Core i3-7100 vs Xeon E5-1603 v4
Core i3-7100
Xeon E5-1603 v4
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. The Core i3-7100 is positioned at rank 532 and the Xeon E5-1603 v4 is on rank 599, so the Core i3-7100 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-7100
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-1603 v4
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-7100 | Xeon E5-1603 v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($40) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Legacy / Standard Node) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-7100 | Xeon E5-1603 v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($40) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 i3-7100 and Xeon E5-1603 v4
Core i3-7100
The Core i3-7100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 51 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,306 points. Launch price was $117.
Xeon E5-1603 v4
The Xeon E5-1603 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. Passmark benchmark score: 4,355 points. Launch price was $800.
Processing Power
The Core i3-7100 is built on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i3-7100 scores 4,306 against the Xeon E5-1603 v4's 4,355 — a 1.1% lead for the Xeon E5-1603 v4.
| Feature | Core i3-7100 | Xeon E5-1603 v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | — |
| Boost Clock | 3.9 GHz | — |
| Base Clock | 3.9 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | — |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | — |
| Process | 14 nm | — |
| Architecture | Kaby Lake (2016−2019) | — |
| PassMark | 4,306 | 4,355+1% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-7100) / not specified (Xeon E5-1603 v4). The Core i3-7100 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E5-1603 v4 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7100 targets Desktop.
| Feature | Core i3-7100 | Xeon E5-1603 v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 630 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
| Target Use | Desktop | — |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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