Core i3-7350K vs Xeon E5645

CPU

GPU

Core i3-7350K

2 Cores4 Thrd60 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2017

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Xeon E5645

6 Cores12 Thrd80 WWMax: 2.67 GHz2010

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Core i3-7350K vs Xeon E5645 Performance Spectrum

Core i3-7350K

2 / 4

4,886

0.0%

Celeron Dual-Core T1400

4,942

+1.1%

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 i3-7350K vs Xeon E5645 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 i3-7350K vs Xeon E5645: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-7350K

2017

Why buy it

✅Costs $115 less on MSRP ($179 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
✅Delivers 62.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 27.3 vs 16.8 PassMark/$ ($179 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
✅Draws 60W instead of 80W, a 20W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 630, while Xeon E5645 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5645 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (4,886 vs 4,942).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5645, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads.

Xeon E5645

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 16.8 vs 27.3 PassMark/$ ($294 MSRP vs $179 MSRP).
❌33.3% higher power demand at 80W vs 60W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-7350K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5645 better than Core i3-7350K?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5645 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i3-7350K is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5645 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.4% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5645 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 200% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 4 MB).

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

Xeon E5645 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Xeon E5645 comes in 64.2% more expensive on MSRP at $294 MSRP versus $179 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-7350K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 62.4% better value on paper (27.3 vs 16.8 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-7350K makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-7350K vs Xeon E5645 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-7350K

The Core i3-7350K 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 4.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 60 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,886 points. Launch price was $179.

Xeon E5645

The Xeon E5645 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.67 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,942 points. Launch price was $294.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-7350K packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E5645 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5645 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i3-7350K versus 2.67 GHz on the Xeon E5645 — a 44.5% clock advantage for the Core i3-7350K (base: 4.2 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i3-7350K uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5645 uses Westmere-EP (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7350K scores 4,886 against the Xeon E5645's 4,942 — a 1.1% lead for the Xeon E5645. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-7350K vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon E5645.

Feature	Core i3-7350K	Xeon E5645
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+57%	2.67 GHz
Base Clock	4.2 GHz+75%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	12 MB (total)+200%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
PassMark	4,886	4,942+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	3,100	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,298	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,740	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-7350K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5645 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i3-7350K versus DDR3-1333 on the Xeon E5645 — the Core i3-7350K supports 80% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5645 supports up to 288 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 350% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i3-7350K) vs 3 (Xeon E5645). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-7350K) vs 0 (Xeon E5645) — the Core i3-7350K offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i3-7350K	Xeon E5645
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+80%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	288 GB+350%
RAM Channels	2	3+50%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: true (Core i3-7350K) vs VT-x (Xeon E5645). The Core i3-7350K includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E5645 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon E5645 targets Server.

Feature	Core i3-7350K	Xeon E5645
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	VT-x
Target Use	—	Server

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-7350K was priced at $179, while the Xeon E5645 came in at $294. On launch pricing ($179 vs $294), Core i3-7350K was $115 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-7350K delivers 27.3 pts/$ vs 16.8 pts/$ for the Xeon E5645 — making the Core i3-7350K the 47.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-7350K	Xeon E5645
MSRP	$179-39%	$294
Performance per Dollar	27.3+63%	16.8
Release Date	2017	2010

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