Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3 socket: LGA 1150

What the Xeon E3-1240L v3 is

The Xeon E3-1240L v3 is an ultra low power Haswell server quad for dense single socket nodes on LGA 1150. Intel set four cores and eight threads at 2.0 GHz base with turbo to 3.0 GHz. Eight megabytes of Smart Cache serve threaded micro services. Power is only 25 W on 22 nm from May 2014. It keeps eight threads where standard 80 W E3 v3 parts would break small chassis budgets.

Low base clocks sip power in compact servers that run many nodes per rack. Turbo to 3.0 GHz covers single thread bursts in control tasks. Eight threads handle containers beside storage services with ECC memory. No integrated graphics keeps power focused on CPU work with BMC for setup. An SSD shapes response more than clocks in these always on roles. Buyers pick the L where watts per thread decide deployments.

DDR3-1600 with ECC over two channels feeds the socket. The 25 W envelope allows small heatsinks and quiet fans in edge cabinets. It is a server socket for operators who want E3 v3 threads at the lowest power of the line.

Socket and motherboard compatibility

The E3-1240L v3 fits LGA 1150 on C220 series boards with low power support. Vendor tables list L parts separately with 25 W thermal guidance. Check the minimum BIOS with v3 microcode before installing in early boards. Desktop 8 and 9 series boards may boot it for labs without ECC.

ECC UDIMMs over two channels carry memory. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide covers desktop tiers, so use C220 manuals for server maps. Cooler mounting is 75 × 75 mm with low profile 25 W units. Chips for LGA 1151 never fit.

A move to standard E3 v3 on the same socket adds clocks where power allows. Confirm chassis cooling before swapping 25 W L for 80 W parts.

Memory, PCIe and cooling

DDR3-1600 ECC in dual channel suits dense nodes. Sixteen gigabytes covers micro services with SSD boot. Two matched sticks protect uptime. Low voltage options follow board support for cooler operation.

Sixteen PCIe 3.0 lanes from the CPU feed NICs and HBAs for edge traffic. Compact server layouts favor network over graphics. Chipset lanes add SATA and USB for boot drives. Slot plans follow the vendor manual.

Low profile 25 W cooling holds 2.0 GHz quietly with bursts to 3.0 GHz. The FCLGA1150 package at 37.5 × 37.5 mm fits standard clips. Keep cabinet intakes clear, since dense nodes share warm air.

Upgrade paths

Within the socket the Intel Xeon E3-1231 v3 at 3.4 GHz to 3.8 GHz is a higher clock step where power budgets allow 80 W. The Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3 at 3.3 GHz with four threads is a nearby workstation option with graphics. Both share LGA 1150 mounting.

A dual socket platform needs LGA 2011-v3. The E3-1240L v3 covers single socket edges where 25 W threads are required.