Intel Xeon E3-1290
Also called intel xeon e3-1290, xeon e3-1290, e3-1290, xeon-e3-1290
Intel Xeon E3 server processor on Sandy Bridge, with 4 cores and 8 threads and 8 MB L3 at 95 W TDP on a 32 nm process addressing up to 32 GB.
What you need to know
Intel Xeon E3-1290 is a legacy server cpu.
Intel Xeon E3-1290 launched in July 1, 2011., It has 4 cores and 8 threads on Sandy Bridge, dropping into the LGA1155 socket. Treat the spec table as the facts. Age alone does not tell you to throw it out.
- Still good?
- Only if the workload is light
- Product age
- 15 years old
- Upgrade pressure
- Moderate
What this hardware means today
Age and usefulness are not the same number. This page keeps them separate.
- Performance today
- Average. Average for the class when RAM, storage, and the GPU keep up.
- Product age 15 years old
- Legacy. Launched July 1, 2011. Newer platforms exist. That does not make this chip unusable by itself.
- Support status
- Supported. Current Windows and current applications still run on this class of CPU. Platform BIOS support depends on the motherboard or laptop vendor.
- Upgrade pressure
- Moderate. Upgrade pressure comes from platform features and specific CPU-bound work, not from the chip being unusable.
Where does it sit?
Sandy Bridge sits on Intel's recent Core timeline. Later desktop branding moved toward Core Ultra.
Performance context
These are qualitative readings, not a fake 8.7 out of 10. Workload still wins.
Gaming: Poor fit
Not the job. Use a desktop or workstation part if games are the point.
Productivity: Average
4 cores cover office, browser, and compile work in this class.
Multithreaded workloads: Average
8 threads. Heavy encodes still scale further on higher-core parts.
General use: Good
Everyday Windows use is not where most people notice this SKU first.
Efficiency: Good
Rated 95 W base power. That is a platform number, not a promise about your cooler.
Should you upgrade?
Probably not based on CPU performance alone.
Upgrade makes more sense if
- Your workload is strongly CPU limited
- You need a newer platform for memory, I/O, or chipset features
- You need substantially more multicore performance
- You need newer connectivity that your current board cannot offer
Upgrade makes less sense if
- The GPU is the real bottleneck
- Current applications are already responsive
- The CPU rarely limits your workload
Specifications
Figures below follow the Feex Hardware Database record for this SKU. Fields without a recorded value are omitted.
Processor
Intel Xeon E3-1290 is built on Sandy Bridge using a 32 nm process.
| Manufacturer | Intel |
|---|---|
| Family | Xeon E3 |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge |
| Generation | Intel Xeon Processor E3 Family |
| Manufacturing process | 32 nm |
| Segment | Server |
Cores and threads
Intel Xeon E3-1290 has 4 cores and 8 threads.
| Cores | 4 |
|---|---|
| Threads | 8 |
Clock speeds
Base clock is 3.6 GHz. Boost reaches 4.0 GHz.
| Base frequency | 3.6 GHz |
|---|---|
| Max boost | 4.0 GHz |
Cache
Cache on this sheet is 8 MB L3.
| L3 cache | 8 MB |
|---|---|
| Total cache | 8 MB |
Memory
Intel Xeon E3-1290 addresses 32 GB across 2 memory channels.
| Supported types | DDR3 |
|---|---|
| Max capacity | 32 GB |
| Channels | 2 |
Package and power
Intel Xeon E3-1290 uses the LGA1155 socket and a 95 W TDP.
| Socket | LGA1155 |
|---|---|
| TDP | 95 W |
| PCIe | Revision 2.0, 20 lanes |
Market
Intel Xeon E3-1290 launched July 1, 2011.
| Launch date | July 1, 2011 |
|---|---|
| Model | E3-1290 |
Features
Intel Xeon E3-1290 records 4 instruction sets on this sheet.
| Instruction sets | AVX64-bit (x86-64)SSE4.1SSE4.2 |
|---|---|
| Virtualization | Extended Page Tables (EPT)VT-d (DMA Remapping)VT-x (Hardware Virtualization) |
Compatibility
| Socket | LGA1155 |
|---|---|
| Board | A shared socket is not automatic compatibility. Check the motherboard CPU list and BIOS revision. |
| Memory | DDR3, up to 32 GB |
A shared socket is not automatic compatibility. Boards often need a BIOS update before a newer chip in the same socket will post.
Cooler clearance, VRM quality, and power limits matter as much as the socket name.
Read the memory list on the board. The CPU can list more standards than one motherboard will accept.
No post after a CPU swap
Clear CMOS only after you confirm the board list includes this SKU and the BIOS is new enough. A supported name on a box is not the same as a flashed board.
Sources and verification
Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Partially Verified. How we research.
- Feex Hardware Database · Specification source used for this sheet. CC BY 4.0.
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