Core i3-1115G4E vs Xeon E5-2643

Intel

Core i3-1115G4E

2 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2020
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Xeon E5-2643

4 Cores8 Thrd130 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2012
Similar parts
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Core i3-1115G4E vs Xeon E5-2643 Performance Spectrum

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.

Core i3-1115G4E vs Xeon E5-2643 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 i3-1115G4E vs Xeon E5-2643: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-1115G4E

2020

Why buy it

  • +0.1% higher PassMark.
  • Costs $1,339 less on MSRP ($213 MSRP vs $1,552 MSRP).
  • Delivers 629.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 24.6 vs 3.4 PassMark/$ ($213 MSRP vs $1,552 MSRP).
  • Draws 15W instead of 130W, a 115W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (4 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2643 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 10 MB).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2643, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads.

Xeon E5-2643

2012

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +16.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +66.7% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 6 MB).
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (5,228 vs 5,231).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 3.4 vs 24.6 PassMark/$ ($1,552 MSRP vs $213 MSRP).
  • 766.7% higher power demand at 130W vs 15W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i3-1115G4E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-1115G4E better than Xeon E5-2643?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2643 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i3-1115G4E is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-1115G4E is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i3-1115G4E is the better buy right now. Core i3-1115G4E comes in $1,339 cheaper on MSRP at $213 MSRP versus $1,552 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2643 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 16.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 629.1% better value on MSRP (24.6 vs 3.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i3-1115G4E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2012), more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-1115G4E vs Xeon E5-2643 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i3-1115G4E

The Core i3-1115G4E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 September 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1449. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, LPDDR4X. Passmark benchmark score: 5,231 points. Launch price was $285.

Intel

Xeon E5-2643

The Xeon E5-2643 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 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 10240 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,228 points. Launch price was $218.

Processing Power

The Core i3-1115G4E packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E5-2643 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Xeon E5-2643 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-1115G4E versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2643 — a 10.8% clock advantage for the Core i3-1115G4E (base: 2.2 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i3-1115G4E uses the Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Xeon E5-2643 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-1115G4E scores 5,231 against the Xeon E5-2643's 5,228 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i3-1115G4E. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-1115G4E vs 10240 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2643.

FeatureCore i3-1115G4EXeon E5-2643
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock
3.9 GHz+11%
3.5 GHz
Base Clock
2.2 GHz
3.3 GHz+50%
L3 Cache
6 MB (total)
10240 kB (total)+67%
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)+400%
256 kB (per core)
Process
10 nm-69%
32 nm
Architecture
Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021)
Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
PassMark
5,231
5,228
Geekbench 6 Single
1,506
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-1115G4E uses the FCBGA1449 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-2643 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i3-1115G4EXeon E5-2643
Socket
FCBGA1449
LGA2011
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
4
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-1115G4E) / not specified (Xeon E5-2643). The Core i3-1115G4E includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics for 11th Gen (48 EU)), while the Xeon E5-2643 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-1115G4E targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i3-1115G4E rivals Ryzen Embedded V2516.

FeatureCore i3-1115G4EXeon E5-2643
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics for 11th Gen (48 EU)
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Embedded
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-1115G4E was priced at $213, while the Xeon E5-2643 came in at $1552. On launch pricing ($213 vs $1552), Core i3-1115G4E was $1339 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-1115G4E delivers 24.6 pts/$ vs 3.4 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2643 — making the Core i3-1115G4E the 151.8% better value option.

FeatureCore i3-1115G4EXeon E5-2643
MSRP
$213-86%
$1552
Performance per Dollar
24.6+624%
3.4
Release Date
2020
2012

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