Xeon E3-1220V3, good for gaming? or ??

EspiOne · Jun 5, 2014

In Dec 2013, I decide to build a PC to run VMs for my study of Server 2008 R2, (big fail). I am now moving on to study Server 2012 R2 and expect to finish my studies by the end of the year.

I am running a Xeon E3-1220V3 on a ASRock H87M with 32GB 1333 Ram.

I also have a gaming system, i5-4970K on a Asus Z87 board, (1st a Z87-A, now moved to Maximus VI Gene to run in MicroATX case). with 32Gb 1600 Ram.
(I also have a ASUS MAXIMUS VI HERO LGA 1150 Intel Z87 as a back up board, it was on sale)

I will be looking to part out the Study PC at the end of the year.

Can I use the Xeon E3-1220V on a gaming PC or would it not be worth keeping?

Any opinion would be appreciated.

combine1237 · Jun 5, 2014

It is basically a haswell i5 (locked clock speed) of the same clocks and should be perfectly fine to game with. It lacks ht as the lowest xeon 4 core with that is the 1230 v3.

Darth Rache · Jun 5, 2014

for gaming i would go with an i5, xeon is made for running 24/7 and cannot be overclocked due to the motherboard not supporting it. the i5 can be overclocked, and usually has higher stock speeds

Darth Rache · Jun 5, 2014

combine1237 :

Actually the Xeon E3 1230 v3 is basically a i7 4770 without the integrated graphics. Its a very good cpu for the price, especially if you don't intend to overclock. Its not a "server class" cpu, it works on a regular Z87/H87 board, and its quite cheap, but for gaming i would stick to the i5 unless you can find a 1230 for less than a 4670/4670K.

Darth Rache · Jun 5, 2014

Here is a comparison>>>http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Intel-Xeon-E3-1230-v3-vs-Intel-Core-i5-4670K

logainofhades · Jun 5, 2014

You already have it, so you may as well use it for another gaming rig.

Darth Rache · Jun 5, 2014

or you could always get the 1230v2 instead and you can actually overclock it like 400mhz....just a thought

logainofhades · Jun 5, 2014

Darth Rache :

Which would require a new motherboard. With all the hardware the OP has on hand, going back to ivy would be kind of silly.

k1114 · Jun 5, 2014

You cannot oc it 400mhz. Limited oc was removed on haswell.

Edit: oh you said v2. Why would he get a new mobo and cpu with 1155 when he already owns the rig with a 1220v3?

BigBadBeef · Jun 5, 2014

I just ordered a Xeon 1241v3, I will ALSO use it for 1080p gaming and livestreaming mmo's. Nobody of consequence ever said Xeons can't game even if they're not made for it.

Darth Rache · Jun 5, 2014

logainofhades :

I didn't read that part....FACE PALM.

Darth Rache · Jun 5, 2014

BigBadBeef :

I think you will enjoy it.

logainofhades · Jun 5, 2014

BigBadBeef :

I have been wanting to build a mini-itx rig with a 1230v3 for months. Doubt I will ever get around to it though.

k1114 · Jun 5, 2014

BigBadBeef :

Saying they aren't made for gaming is silly, they use the same die as the equivalent i series.

BigBadBeef · Jun 6, 2014

k1114 :

Well I believe your statement is inaccurate. Its no that people say they aren't "made" for gaming, people are saying that they aren't MEANT for gaming. What you really need to look at is the instruction sets it provides, as it was recommended to me, and if it has SSE and that other thing that games need, then it WILL game.

k1114 · Jun 6, 2014

It has all the same instruction sets as it's equivalent i series. Tell me in what way is it not meant for gaming. If you fell for branding, marketing strikes again.

I'll just ignore the part where you literally said made.

leeb2013 · Jun 6, 2014

I changed my I5-3570k for the E3 and they're awesome for gaming. Basically an i7, but very liw power and cool running. Utilisation is about 30% in watchdogs across 6 threads on ultra.

RobCrezz · Jun 6, 2014

Your existing gaming pc is easily capable for this, you dont need an additional computer really.

logainofhades · Jun 6, 2014

RobCrezz :

I cannot really agree with this, as I have 5 desktops and a laptop. Only 3 of them are really in service right now, though. My 3570k, i5 2400, 2x FX 8320's, and recently was given back my old Core 2 E8190. :lol:

RobCrezz · Jun 6, 2014

logainofhades :

:lol: Yeah I have my i5, an i3 secondary desktop, an htpc and two c2d laptops...

My meaning was, that his i5 pc could run them VMs no problem.

EspiOne · Jul 7, 2014

RobCrezz :

yes, I would agree that my current gaming system is capable, actually, as of yesterday it is fully in service, finally got to put the finishing touches.

I see this has been a great discussion, but my concern was, what do with the processor. I can use it in a Z87 board, great, I now know, that if need to rebuild (not that my i5 would go bad), I could use this CPU for a gaming system. Since the CPU is installed on H87M, I could just keep it on that board and build around it. I do PC repairs/builds as a side job, so this could be used as a customer build in the future. (or maybe replace my home server, read my other thread)

Thanks.

Xeon E3-1220V3, good for gaming? or ??

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