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 i3-12100 vs Xeon E5-2667 v3 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 i3-12100 vs Xeon E5-2667 v3: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-12100

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,935 less on MSRP ($122 MSRP vs $2,057 MSRP).
✅Delivers 1564.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 100.9 vs 6.1 PassMark/$ ($122 MSRP vs $2,057 MSRP).
✅Draws 60W instead of 135W, a 75W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 730, while Xeon E5-2667 v3 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (12,315 vs 12,474).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2667 v3, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-2667 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.
✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅100% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.1 vs 100.9 PassMark/$ ($2,057 MSRP vs $122 MSRP).
❌125% higher power demand at 135W vs 60W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2011 with DDR4, while Core i3-12100 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-12100 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-12100.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-12100 better than Xeon E5-2667 v3?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2667 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i3-12100 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, Xeon E5-2667 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i3-12100 is the better buy right now. Core i3-12100 comes in $1,935 cheaper on MSRP at $122 MSRP versus $2,057 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2667 v3 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.3% better PassMark. It is also 1564.6% better value on MSRP (100.9 vs 6.1 PassMark/$), 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 i3-12100 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2014) and a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-12100 vs Xeon E5-2667 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-12100

The Core i3-12100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 60 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 12,315 points. Launch price was $149.

Xeon E5-2667 v3

The Xeon E5-2667 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 135 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 12,474 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-12100 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2667 v3 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-2667 v3 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i3-12100 versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2667 v3 — a 17.7% clock advantage for the Core i3-12100 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i3-12100 uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon E5-2667 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-12100 scores 12,315 against the Xeon E5-2667 v3's 12,474 — a 1.3% lead for the Xeon E5-2667 v3. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i3-12100 vs 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2667 v3.

Feature	Core i3-12100	Xeon E5-2667 v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	8 / 16+100%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+19%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+3%	3.2 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	20 MB (total)+67%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	Intel 7 nm-68%	22 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	12,315	12,474+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	2,157	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-12100 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E5-2667 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i3-12100 versus DDR4-2133 on the Xeon E5-2667 v3 — the Core i3-12100 supports 125% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-2667 v3 supports up to 768 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i3-12100) vs 4 (Xeon E5-2667 v3). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i3-12100) vs 40 (Xeon E5-2667 v3) — the Xeon E5-2667 v3 offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,Z790 (Core i3-12100) and Intel X99,Intel C612 (Xeon E5-2667 v3).

Feature	Core i3-12100	Xeon E5-2667 v3
Socket	LGA1700	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800+125%	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	768 GB+500%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	40+100%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-12100) / not specified (Xeon E5-2667 v3). The Core i3-12100 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 730), while the Xeon E5-2667 v3 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-12100 targets Budget Gaming Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-12100 rivals Ryzen 5 5500.

Feature	Core i3-12100	Xeon E5-2667 v3
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 730	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Budget Gaming Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-12100 was priced at $122, while the Xeon E5-2667 v3 came in at $2057. On launch pricing ($122 vs $2057), Core i3-12100 was $1935 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-12100 delivers 100.9 pts/$ vs 6.1 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2667 v3 — making the Core i3-12100 the 177.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-12100	Xeon E5-2667 v3
MSRP	$122-94%	$2057
Performance per Dollar	100.9+1554%	6.1
Release Date	2022	2014

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