Core i3-8300 vs Xeon E5-2420 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 i3-8300 vs Xeon E5-2420 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 i3-8300 vs Xeon E5-2420 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 i3-8300

2018

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 62W instead of 80W, a 18W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Xeon E5-2420 v2 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Xeon E5-2420 v2.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2420 v2 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 15 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2420 v2, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $138 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2420 v2 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-2420 v2

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,349 vs 6,370).
❌29% higher power demand at 80W vs 62W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-8300 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-8300.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-8300 better than Xeon E5-2420 v2?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2420 v2 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i3-8300 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 i3-8300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-8300 is the better buy right now. Core i3-8300 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $138 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2420 v2 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 11.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (46.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-8300 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-8300 vs Xeon E5-2420 v2 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-8300

The Core i3-8300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 62 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 6,370 points. Launch price was $138.

Xeon E5-2420 v2

The Xeon E5-2420 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,349 points. Launch price was $480.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-8300 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E5-2420 v2 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2420 v2 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i3-8300 versus 2.7 GHz on the Xeon E5-2420 v2 — a 31.3% clock advantage for the Core i3-8300 (base: 3.7 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i3-8300 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2420 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-8300 scores 6,370 against the Xeon E5-2420 v2's 6,349 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i3-8300. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i3-8300 vs 15 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2420 v2.

Feature	Core i3-8300	Xeon E5-2420 v2
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+37%	2.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+68%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	15 MB (total)+88%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014)
PassMark	6,370	6,349
Geekbench 6 Single	1,327	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-8300 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2420 v2 uses LGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-8300	Xeon E5-2420 v2
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1356
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 i3-8300) / not specified (Xeon E5-2420 v2). The Core i3-8300 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E5-2420 v2 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-8300 targets Mainstream Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-8300 rivals Ryzen 3 2300X.