Intel Xeon E3-1245 v5 vs Intel Xeon E3-1285L v4 Comparison

The Intel Xeon E3-1285L v4 and the Intel Xeon E3-1245 v5 are both 4-core, 8-thread server processors, yet they represent two distinct generations of Intel silicon. The data shows the older Broadwell-based E3-1285L v4 wins every single Cinebench benchmark in the database, though by a narrow margin. The newer Skylake-based E3-1245 v5 counters with a higher boost clock, a larger L3 cache, faster memory bandwidth, and support for DDR4. The choice between them hinges on platform needs and the importance of the iGPU, not on raw multi-core throughput, where the two are effectively tied.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E3-1285L v4 is the winner in every recorded benchmark test, taking all six head-to-head Cinebench comparisons. Its victories are consistent but small: it leads by 0.9% in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 1% in R15 single-core, 0.9% in R20 multi-core, 0.7% in R20 single-core, 0.9% in R23 multi-core, and 0.8% in R23 single-core. This pattern indicates a slight overall performance edge across both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads, making it the better choice if every last point of Cinebench score matters.

The Intel Xeon E3-1245 v5 wins in platform flexibility. It supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the E3-1285L v4 is limited to DDR3. The E3-1245 v5 also has a higher memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s compared to 29.9 GB/s for the E3-1285L v4. For a system builder choosing a new platform, the E3-1245 v5 offers a more modern memory path, even though its benchmark scores are marginally lower. The E3-1285L v4 counters with a lower 65 W TDP versus 80 W, making it the more power-efficient option in the database.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations. The E3-1285L v4 is based on the Broadwell architecture with the codename Broadwell-DT, while the E3-1245 v5 uses the Skylake architecture with the codename Skylake-DT. Both are built on the same 14 nm process node, but the transistor counts differ: the E3-1285L v4 has 1,400 million transistors on a 160 mm² die, while the E3-1245 v5 packs 1,750 million transistors into a smaller 122 mm² die. This means the Skylake part is denser, fitting more transistors into less space.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The E3-1285L v4 has a shared 6 MB L3 cache, while the E3-1245 v5 has a larger 8 MB shared L3 cache. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The larger L3 on the E3-1245 v5 should help with data-heavy workloads, though the benchmark results do not reflect a decisive advantage in the tested Cinebench suite.

The integrated graphics also differ. The E3-1285L v4 features Intel Iris Pro P6300, a higher-end iGPU, while the E3-1245 v5 has the more basic HD Graphics P530. The E3-1285L v4 uses the Intel Socket 1150, whereas the E3-1245 v5 uses the newer Intel Socket 1151. Memory support is another split: the E3-1285L v4 only supports DDR3, while the E3-1245 v5 supports both DDR3 and DDR4. PCIe is Gen 3 for both, though the E3-1245 v5 specifies 16 lanes for the CPU only.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results show a remarkably consistent pattern. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the E3-1285L v4 scores 693 against 687 for the E3-1245 v5, a 0.9% lead. In R15 single-core, the margin is 97 versus 96, a 1% difference. Moving to Cinebench R20, the E3-1285L v4 scores 2891 in multi-core versus 2865, again a 0.9% lead, and 407 versus 404 in single-core, a 0.7% edge. The R23 tests continue the trend: 6884 versus 6822 in multi-core (0.9% ahead) and 971 versus 963 in single-core (0.8% ahead).

These deltas are small enough that in practical terms the two CPUs are near-identical in Cinebench performance. The E3-1285L v4 wins every test, but no single result shows a dominant gap. The largest single-core margin is 1%, and the largest multi-core margin is 0.9%. The average benchmark score reflects this closeness: the E3-1285L v4 scores 1991, while the E3-1245 v5 scores 1973. Both sit at the 44th percentile among all CPUs in the database, placing them in the same performance tier.

Context from nearest rivals reinforces this. The E3-1285L v4 is within 0.2% of the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X (score 1992) and the Intel Core i7-7920HQ (score 1992), and it is 0.1% ahead of the Intel Xeon E3-1585L v5 (score 1989). The E3-1245 v5 sits near the Intel Core i5-7600K (score 1976, a 0.2% gap) and the Intel Core i3-N305 (score 1979, a 0.3% gap). Both parts are competitive with mainstream quad-core designs from their respective eras.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1245 v5 has a boost clock of 3.90 GHz, while the Intel Xeon E3-1285L v4 boosts to 3.80 GHz.

Q: Do both CPUs support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon E3-1285L v4 and the Intel Xeon E3-1245 v5 support ECC memory.

Q: What is the difference in L3 cache size?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1245 v5 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Xeon E3-1285L v4 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1245 v5 supports both DDR3 and DDR4, while the Intel Xeon E3-1285L v4 only supports DDR3.

Q: Which CPU has the lower power draw?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1285L v4 has a TDP of 65 W, which is lower than the 80 W TDP of the Intel Xeon E3-1245 v5.

Q: How do the integrated graphics compare?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1285L v4 features Intel Iris Pro P6300, while the Intel Xeon E3-1245 v5 has HD Graphics P530.

The Verdict

The benchmark data gives a clear but narrow verdict. The Intel Xeon E3-1285L v4 wins every single Cinebench test in the database, from R15 to R23, in both single-core and multi-core modes. If the requirement is maximum Cinebench score, the E3-1285L v4 is the pick, and it does so while consuming 65 W against 80 W for the E3-1245 v5. Its integrated Iris Pro P6300 graphics are also a step above the HD Graphics P530 in the E3-1245 v5.

The Intel Xeon E3-1245 v5 is the better choice for a new build or a platform that needs modern memory. It supports DDR4, which the E3-1285L v4 cannot use, and it has a higher memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. Its larger 8 MB L3 cache and higher boost clock of 3.90 GHz are also advantages on paper. The performance gap in the database is so small, under 1% in every test, that these platform benefits can outweigh the benchmark deficit for many users.

For a drop-in upgrade on an existing Socket 1150 board, the E3-1285L v4 is the logical option. For a new system on Socket 1151 with DDR4, the E3-1245 v5 offers a more future-proof foundation. The data does not show a performance-based reason to pick the E3-1245 v5, but the memory and platform support are decisive for certain builds.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E3-1285L v4 | Intel Xeon E3-1245 v5 |

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

| Base Clock | 3.40 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.80 GHz | 3.90 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 80 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Broadwell | Skylake |

| Codename | Broadwell-DT | Skylake-DT |

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

| Die Size | 160 mm² | 122 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR3, DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 29.9 GB/s | 34.1 GB/s |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel Iris Pro P6300 | HD Graphics P530 |

| Part Number | SR2B1 | SR2LL |

| Launch MSRP | $445 | $294 |