Core 3 N350 vs Xeon E3-1280 v3

Core 3 N350

8 Cores8 Thrd7 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2025

Xeon E3-1280 v3

4 Cores8 Thrd82 WWMax: 4 GHz2013

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 3 N350

8 / 8

7,249

0.0%

7,252

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 E3-1280 v3 is on rank 496, so the Xeon E3-1280 v3 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 E3-1280 v3

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

7164%

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

1353%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

1202%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

928%

#309

Xeon W-2255

MSRP: $778|Avg: $350

100%

#310

Xeon Silver 4316

MSRP: $1126|Avg: $1200

100%

#311

Xeon w7-3545

MSRP: $2039|Avg: $2039

99%

#312

EPYC 7643P

MSRP: $2722|Avg: $2722

98%

#313

Xeon w5-3435X

MSRP: $1589|Avg: $163

98%

#314

Xeon Gold 6312U

MSRP: $1645|Avg: N/A

98%

#496

Xeon E3-1280 v3

MSRP: $250|Avg: $44

100%

#497

Xeon W-2123

MSRP: $294|Avg: $342

100%

#500

Xeon E3-1230 v2

MSRP: $215|Avg: $268

99%

#505

Xeon D-1521

MSRP: $199|Avg: $241

99%

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 E3-1280 v3
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($220)	✅ More affordable ($44)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Twin Lake (2024−2025) / Intel 7 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Haswell-WS (2013−2014) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon E3-1280 v3 (2013) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3, DDR4, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core 3 N350	Xeon E3-1280 v3
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+400%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($220)	✅ More affordable ($44)

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 E3-1280 v3 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 3 N350 and Xeon E3-1280 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 E3-1280 v3

The Xeon E3-1280 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 82 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,252 points. Launch price was $800.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 3 N350 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E3-1280 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 4 GHz on the Xeon E3-1280 v3 — a 2.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1280 v3 (base: 0.1 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core 3 N350 uses the Twin Lake (2024−2025) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon E3-1280 v3 uses Haswell-WS (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 3 N350 scores 7,249 against the Xeon E3-1280 v3's 7,252 — a 0% lead for the Xeon E3-1280 v3. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core 3 N350 vs 8192 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1280 v3.

Feature	Core 3 N350	Xeon E3-1280 v3
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+100%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	4 GHz+3%
Base Clock	0.1 GHz	3.6 GHz+3500%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8192 kB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	2 MB (total)+700%	256 kB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-68%	22 nm
Architecture	Twin Lake (2024−2025)	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)
PassMark	7,249	7,252

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 3 N350 uses the FCBGA1264 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E3-1280 v3 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 3 N350	Xeon E3-1280 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 E3-1280 v3 debuted at $250. At current prices ($220 vs $44), the Xeon E3-1280 v3 is $176 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 3 N350 delivers 33.0 pts/$ vs 164.8 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1280 v3 — making the Xeon E3-1280 v3 the 133.4% better value option.