Core i3-8100H vs Xeon E5-1603 v3

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 i3-8100H vs Xeon E5-1603 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 i3-8100H vs Xeon E5-1603 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 i3-8100H

2018

Why buy it

✅Draws 1W instead of 140W, a 139W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Xeon E5-1603 v3 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-1603 v3 across 11 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (4,435 vs 4,460).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 10 MB).

Xeon E5-1603 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.3% higher average FPS across 11 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $273 MSRP, while Core i3-8100H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌13900% higher power demand at 140W vs 1W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-8100H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-1603 v3 better than Core i3-8100H?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1603 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i3-8100H 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 E5-1603 v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.3% more average FPS across 11 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-1603 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 66.7% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Xeon E5-1603 v3 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-1603 v3 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $273 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.3% average FPS lead across 11 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (16.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-8100H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2014). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-8100H vs Xeon E5-1603 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-8100H

The Core i3-8100H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 July 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,435 points. Launch price was $225.

Xeon E5-1603 v3

The Xeon E5-1603 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1333, DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 4,460 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-8100H and Xeon E5-1603 v3 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core i3-8100H versus 2.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-1603 v3 — a 6.9% clock advantage for the Core i3-8100H (base: 3 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i3-8100H uses the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-1603 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-8100H scores 4,435 against the Xeon E5-1603 v3's 4,460 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon E5-1603 v3. L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i3-8100H vs 10 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1603 v3.

Feature	Core i3-8100H	Xeon E5-1603 v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3 GHz+7%	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz+7%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB	10 MB (total)+67%
L2 Cache	1 MB	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	4,435	4,460

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-8100H uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1603 v3 uses LGA2011-3 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-8100H	Xeon E5-1603 v3
Socket	BGA1440	LGA2011-3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-8100H) / not specified (Xeon E5-1603 v3). The Core i3-8100H includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E5-1603 v3 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-8100H targets Mobile.