Intel Xeon E3-1268L v5

The Intel Xeon E3-1268L v5 is a 4-core, 8-thread Skylake-DT processor for Intel Socket 1151, released on 2015-10-18 and now end-of-life. It was launched with a 35 W TDP and a launch MSRP of $377. The chip belongs to Intel's Server/Workstation market segment, includes HD Graphics P530, and supports ECC memory. Built on Intel's 14 nm process with 1,750 million transistors and a 122 mm² die, it is positioned as a low-power Xeon rather than a high-core-count workstation part.

Benchmark Performance

The database places the E3-1268L v5 at the 40th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 1557. The nearest-rival table shows how tightly grouped this part is. The Intel Core i3-8300 posts an identical 1557 average score with a deltaPct of 0. The Intel Atom x7835RE posts 1558 with a deltaPct of -0.1. The AMD Opteron 6276 and the Intel Core i5-4690S each post 1560 with a deltaPct of -0.2. In other words, the Xeon sits in the middle of a cluster of very different designs that all end up at nearly the same average performance.

The Cinebench results reinforce that picture. In Cinebench R15, the processor scores 542 multi-core and 76 single-core. In Cinebench R20, it scores 2260 multi-core and 319 single-core. In Cinebench R23, it scores 5383 multi-core and 760 single-core. The multi-core figures are consistently far above the single-core figures, which is expected for a 4-core, 8-thread design. What matters is the absolute level: the 40th percentile standing means that roughly 60% of all CPUs in the database average higher overall. Still, the exact average-score tie with the Core i3-8300 at 1557 is a useful anchor. The E3-1268L v5 is a mainstream-tier performer, not a high-end workstation chip.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The E3-1268L v5's single-thread scores are modest. Its Cinebench R15 single-core score is 76, its R20 single-core score is 319, and its R23 single-core score is 760. The base clock of 2.40 GHz and boost clock of 3.40 GHz frame those results. This is a power-sensitive part, not a high-frequency desktop processor. The 3.40 GHz boost clock is the main per-thread asset, but it does not push the chip above the 40th percentile in the database.

Multithreaded behavior is stronger. The R15 multi-core score of 542, the R20 multi-core score of 2260, and the R23 multi-core score of 5383 all show measurable scaling when all eight threads are active. The cache hierarchy supports that scaling. Each core has 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2, with 8 MB of shared L3. The dual-channel memory controller and 34.1 GB/s of memory bandwidth provide the data path for threaded workloads. The split is clear: workloads that can use all eight threads get a meaningful performance lift, while lightly threaded tasks lean on the 3.40 GHz boost clock and are more likely to stay near the lower end of the score distribution.

Power and Thermals

The 35 W TDP is the defining power characteristic. This is a low-power envelope for a server/workstation processor, and it is achieved on Intel's 14 nm process with 1,750 million transistors on a 122 mm² die. The combination of four cores, eight threads, and integrated HD Graphics P530 within that TDP class means the thermal solution does not need to be aggressive. A basic air cooler is enough for a chip in this TDP class, and compact system layouts can handle it without special cooling provisions.

The 14 nm process and Intel foundry production are the physical basis of that efficiency. The die size of 122 mm² and transistor count of 1,750 million are modest by modern standards, but they are what allow a 4-core Xeon with an integrated GPU to remain in the 35 W category. End-of-life production status does not change the thermals, but it does mean that new-platform buyers will not find this processor in current roadmaps. For a system where low heat output matters more than peak throughput, the 35 W TDP is a clear positive.

Platform and Compatibility

The E3-1268L v5 uses Intel Socket 1151 and is based on the Skylake-DT architecture. It supports DDR3 and DDR4 memory on a dual-channel memory bus, with memory bandwidth rated at 34.1 GB/s. ECC memory support is present, which fits the chip's Server/Workstation market segment. The CPU provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes for expansion. Integrated graphics are handled by HD Graphics P530, which means the processor can drive a display without a discrete GPU.

The platform story is tied to the chip's age and status. The launch date is 2015-10-18, and the production status is end-of-life. The multiplier is locked, so there is no overclocking headroom. The part number SR2LQ identifies the chip in the database. For upgrade planning, the locked multiplier, end-of-life status, and Socket 1151 dependency mean the motherboard dictates any future CPU choices. The support for both DDR3 and DDR4 covers two memory generations, but the specific memory type available depends on the board. ECC memory support is an important differentiator for users who need memory integrity in a workstation or small server build, as is the combination of integrated graphics and 16 CPU PCIe lanes.

Who Should Consider It

The benchmark profile points to a specific set of users. Office and general productivity workloads that are lightly threaded can rely on the integrated HD Graphics P530 and the 40th percentile average score, while the 35 W TDP keeps cooling simple. For content creation, the multi-thread Cinebench scores of 2260 in R20 and 5383 in R23 offer usable throughput for threaded rendering. However, the R23 single-core score of 760 means single-thread-limited portions of a workload will not be as strong.

Gaming is the weakest recommendation. The chip's single-core scores and overall 40th percentile standing put it behind desktop CPUs that are better represented in the database, and the integrated GPU is not a gaming-class solution. The clearest use case is a Socket 1151 server or workstation build where ECC memory, low power, and a modest but useful 4-core, 8-thread CPU are the priorities. Its average benchmark score is exactly tied with the Intel Core i3-8300 at 1557 and within 0.2% of the AMD Opteron 6276 and Intel Core i5-4690S, so it should be judged as a balanced, efficiency-leaning Xeon rather than a high-end performer.

For buyers who already have a Socket 1151 platform and need ECC support, the E3-1268L v5 offers a low-power path to error-corrected memory and eight threads. For users building around the latest platform expectations, the end-of-life status and locked multiplier are limiting factors. The data shows a CPU that does one specific job well: it delivers an average benchmark score of 1557, 40th percentile standing, and 35 W operation with integrated graphics and ECC support. That combination is rare in the rival cluster, even though the raw scores are not exceptional. The Core i3-8300, Atom x7835RE, Opteron 6276, and Core i5-4690S all land within 0.2% in average score, but none of them pair that performance level with the same server-oriented feature set of ECC memory, low TDP, and Xeon branding.