Core 3 100U vs Xeon E5-2658 V3

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.

Core 3 100U vs Xeon E5-2658 V3 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.

Core 3 100U vs Xeon E5-2658 V3: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core 3 100U

2024

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 105W, a 90W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011-3 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2658 V3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (13,312 vs 13,487).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (10 MB vs 30 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2658 V3, which brings 12 cores / 24 threads.

Xeon E5-2658 V3

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 10 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 12 cores / 24 threads.

Trade-offs

❌600% higher power demand at 105W vs 15W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2011-3 with DDR4, while Core 3 100U moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2658 V3 better than Core 3 100U?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2658 V3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core 3 100U 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 E5-2658 V3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.1% 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 E5-2658 V3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 200% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 10 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2658 V3 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E5-2658 V3 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core 3 100U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2014) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011-3. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core 3 100U vs Xeon E5-2658 V3 Technical Specifications

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

Core 3 100U

The Core 3 100U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-U Refresh (2024) architecture. It features 6 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200, LPDDR4X-4267. Passmark benchmark score: 13,312 points. Launch price was $426.

Xeon E5-2658 V3

The Xeon E5-2658 V3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 13,487 points. Launch price was $800.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 3 100U packs 6 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2658 V3 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Xeon E5-2658 V3 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core 3 100U versus 2.9 GHz on the Xeon E5-2658 V3 — a 47.4% clock advantage for the Core 3 100U (base: 1.2 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core 3 100U uses the Raptor Lake-U Refresh (2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Xeon E5-2658 V3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 3 100U scores 13,312 against the Xeon E5-2658 V3's 13,487 — a 1.3% lead for the Xeon E5-2658 V3. L3 cache: 10 MB (total) on the Core 3 100U vs 30 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2658 V3.

Feature	Core 3 100U	Xeon E5-2658 V3
Cores / Threads	6 / 8	12 / 24+100%
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz+62%	2.9 GHz
Base Clock	1.2 GHz	2.2 GHz+83%
L3 Cache	10 MB (total)	30 MB (total)+200%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	10 nm-55%	22 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-U Refresh (2024)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	13,312	13,487+1%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 3 100U uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E5-2658 V3 uses LGA2011-3 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.