Core 3 100U vs Xeon E5-2690 v2

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 E5-2690 v2 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 E5-2690 v2: 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 130W, a 115W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and older memory support.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2690 v2 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (13,312 vs 13,377).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (10 MB vs 25 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2690 v2, which brings 10 cores / 20 threads.

Xeon E5-2690 v2

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+150% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 10 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 10 cores / 20 threads.

Trade-offs

❌766.7% higher power demand at 130W vs 15W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2011, while Core 3 100U moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2690 v2 better than Core 3 100U?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2690 v2 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 E5-2690 v2 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.8% 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 E5-2690 v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 150% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 10 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2690 v2 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E5-2690 v2 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.8% 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 2013) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core 3 100U vs Xeon E5-2690 v2 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 E5-2690 v2

The Xeon E5-2690 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 13,377 points. Launch price was $2,697.

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Processing Power

The Core 3 100U packs 6 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2690 v2 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon E5-2690 v2 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core 3 100U versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2690 v2 — a 26.5% clock advantage for the Core 3 100U (base: 1.2 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core 3 100U uses the Raptor Lake-U Refresh (2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Xeon E5-2690 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 3 100U scores 13,312 against the Xeon E5-2690 v2's 13,377 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon E5-2690 v2. L3 cache: 10 MB (total) on the Core 3 100U vs 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2690 v2.

Feature	Core 3 100U	Xeon E5-2690 v2
Cores / Threads	6 / 8	10 / 20+67%
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz+31%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	1.2 GHz	3 GHz+150%
L3 Cache	10 MB (total)	25 MB (total)+150%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+400%	256 kB (per core)
Process	10 nm-55%	22 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-U Refresh (2024)	Ivy Bridge-EP (2013)
PassMark	13,312	13,377

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Memory & Platform

The Core 3 100U uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E5-2690 v2 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.