Intel Xeon E3-1240L v5

The Intel Xeon E3-1240L v5 is a 4-core, 8-thread server/workstation processor built on the Skylake-DT architecture, launched on October 18, 2015, with a launch MSRP of $278. It runs at a 2.10 GHz base clock and a 3.20 GHz boost clock within a 25W TDP, fitting the Intel Socket 1151. The 14nm die contains 1,750 million transistors across 122 mm², with 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, plus 8 MB of shared L3 cache. Memory support spans DDR3 and DDR4 in dual-channel mode, delivering 34.1 GB/s of bandwidth, and ECC is enabled. The CPU provides Gen 3 PCIe with 16 lanes. Its average benchmark score is 1609, placing it in the 41st percentile among all CPUs. This profile sets the stage for a detailed look at its single-thread and multi-thread behavior, workload suitability, and standing against close rivals.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The benchmark results reveal a clear division between single-thread and multi-thread performance. In Cinebench R15, the CPU scores 78 points in single-core and 560 in multi-core. The R20 run shows 329 single-core and 2336 multi-core, while R23 delivers 785 single-core and 5564 multi-core. The ratio between multi-core and single-core scores is remarkably consistent across all three versions: roughly 7.1x in R15 (560/78), 7.1x in R20 (2336/329), and 7.1x in R23 (5564/785). This near-7x scaling indicates that the eight threads are being utilized effectively, with only a modest loss to synchronization or shared-resource contention. The base clock of 2.10 GHz is low, and the boost clock of 3.20 GHz is only 1.1 GHz higher, a typical range for a 25W part. For lightly threaded workloads—such as single-threaded legacy applications, some office macros, or older game engines that rely on one or two cores—the processor will depend on reaching the boost frequency, but sustained all-core operation will drop to lower clocks. The single-core scores themselves are modest; the R23 single-core result of 785 is far below what high-clocked desktop CPUs achieve, though the pack does not provide comparison numbers. The multi-thread scores, however, show that when all eight threads are busy, the chip can deliver a substantial throughput, making it better suited to parallel tasks than to latency-sensitive single-threaded ones. The 41st percentile overall indicates that the CPU sits below the median of all tested processors, but that ranking blends both single- and multi-thread performance; the multi-thread results are comparatively stronger than the single-thread ones.

Who Should Consider It

This Xeon is explicitly positioned for the server/workstation market segment, and its feature set reinforces that. The presence of ECC memory support, combined with a 25W TDP, makes it an attractive option for always-on systems, network-attached storage, or small-scale virtualization hosts where data integrity and low power draw are priorities. The dual-channel DDR3/DDR4 memory controller with 34.1 GB/s bandwidth is sufficient for moderate server workloads, though not for memory-intensive high-performance computing. For office productivity, the 4-core/8-thread layout can handle typical multitasking—spreadsheets, email, browser tabs—without strain, but the low base clock may cause noticeable delays in single-threaded applications that cannot fully exploit the boost. Gaming is not a primary use case; the single-thread scores suggest that games relying on a few fast cores will be limited, and the lack of integrated graphics means a discrete GPU is mandatory. Content creation, on the other hand, benefits from the multi-thread capability: the R23 multi-core score of 5564 demonstrates that rendering or video encoding tasks that scale across threads will see reasonable throughput, though not at the level of higher-core-count or higher-clocked parts. The 41st percentile overall implies that this is not a top-tier performer, so users with demanding single-thread needs should look elsewhere. The end-of-life production status also means that buyers should consider availability and long-term support. In summary, the E3-1240L v5 is best suited for low-power, ECC-capable server or workstation roles that rely on parallel workloads, rather than for high-frequency single-threaded applications.

Benchmark Performance

The Cinebench scores provide a consistent picture of the CPU’s capabilities across three generations of the test. In R15, the multi-core score of 560 is a modest figure for a 4-core/8-thread part, reflecting the low base clock and 25W power limit. The single-core score of 78 is correspondingly low. Moving to R20, the multi-core score jumps to 2336, and the single-core to 329. The R23 results are the most recent: 5564 multi-core and 785 single-core. These scores are not directly comparable across versions due to different workload scales, but the relative positioning within each version is clear. The average benchmark score across all tests is 1609, which is the figure used for comparison with nearest rivals. This average places the Xeon at the 41st percentile of all CPUs, meaning 59% of tested processors score higher. The delta against its closest rivals is extremely tight: the Intel Core i3-9100E has an average score of 1607, a 0.1% advantage for the Xeon; the Core i5-7600 scores 1612, a 0.2% deficit; the Core i7-970 scores 1605, a 0.2% lead; and the Core i3-8300T scores 1604, a 0.3% lead. These differences are within noise—less than a third of a percent—so the Xeon is effectively performance-equivalent to all four rivals in average benchmark terms. The single-thread and multi-thread splits are not available for those rivals, so the comparison is based solely on the aggregate score. The fact that the Xeon holds its own against desktop-oriented chips despite its lower TDP and server-focused design is notable, though it also means that any of these processors would deliver similar overall throughput.

How It Compares

Intel Core i3-9100E – This rival has an average score of 1607, which is 0.1% lower than the Xeon’s 1609. The Xeon is effectively tied with the i3-9100E in aggregate performance. Both are 4-core parts, but the i3 lacks ECC and has a higher TDP (though that number is not in the pack). The Xeon’s advantage is its ECC support and lower power envelope, which may be more important in server environments than the marginal score difference.

Intel Core i5-7600 – The i5-7600 scores 1612, giving it a 0.2% edge over the Xeon. This is a negligible difference in real-world terms. The i5 is a desktop part with a higher base clock (not specified), but the Xeon compensates with hyper-threading, yielding 8 threads versus the i5’s 4. The Xeon’s ECC support and lower TDP still make it a more appropriate choice for server roles, while the i5 might be preferable for pure desktop use where single-thread performance matters more.

Intel Core i7-970 – The i7-970 averages 1605, which is 0.2% lower than the Xeon. This is an older six-core, twelve-thread part (based on its name, though not in the pack), but its aggregate score is slightly behind. The Xeon’s 4-core/8-thread design achieves a similar overall result with a much lower TDP. This comparison highlights the efficiency of the Skylake architecture, even at a lower core count.

Intel Core i3-8300T – The i3-8300T scores 1604, a 0.3% deficit relative to the Xeon. This is a low-power desktop chip, and the Xeon edges it out in average performance. The Xeon again brings ECC and a server-oriented feature set, while the i3-8300T is aimed at compact desktops. The score difference is trivial, so the choice between them would hinge on platform features rather than raw speed.

FAQ

Q: What is the TDP of the Intel Xeon E3-1240L v5?

A: The TDP is 25 watts.

Q: Does the CPU support ECC memory?

A: Yes, ECC memory is supported.

Q: What is the base clock and boost clock?

A: The base clock is 2.10 GHz, and the boost clock is 3.20 GHz.

Q: What is the size of the L3 cache?

A: The L3 cache is 8 MB, shared across all cores.

Q: How many PCIe lanes does it provide?

A: It provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only).

Q: What is the average benchmark score and percentile ranking?

A: The average benchmark score is 1609, placing it in the 41st percentile among all CPUs.