Core i3-7300T vs Xeon E5-1607 v2

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 i3-7300T vs Xeon E5-1607 v2 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 i3-7300T vs Xeon E5-1607 v2: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-7300T

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $112 less on MSRP ($138 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
✅Delivers 81.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 30.0 vs 16.6 PassMark/$ ($138 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 130W, a 95W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-1607 v2 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 10 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-1607 v2, which brings 4 cores / 4 threads.

Xeon E5-1607 v2

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+150% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 4 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,141 vs 4,145).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 16.6 vs 30.0 PassMark/$ ($250 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).
❌271.4% higher power demand at 130W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-7300T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-7300T.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-7300T better than Xeon E5-1607 v2?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1607 v2 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i3-7300T 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 i3-7300T 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 i3-7300T is the better buy right now. Core i3-7300T comes in $112 cheaper on MSRP at $138 MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-1607 v2 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 81.3% better value on MSRP (30.0 vs 16.6 PassMark/$), 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 i3-7300T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-7300T vs Xeon E5-1607 v2 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-7300T

The Core i3-7300T 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 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,145 points. Launch price was $147.

Xeon E5-1607 v2

The Xeon E5-1607 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Ivy Bridge-E (2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 4,141 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-7300T packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E5-1607 v2 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon E5-1607 v2 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i3-7300T versus 3 GHz on the Xeon E5-1607 v2 — a 15.4% clock advantage for the Core i3-7300T (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i3-7300T uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-1607 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-E (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7300T scores 4,145 against the Xeon E5-1607 v2's 4,141 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i3-7300T. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-7300T vs 10 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1607 v2.

Feature	Core i3-7300T	Xeon E5-1607 v2
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz+17%	3 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+17%	3 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	10 MB (total)+150%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Ivy Bridge-E (2013)
PassMark	4,145	4,141
Geekbench 6 Single	1,100	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-7300T uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1607 v2 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-7300T	Xeon E5-1607 v2
Socket	LGA1151	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-7300T) / not specified (Xeon E5-1607 v2). The Core i3-7300T includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E5-1607 v2 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7300T targets Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-7300T rivals Ryzen 3 2200GE.

Feature	Core i3-7300T	Xeon E5-1607 v2
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Low Power Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-7300T was priced at $138, while the Xeon E5-1607 v2 came in at $250. On launch pricing ($138 vs $250), Core i3-7300T was $112 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-7300T delivers 30.0 pts/$ vs 16.6 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-1607 v2 — making the Core i3-7300T the 57.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-7300T	Xeon E5-1607 v2
MSRP	$138-45%	$250
Performance per Dollar	30.0+81%	16.6
Release Date	2017	2013

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