Intel Xeon E3-1241 v3 socket: LGA 1150

What the Xeon E3-1241 v3 is

The Xeon E3-1241 v3 is a higher clocked Haswell server quad for single socket nodes on LGA 1150. Intel set four cores and eight threads at 3.5 GHz base with turbo to 3.9 GHz. Eight megabytes of Smart Cache back threaded builds and guests. Power stays at 80 W on 22 nm from May 2014. It leads the 1231 v3 by 100 MHz with the same cooling and board needs.

Top locked E3 v3 clocks help single thread server tasks that set response times. At 3.5 GHz with bursts to 3.9 GHz, control planes and builds feel direct. Eight threads carry virtual machines beside services with ECC memory. No integrated graphics keeps the die focused on CPU work with BMC display for setup. An SSD array completes the node for daily serving.

DDR3-1600 with ECC over two channels feeds the socket. The 80 W rating fits uniprocessor towers and racks with standard heatsinks. It is a server socket for operators who want the fastest E3 v3 threads without moving to dual socket platforms.

Socket and motherboard compatibility

The E3-1241 v3 fits LGA 1150 on C222, C224 and C226 boards for ECC use. Desktop 8 and 9 series boards often boot it for lab work without ECC. Vendor CPU tables gate v3 support by BIOS, so confirm microcode before moving parts between boards.

ECC UDIMMs over two channels carry memory. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide covers desktop pairing, so follow C220 manuals for server populations. Mounting is 75 × 75 mm with 80 W cooling. Boards for LGA 1151 never accept this chip.

A step to higher E3 v3 on the same socket is small, since the 1241 v3 already leads locked clocks. Consider thread needs before chasing 100 MHz.

Memory, PCIe and cooling

DDR3-1600 ECC in dual channel suits single socket virtualization. Thirty two gigabytes covers modest guest counts. Two matched sticks protect uptime. Desktop DDR3 without ECC suits labs where protection can lapse.

Sixteen PCIe 3.0 lanes from the CPU serve NICs, HBAs or accelerators. Server layouts split lanes per manual. Chipset lanes add SATA and USB for boot and data drives. Plan slots around network and storage first.

Vendor 80 W heatsinks hold 3.5 GHz sustained loads with front to back air. The 37.5 × 37.5 mm package fits standard brackets. Keep memory airflow in mind during long all core runs.

Upgrade paths

On the same socket the Intel Xeon E3-1231 v3 at 3.4 GHz to 3.8 GHz is a slightly slower twin on identical boards. The Intel Core i7-4790K at 4.0 GHz to 4.4 GHz is a desktop clock leader without ECC. Both share LGA 1150 fit.

A dual socket server needs LGA 2011-v3. The E3-1241 v3 covers single socket hosts where top E3 v3 clocks at 80 W are wanted.