Core i3-8350K vs Xeon E3-1286L v3
Core i3-8350K
Xeon E3-1286L v3
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i3-8350K is positioned at rank 629 and the Xeon E3-1286L v3 is on rank 424, so the Xeon E3-1286L v3 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-8350K
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1286L v3
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-8350K | Xeon E3-1286L v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | Balanced gaming performance | Balanced gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($250) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake (2017−2019) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-8350K | Xeon E3-1286L v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($250) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-8350K and Xeon E3-1286L v3
Core i3-8350K
The Core i3-8350K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 October 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 91 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 6,911 points. Launch price was $168.
Xeon E3-1286L v3
The Xeon E3-1286L v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 6,929 points. Launch price was $800.
Processing Power
The Core i3-8350K packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Xeon E3-1286L v3's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i3-8350K versus 4 GHz on the Xeon E3-1286L v3 — identical boost frequencies (base: 4 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i3-8350K is built on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i3-8350K scores 6,911 against the Xeon E3-1286L v3's 6,929 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon E3-1286L v3. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i3-8350K vs 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon E3-1286L v3.
| Feature | Core i3-8350K | Xeon E3-1286L v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 4 GHz | 4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 4 GHz+25% | 3.2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | — |
| Process | 14 nm-36% | 22 nm |
| Architecture | Coffee Lake (2017−2019) | — |
| PassMark | 6,911 | 6,929 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-8350K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1286L v3 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-8350K | Xeon E3-1286L v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA1150 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Core i3-8350K and Xeon E3-1286L v3
