Atom Z3740 vs Xeon E5-4603

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Atom Z3740 vs Xeon E5-4603 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Atom Z3740 vs Xeon E5-4603: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Atom Z3740

2013

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 95W, a 93W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail), while Xeon E5-4603 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-4603 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,380 vs 3,391).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-4603, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads.

Xeon E5-4603

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $202 MSRP, while Atom Z3740 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌4650% higher power demand at 95W vs 2W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Atom Z3740 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-4603 better than Atom Z3740?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-4603 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Atom Z3740 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-4603 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.8% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-4603 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Xeon E5-4603 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-4603 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $202 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (16.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Atom Z3740 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Atom Z3740 vs Xeon E5-4603 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Atom Z3740

The Atom Z3740 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Bay Trail-T (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.33 GHz, with boost up to 1.86 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: UTFCBGA1380. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,380 points. Launch price was $32.

Xeon E5-4603

The Xeon E5-4603 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 10240 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,391 points. Launch price was $712.

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Processing Power

The Atom Z3740 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Xeon E5-4603's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.86 GHz on the Atom Z3740 versus 2 GHz on the Xeon E5-4603 — a 7.3% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-4603 (base: 1.33 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Atom Z3740 uses the Bay Trail-T (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-4603 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Atom Z3740 scores 3,380 against the Xeon E5-4603's 3,391 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon E5-4603. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom Z3740 vs 10240 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-4603.

Feature	Atom Z3740	Xeon E5-4603
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	1.86 GHz	2 GHz+8%
Base Clock	1.33 GHz	2 GHz+50%
L3 Cache	0 kB	10240 kB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Bay Trail-T (2013−2014)	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
PassMark	3,380	3,391

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Memory & Platform

The Atom Z3740 uses the UTFCBGA1380 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5-4603 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Atom Z3740	Xeon E5-4603
Socket	UTFCBGA1380	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR3-1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	4 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	0	—