Core i3-10305 vs Xeon E5-2680
Core i3-10305
Xeon E5-2680
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-10305
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2680
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-10305 | Xeon E5-2680 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($100) | ✅ More affordable ($40) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Comet Lake-R (2021) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-10305 | Xeon E5-2680 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+152%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($100) | ✅ More affordable ($40) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-10305 and Xeon E5-2680
Core i3-10305
The Core i3-10305 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 9,210 points. Launch price was $149.
Xeon E5-2680
The Xeon E5-2680 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 9,289 points. Launch price was $1,723.
Processing Power
The Core i3-10305 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2680 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-2680 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i3-10305 versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2680 — a 25% clock advantage for the Core i3-10305 (base: 3.8 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i3-10305 uses the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2680 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-10305 scores 9,210 against the Xeon E5-2680's 9,289 — a 0.9% lead for the Xeon E5-2680. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i3-10305 vs 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2680.
| Feature | Core i3-10305 | Xeon E5-2680 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 8 / 16+100% |
| Boost Clock | 4.5 GHz+29% | 3.5 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.8 GHz+41% | 2.7 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | 20 MB (total)+150% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm-56% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Comet Lake-R (2021) | Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) |
| PassMark | 9,210 | 9,289 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,536 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-10305 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2680 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i3-10305 versus DDR3-1600 on the Xeon E5-2680 — the Core i3-10305 supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-2680 supports up to 384 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i3-10305) vs 4 (Xeon E5-2680). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-10305) vs 40 (Xeon E5-2680) — the Xeon E5-2680 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z490,B460 (Core i3-10305) and Intel X79,Intel C602 (Xeon E5-2680).
| Feature | Core i3-10305 | Xeon E5-2680 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1200 | LGA2011 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2666+33% | DDR3-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 384 GB+200% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 4+100% |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 40+150% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-10305) / not specified (Xeon E5-2680). The Core i3-10305 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E5-2680 requires a dedicated GPU.
| Feature | Core i3-10305 | Xeon E5-2680 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | UHD Graphics 630 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i3-10305 launched at $149 MSRP, while the Xeon E5-2680 debuted at $3226. At current prices ($100 vs $40), the Xeon E5-2680 is $60 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-10305 delivers 92.1 pts/$ vs 232.2 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2680 — making the Xeon E5-2680 the 86.4% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-10305 | Xeon E5-2680 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $149-95% | $3226 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $100 | $40-60% |
| Performance per Dollar | 92.1 | 232.2+152% |
| Release Date | 2021 | 2012 |
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