHz, and an integrated graphics solution, making it the more self-contained option for systems that cannot accommodate a discrete GPU. The E5-1410 v2, meanwhile, offers double the threads (8 versus 4) and a larger shared L3 cache (10 MB versus 8 MB), which explains its consistent, if narrow, multi-threaded victories. Buyers should pick the E5-1410 v2 when the workload is heavily threaded and the platform can support the Socket 1356 layout, while the E3-1226 v3 suits those who need higher clocks out of the box, integrated graphics, and a lower transistor count for simpler cooling requirements.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel microarchitectures and serve different platform ecosystems. The E5-1410 v2 is built on Ivy Bridge, specifically the Ivy Bridge-EN codename, while the E3-1226 v3 uses Haswell, under the Haswell-WS codename. Both use Intel's 22 nm process node and are fabricated in-house, but the similarities stop there. The E5-1410 v2 packs 1,860 million transistors on a die size of 257 mm², whereas the E3-1226 v3 contains 1,400 million transistors on a 160 mm² die. This means the E5-1410 v2 has a substantially larger and more complex chip, reflecting its server-oriented design with a triple-channel memory bus and 24 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. The E3-1226 v3, in contrast, uses a dual-channel memory bus and offers 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, positioning it as a lighter, more streamlined workstation part.

Memory bandwidth figures reflect this architectural gap: the E5-1410 v2 achieves 32.0 GB/s with triple-channel DDR3, while the E3-1226 v3 reaches 25.6 GB/s over dual-channel DDR3. Both support ECC memory, which is critical for server reliability. Cache hierarchies also diverge, with the E5-1410 v2 offering 10 MB of shared L3 cache versus 8 MB on the E3-1226 v3, while L1 and L2 caches are identical at 64 KB and 256 KB per core, respectively. The E3-1226 v3 includes an integrated Intel HD P4600 GPU, a feature entirely absent on the E5-1410 v2. Socket compatibility differs as well: the E5-1410 v2 requires Intel Socket 1356, while the E3-1226 v3 fits Intel Socket 1150. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is off the table for both.

Release timing is close, with the E5-1410 v2 launching on January 8, 2014, and the E3-1226 v3 following on May 10, 2014. Both are officially end-of-life products. The E3-1226 v3 carries a launch MSRP of $213, a figure recorded once here; no comparable launch price exists for the E5-1410 v2 in the database. The part numbers distinguish them clearly: SR1B0 for the E5-1410 v2 and SR1R0 for the E3-1226 v3.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results tell a story of near-total parity with a slight tilt toward the E5-1410 v2. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the E5-1410 v2 scores 476 against 472 for the E3-1226 v3, a 0.8% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows the E5-1410 v2 at 67 versus 66, its largest margin of victory at 1.5%. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core gap widens slightly to 0.9%, with scores of 1987 and 1970, while the single-core test shows 280 versus 278, a 0.7% edge. Cinebench R23 repeats the pattern: the E5-1410 v2 wins multi-core 4732 to 4692 (0.9%) and single-core 668 to 662 (0.9%). Across all six recorded benchmarks, the E5-1410 v2 takes every win, yet the average score difference between the two parts is only 11 points out of roughly 1360, underscoring how close these chips are in real-world rendering workloads.

The implications are subtle but real. The E5-1410 v2's extra threads (8 versus 4) do not translate into a large multi-threaded lead, partly because its lower base clock of 2.80 GHz offsets the parallel advantage. The E3-1226 v3's higher clocks, 3.30 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost, keep it competitive despite having half the threads. The single-core R15 result, where the E5-1410 v2 wins by 1.5%, is curious given the E3-1226 v3's higher clock speeds; this suggests the Ivy Bridge architecture and its larger L3 cache may compensate for the clock deficit in lightly threaded tasks. In contrast, the R20 and R23 single-core tests show the E5-1410 v2 ahead by only 0.7% and 0.9%, indicating that newer Cinebench versions narrow the gap.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1410 v2 has 8 threads, while the Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3 has 4 threads. Both have 4 physical cores.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the E5-1410 v2 and the E3-1226 v3 support ECC memory.

Q: Which CPU has integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3 includes integrated graphics, specifically the Intel HD P4600. The E5-1410 v2 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The E5-1410 v2 offers 32.0 GB/s over a triple-channel DDR3 bus, while the E3-1226 v3 provides 25.6 GB/s over a dual-channel DDR3 bus.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The E5-1410 v2 has an average benchmark score of 1368, and the E3-1226 v3 scores 1357. Both sit at the 36th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: Which CPU has a larger L3 cache?

A: The E5-1410 v2 has 10 MB of shared L3 cache, whereas the E3-1226 v3 has 8 MB.

Where Each One Wins

The E5-1410 v2 is the winner in every recorded benchmark, but the margins dictate where each chip makes sense. Its 8 threads and 10 MB L3 cache give it an edge in multi-threaded rendering, as seen in Cinebench R23 multi-core where it leads by 40 points. The triple-channel memory bus, delivering 32.0 GB/s, also favors memory-intensive server workloads that benefit from higher bandwidth. The 24 PCIe Gen 3 lanes provide more expansion headroom for storage controllers, network cards, or multiple GPUs, making this the better choice for a dense virtualization host or a workstation with heavy I/O demands. However, the E5-1410 v2 requires a Socket 1356 motherboard, which is a less common platform than Socket 1150, and it lacks any integrated graphics, so a discrete GPU is mandatory.

The E3-1226 v3 wins on clock speed, with a 3.30 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost, and it includes the Intel HD P4600 integrated GPU, which eliminates the need for a separate graphics card in basic server tasks. Its 84 W TDP is only slightly higher than the E5-1410 v2's 80 W, but the smaller die size of 160 mm² and lower transistor count of 1,400 million suggest simpler thermal behavior in compact chassis. The dual-channel memory bus and 25.6 GB/s bandwidth are adequate for typical single-socket workstation duties, and the Socket 1150 platform offers broader motherboard availability. For users who prioritize out-of-the-box simplicity, integrated graphics, and higher clock speeds for lightly threaded applications, the E3-1226 v3 is the pragmatic pick, even though it trails in raw benchmark scores.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several key specifications. The E5-1410 v2 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the E3-1226 v3 has 4 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are 2.80 GHz for the E5-1410 v2 and 3.30 GHz for the E3-1226 v3, with boost clocks of 3.20 GHz and 3.70 GHz, respectively. TDP values are close, 80 W for the E5-1410 v2 and 84 W for the E3-1226 v3. Sockets differ: Intel Socket 1356 for the E5-1410 v2 and Intel Socket 1150 for the E3-1226 v3. The architecture is Ivy Bridge (Ivy Bridge-EN) for the E5-1410 v2 and Haswell (Haswell-WS) for the E3-1226 v3. Transistor counts are 1,860 million versus 1,400 million, and die sizes are 257 mm² versus 160 mm². L3 cache is 10 MB shared on the E5-1410 v2 and 8 MB shared on the E3-1226 v3. Memory buses are triple-channel for the E5-1410 v2 and dual-channel for the E3-1226 v3, with memory bandwidth of 32.0 GB/s and 25.6 GB/s. PCIe lanes are 24 for the E5-1410 v2 and 16 for the E3-1226 v3. The E3-1226 v3 includes the Intel HD P4600 integrated GPU; the E5-1410 v2 has none. Release dates are January 8, 2014, for the E5-1410 v2 and May 10, 2014, for the E3-1226 v3. The E3-1226 v3 has a launch MSRP of $213, while the E5-1410 v2 has no recorded launch MSRP. Part numbers are SR1B0 for the E5-1410 v2 and SR1R0 for the E3-1226 v3. Both are end-of-life, unlocked multipliers are false for both, and both support ECC memory and DDR3.