Xeon E3-1290

Details and Benchmarks for Intel Xeon E3-1290

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Benchmark Results

Combined benchmark scores based on multiple data points, giving a quick overview of this processor's performance.

Overall Score

Overall score for Xeon E3-1290 based on all benchmark results gathered. Look at this like a meta score, you will find more specific workload ratings below.

4,750 Rank: 1064
Rank Name Score Visual
1060 Celeron G3920 4,756
+0.1%
1061 Core i7-2600S 4,756
+0.1%
1062 Core i5-3360M 4,756
+0.1%
1063 Pentium Gold G6405 4,756
+0.1%
1064 Xeon E3-1290 4,750
1065 A10-7890K 4,749
+-0%
1066 Pentium Gold 4415U 4,748
+-0%
1067 Core i3-7130U 4,747
-0.1%
1068 Core i7-2920XM 4,747
-0.1%
1069 Xeon E5-2637 v2 4,747
-0.1%

View full ranking →

Multicore Score

Multicore performance score for Xeon E3-1290 based on multi-threaded benchmark results.

4,673 Rank: 1000
Rank Name Score Visual
996 Ryzen 3 2300U 4,676
+0.1%
997 Pentium Gold G5600 4,673
+0%
998 Core i7-2860QM 4,673
+0%
999 FX-6300 4,673
+0%
1000 Xeon E3-1290 4,673
1001 FX-8370 4,671
+-0%
1002 Core i3-1005G1 4,670
-0.1%
1003 Core i7-3610QM 4,669
-0.1%
1004 Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U 4,668
-0.1%
1005 Xeon E5-2420 v2 4,668
-0.1%

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Singlecore Score

Single-core performance score for Xeon E3-1290 based on single-threaded benchmark results.

4,801 Rank: 1071
Rank Name Score Visual
1067 Xeon E5-2650 v2 4,811
+0.2%
1068 EPYC 7501 4,809
+0.2%
1069 Core i5-3570S 4,809
+0.2%
1070 Xeon X5690 4,808
+0.1%
1071 Xeon E3-1290 4,801
1072 Core i7 965 4,796
-0.1%
1073 Core i7-5600U 4,794
-0.1%
1074 Ryzen Embedded V1202B 4,790
-0.2%
1075 Xeon X5667 4,789
-0.2%
1076 Core i5-3340 4,788
-0.3%

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Workload Scores

Performance scores grouped by workload type, normalized and aggregated from multiple raw benchmark results.

Number Crunching

Aggregated score for Xeon E3-1290 based on integer math, floating point math, and prime number computation benchmarks.

4,642 Rank: 855
Rank Name Score Visual
851 Core i5-8250U 4,642
+0%
852 Core i3-8300T 4,642
+0%
853 Core i5-4590S 4,642
+0%
854 Core i7-4700HQ 4,642
+0%
855 Xeon E3-1290 4,642
856 Core i7-4710HQ 4,641
+-0%
857 Core i7-3720QM 4,641
+-0%
858 Xeon X5677 4,641
+-0%
859 Xeon Bronze 3204 4,640
+-0%
860 Ryzen 3 PRO 3200G 4,639
-0.1%

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Data Processing

Aggregated score for Xeon E3-1290 based on data encryption, data compression, and string sorting benchmarks.

4,679 Rank: 733
Rank Name Score Visual
729 Core i5-8279U 4,681
+0%
730 Xeon E3-1545M v5 4,680
+0%
731 Core i7-7820HQ 4,679
+0%
732 Core i7-4940MX 4,679
+0%
733 Xeon E3-1290 4,679
734 Core i7-6820EQ 4,678
+-0%
735 Ryzen 3 3200G 4,678
+-0%
736 Core i7-4770S 4,678
+-0%
737 Core i5-8400T 4,677
+-0%
738 Core i3-9350KF 4,675
-0.1%

View full ranking →

Physics & Compute

Aggregated score for Xeon E3-1290 based on physics simulation and extended instruction set (SSE/AVX) benchmarks.

4,643 Rank: 855
Rank Name Score Visual
851 Core i3-1115G4 4,646
+0.1%
852 Ryzen 7 3750H 4,645
+0%
853 Core i7-4702MQ 4,644
+0%
854 Ryzen 7 2800H 4,643
+0%
855 Xeon E3-1290 4,643
856 Xeon X5680 4,643
+0%
857 Core i7-3740QM 4,642
+-0%
858 Ryzen 5 PRO 3400GE 4,641
+-0%
859 Ryzen 5 2600H 4,641
+-0%
860 Ryzen 3 2200G 4,641
+-0%

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Xeon E3-1290 Details

Ranking #1064 of 2060 in overall performance, the Intel Xeon E3-1290 presents a compelling case for its era, though it now sits firmly in the category of legacy hardware. As of March 2026, this processor, launched in May 2011, is over 14 years old, placing it well beyond its peak relevance in modern computing. Despite its age, it remains a notable example of Intel's Sandy Bridge architecture, designed specifically for server and workstation environments where stability and ECC memory support are paramount. Its 32 nm manufacturing process, with 1.16 billion transistors, reflects the state of semiconductor design from the early 2010s, and while it is no longer competitive with contemporary processors, it retains a niche role in legacy systems.

The Xeon E3-1290 is built around a 4-core, 8-thread design, leveraging Intel's Hyper-Threading technology to deliver effective multithreading performance for its time. It operates at a base frequency of 3.6 GHz and can boost to 4.0 GHz, which was impressive for a server-focused CPU at its launch. The processor features a substantial 7.629 MiB of L3 cache, supported by 0.061 MiB of L1 and 0.244 MiB of L2 cache, providing a robust memory hierarchy for data-intensive workloads. It is manufactured on a 32 nm process and is packaged in a Socket 1155 FC-LGA10 configuration, with a TDP of 95 W, requiring adequate cooling for sustained operation.

One of the defining characteristics of the Xeon E3-1290 is its support for ECC memory, a critical feature for mission-critical systems where data integrity is essential. This capability, combined with hardware virtualization features like VT-x and VT-d, makes it suitable for server environments where virtual machines and I/O virtualization are common. It also supports a range of advanced instruction sets, including AVX, AES-NI, and BMI2, enabling efficient handling of encryption, multimedia, and vectorized computations. However, the absence of integrated graphics means it relies on a discrete GPU, a limitation for systems without dedicated graphics.

In benchmark testing, the Xeon E3-1290 achieves an Overall Score of 4750, a Singlecore Score of 4801, and a Multicore Score of 4673. These results place it behind modern processors but competitive with some mid-range and older-generation CPUs. Its single-core performance, ranking #1071 of 2060, suggests that while it was capable for its time, it is now outpaced by contemporary designs. The multicore score of #997 of 2060 highlights its ability to handle parallel workloads, though its performance is overshadowed by modern multi-core processors. The processor's performance is comparable to mid-tier mobile and desktop chips from the early 2010s, such as the Core i5-3570 and FX-8300, but it falls short of even modest modern processors like the Ryzen 3 2300U.

In conclusion, the Intel Xeon E3-1290 is best suited for legacy server or workstation environments where ECC memory, virtualization, and long-term stability are more important than raw performance. While it no longer competes with modern processors in terms of speed or efficiency, its robust feature set and server-grade reliability make it a viable option for specialized, low-demand applications. For new systems, however, it is largely obsolete, with its performance and power efficiency far surpassed by current-generation CPUs.
Frequently Compared

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Intel Xeon D-1527 33 views

AMD A10-7400P 33 views

Intel Celeron G530 33 views

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AMD Ryzen 5 3600 29 views

Intel Xeon E3-1290

Main Specifications

Designer: Intel
Name: Xeon E3-1290
Cores: 4
Threads: 8
Base Frequency: 3600 MHz
Clock Multiplier: 36x (locked)
Core Name: Sandy Bridge
Socket: Socket 1155
Package: FC-LGA10
Target Segment: Server
TDP: 95 W

Cache Specifications

L1 Cache: 62.464 KiB
L2 Cache: 0.244 MiB
L3 Cache: 7.629 MiB

Memory Specifications

Supported Memory Type: DDR3

Physical Specifications

Process: 32 nm
Die Area: 216 mm²
Manufacturer: Intel

CPU Features

MMX EMMX SSE SSE2 SSE3 SSSE3 SSE4.1 SSE4.2 AVX AVX2 ABM BMI1 BMI2 FMA3 AES RdRand ADX CLMUL F16C x86-16 x86-32 x86-64 Real Protected SMM FPU NX EIST TXT VT-x VT-d SSE4a SHA AMD-Vi AMD-V SenseMI SMT
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