Core 3 N350 vs Xeon E3-1246 v3

Core 3 N350

8 Cores8 Thrd7 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2025

Xeon E3-1246 v3

4 Cores8 Thrd84 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2014

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 3 N350

8 / 8

7,249

+0.3%

7,228

0.0%

About PassMark

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core 3 N350 is positioned at rank 666 and the Xeon E3-1246 v3 is on rank 842, so the Core 3 N350 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core 3 N350

#654

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

911%

#655

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

897%

#656

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

824%

#657

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

820%

#658

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

812%

#660

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

785%

#661

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

752%

#662

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

751%

#663

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

731%

#666

Core 3 N350

MSRP: $225|Avg: $220

100%

#668

FX-7500

MSRP: $100|Avg: $25

100%

#681

Core i3-N305

MSRP: $309|Avg: $309

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1246 v3

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

19172%

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

3620%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

3216%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

2485%

#476

EPYC 9745

MSRP: $12141|Avg: $10588

99%

#477

EPYC 7J13

MSRP: $7890|Avg: $150

99%

#478

EPYC 7702

MSRP: $6450|Avg: $2035

99%

#479

EPYC 7763

MSRP: $7890|Avg: $1513

99%

#480

EPYC 9734

MSRP: $9600|Avg: $6598

98%

#481

Xeon Platinum 8160M

MSRP: $5000|Avg: $350

98%

#482

Xeon 6724P

MSRP: $3622|Avg: $3622

97%

#483

EPYC 9634

MSRP: $10304|Avg: $3949

97%

#842

Xeon E3-1246 v3

MSRP: $667|Avg: $215

100%

#843

Xeon W3540

MSRP: $284|Avg: $10

100%

#844

Xeon E-2124G

MSRP: $667|Avg: $462

100%

#852

Xeon E5-2407

MSRP: $250|Avg: $25

98%

#857

Xeon 5120

MSRP: $107|Avg: $15

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core 3 N350 (2025) utilizes Intel 7 nm technology and DDR4, DDR5, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core 3 N350	Xeon E3-1246 v3
Gaming	Balanced gaming performance	Balanced gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($220)	✅ More affordable ($215)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Twin Lake (2024−2025) / Intel 7 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon E3-1246 v3 (2014) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core 3 N350	Xeon E3-1246 v3
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+2%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($220)	✅ More affordable ($215)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core 3 N350 Benchmark Check

Xeon E3-1246 v3 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 3 N350 and Xeon E3-1246 v3

Core 3 N350

The Core 3 N350 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Twin Lake (2024−2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 0.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): 7 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 7,249 points. Launch price was $149.

Xeon E3-1246 v3

The Xeon E3-1246 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 84 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 7,228 points. Launch price was $800.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 3 N350 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E3-1246 v3 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core 3 N350 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core 3 N350 versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E3-1246 v3 — identical boost frequencies (base: 0.1 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core 3 N350 is built on the Twin Lake (2024−2025) architecture. In PassMark, the Core 3 N350 scores 7,249 against the Xeon E3-1246 v3's 7,228 — a 0.3% lead for the Core 3 N350. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core 3 N350 vs 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon E3-1246 v3.

Feature	Core 3 N350	Xeon E3-1246 v3
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+100%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	0.1 GHz	3.5 GHz+3400%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB Intel® Smart Cache+33%
L2 Cache	2 MB (total)	—
Process	Intel 7 nm-68%	22 nm
Architecture	Twin Lake (2024−2025)	—
PassMark	7,249	7,228

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 3 N350 uses the FCBGA1264 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E3-1246 v3 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 3 N350	Xeon E3-1246 v3
Socket	FCBGA1264	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0

💰

Value Analysis

The Core 3 N350 launched at $225 MSRP, while the Xeon E3-1246 v3 debuted at $667. At current prices ($220 vs $215), the Xeon E3-1246 v3 is $5 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 3 N350 delivers 33.0 pts/$ vs 33.6 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1246 v3 — making the Xeon E3-1246 v3 the 2% better value option.