Core i3-8140U 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 i3-8140U 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 i3-8140U 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 i3-8140U

2019

Why buy it

✅+2.1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 15W instead of 130W, a 115W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 620, while Xeon E5-1607 v2 needs a discrete GPU.

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: +6.7% 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 4,227).
❌Launch MSRP is still $250 MSRP, while Core i3-8140U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌766.7% higher power demand at 130W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-8140U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-8140U 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 i3-8140U 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 i3-8140U is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-8140U is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-1607 v2 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i3-8140U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it still gives you 2.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-1607 v2 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 6.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E5-1607 v2 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (16.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core i3-8140U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 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 i3-8140U vs Xeon E5-1607 v2 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-8140U

The Core i3-8140U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 October 2019 (6 years ago). It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400, LPDDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 4,227 points. Launch price was $69.

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 i3-8140U 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 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-8140U versus 3 GHz on the Xeon E5-1607 v2 — a 26.1% clock advantage for the Core i3-8140U (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Xeon E5-1607 v2 is built on the Ivy Bridge-E (2013) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i3-8140U scores 4,227 against the Xeon E5-1607 v2's 4,141 — a 2.1% lead for the Core i3-8140U. L3 cache: 4 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core i3-8140U vs 10 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1607 v2.

Feature	Core i3-8140U	Xeon E5-1607 v2
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+30%	3 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	3 GHz+43%
L3 Cache	4 MB Intel® Smart Cache	10 MB (total)+150%
L2 Cache	—	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	—	Ivy Bridge-E (2013)
PassMark	4,227+2%	4,141
Geekbench 6 Single	1,225	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-8140U uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1607 v2 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-8140U	Xeon E5-1607 v2
Socket	FCBGA1528	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
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, EPT (Core i3-8140U) / not specified (Xeon E5-1607 v2). The Core i3-8140U includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 620), while the Xeon E5-1607 v2 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-8140U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-8140U rivals Ryzen 3 3300U.