Intel Xeon E3-1285 v6 vs Intel Xeon E5-2630L v3 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2630L v3 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Xeon E3-1285 v6 has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What are the base and boost clock speeds of each chip?

A: The Xeon E5-2630L v3 runs at a base clock of 1800.00 MHz and a boost clock of 2.90 GHz. The Xeon E3-1285 v6 runs at a base clock of 4.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz.

Q: Which processor has the higher TDP?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1285 v6 has a TDP of 79 W, compared to 55 W for the Intel Xeon E5-2630L v3.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon E5-2630L v3 and the Intel Xeon E3-1285 v6 support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1285 v6 includes HD Graphics P630, while the Intel Xeon E5-2630L v3 has no integrated graphics listed.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each chip?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2630L v3 has an average benchmark score of 2409, and the Intel Xeon E3-1285 v6 has an average benchmark score of 2348.

Where Each One Wins

The recorded data shows a clean sweep. Across all six Cinebench tests, the Intel Xeon E5-2630L v3 wins every single head-to-head matchup. The closest contest is in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the E5-2630L v3 leads by 2.5%. Every other test shows a 2.6% advantage for the E5-2630L v3.

The Xeon E3-1285 v6 does not win any benchmark in the head-to-head comparison. Its strengths lie elsewhere: it has a much higher base clock (4.10 GHz versus 1800.00 MHz) and a higher boost clock (4.50 GHz versus 2.90 GHz). It also uses a newer 14 nm process node compared to the 22 nm node of the older chip. The E3-1285 v6 integrates HD Graphics P630, which the E5-2630L v3 lacks entirely.

Neither processor holds a percentile advantage over the other. Both sit at the 48th percentile among all CPUs in the database. The average benchmark scores are close: 2409 for the E5-2630L v3 versus 2348 for the E3-1285 v6. The E5-2630L v3 has a slightly higher average score, roughly 61 points higher, which places it marginally ahead in overall aggregate performance.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and target different platform segments. The Intel Xeon E5-2630L v3 uses the Haswell-EP architecture on a 22 nm process node, with 2,600 million transistors on a 356 mm² die. It is built for the Intel Socket 2011-3 platform, which supports quad-channel DDR4 memory and provides 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU alone.

The Intel Xeon E3-1285 v6 uses the Kaby Lake-DT architecture on a 14 nm process node, with 1,400 million transistors on a 160 mm² die. It fits the Intel Socket 1151 platform, which uses dual-channel DDR4 memory and provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU alone. The E3-1285 v6 also includes integrated HD Graphics P630, whereas the E5-2630L v3 has no integrated graphics capability.

The cache layouts differ substantially. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The shared L3 cache, however, is much larger on the E5-2630L v3: 20 MB shared versus 8 MB shared on the E3-1285 v6. This difference reflects the server-oriented design of the Haswell-EP chip, which is built to handle more concurrent threads and larger working sets.

Specification Differences

The processors differ across nearly every major specification field. The E5-2630L v3 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the E3-1285 v6 has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are sharply different: 1800.00 MHz for the E5-2630L v3 versus 4.10 GHz for the E3-1285 v6. Boost clocks follow the same pattern: 2.90 GHz versus 4.50 GHz.

TDP differs as well, with the E5-2630L v3 rated at 55 W and the E3-1285 v6 rated at 79 W. The sockets are not interchangeable: Socket 2011-3 for the older chip, Socket 1151 for the newer one. Memory bus width differs: quad-channel for the E5-2630L v3, dual-channel for the E3-1285 v6. The E5-2630L v3 lists a memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s, while the E3-1285 v6 has no listed memory bandwidth figure.

PCIe lane counts also differ: 40 lanes for the E5-2630L v3 versus 16 lanes for the E3-1285 v6. The E3-1285 v6 includes integrated graphics, the E5-2630L v3 does not. Release dates are separated by roughly three years: September 2014 for the E5-2630L v3, July 2017 for the E3-1285 v6. The E5-2630L v3 has a launch MSRP of $612, while the E3-1285 v6 has no recorded launch MSRP. Both processors have locked multipliers and support ECC memory.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are remarkably consistent. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the E5-2630L v3 scores 839 against 818 for the E3-1285 v6, a 2.6% advantage. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the same pattern appears: 118 versus 115, again a 2.6% lead for the E5-2630L v3.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the E5-2630L v3 posts 3498 in multicore against 3409 for the E3-1285 v6, a 2.6% difference. In single-core, the scores are 493 and 481, representing a 2.5% lead for the E5-2630L v3. The Cinebench R23 results continue the trend: 8330 versus 8119 in multicore, a 2.6% gap, and 1176 versus 1146 in single-core, also a 2.6% gap.

The consistency of these deltas is striking. Every test lands within a narrow band of 2.5% to 2.6%. The E5-2630L v3 wins all six head-to-head matchups. The advantage appears to come from the doubled core and thread count, which compensates for the much lower clock speeds. The E3-1285 v6 has roughly 2.3 times the base clock speed and about 1.6 times the boost clock speed, yet it still trails in every workload.

The average benchmark scores reflect this overall picture. The E5-2630L v3 averages 2409 points, while the E3-1285 v6 averages 2348 points. Both processors sit at the 48th percentile among all CPUs, meaning they are closely matched in the broader market context. The nearest rivals for the E5-2630L v3 include the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U at 2413 points (0.1% ahead) and the Intel Core i5-1038NG7 at 2398 points (0.5% behind). The nearest rivals for the E3-1285 v6 include the Intel Core i5-9600 at 2354 points (0.3% behind) and the AMD Ryzen 5 2500X at 2361 points (0.5% behind).

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward conclusion. The Intel Xeon E5-2630L v3 is the faster processor in every recorded benchmark. It wins all six head-to-head tests with a consistent 2.5% to 2.6% margin. Its 8-core, 16-thread configuration with 20 MB of L3 cache gives it a decisive advantage in threaded workloads, even though it operates at much lower clock speeds.

The Intel Xeon E3-1285 v6 is not without merit. Its 4.10 GHz base clock and 4.50 GHz boost clock are dramatically higher than the E5-2630L v3's figures. It uses a newer 14 nm process, integrates HD Graphics P630, and fits a more common Socket 1151 platform. Its lower core count, smaller cache, and narrower dual-channel memory bus hold it back in the benchmarks, however.

Who should pick which? The E5-2630L v3 suits environments where multi-threaded performance and large shared cache matter most, such as server workloads or heavily parallel compute tasks. The quad-channel memory bus and 40 PCIe lanes also make it the stronger choice for memory-intensive or I/O-heavy systems. The E3-1285 v6, with its high clocks and integrated graphics, fits simpler single-socket builds where higher per-core frequency and a compact platform are priorities.

Both processors land at the same 48th percentile of all CPUs, which indicates that neither holds a dramatic overall advantage. The recorded benchmark data, however, is unambiguous: for pure compute performance, the E5-2630L v3 wins every time. The E3-1285 v6 offers platform flexibility and higher clocks, but it trails in every measured workload. For users who prioritize the benchmark results, the E5-2630L v3 is the pick. For those who value integrated graphics, a newer process node, and a mainstream socket, the E3-1285 v6 provides those features even if it loses the performance comparison.