Core i3-8350K vs Xeon E5-1620 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 i3-8350K vs Xeon E5-1620 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 i3-8350K vs Xeon E5-1620 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 i3-8350K

2017

Why buy it

✅Costs $44 less on MSRP ($250 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
✅Delivers 16.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 27.6 vs 23.7 PassMark/$ ($250 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
✅Draws 91W instead of 140W, a 49W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-1620 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,911 vs 6,959).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 10 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-1620 v3, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-1620 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 0.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 23.7 vs 27.6 PassMark/$ ($294 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
❌53.8% higher power demand at 140W vs 91W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-1620 v3 better than Core i3-8350K?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1620 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i3-8350K 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 E5-1620 v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.3% 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 E5-1620 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Xeon E5-1620 v3 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Xeon E5-1620 v3 comes in 17.6% more expensive on MSRP at $294 MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-8350K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 16.8% better value on paper (27.6 vs 23.7 PassMark/$), 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 i3-8350K makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2014). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-8350K vs Xeon E5-1620 v3 Technical Specifications

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

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 E5-1620 v3

The Xeon E5-1620 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 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1333, DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 6,959 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-8350K packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Xeon E5-1620 v3's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i3-8350K versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-1620 v3 — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Core i3-8350K (base: 4 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i3-8350K uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-1620 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-8350K scores 6,911 against the Xeon E5-1620 v3's 6,959 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon E5-1620 v3. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i3-8350K vs 10 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1620 v3.

Feature	Core i3-8350K	Xeon E5-1620 v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4 GHz+11%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	4 GHz+14%	3.5 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	10 MB (total)+25%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	6,911	6,959

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-8350K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1620 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-8350K	Xeon E5-1620 v3
Socket	LGA1151	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	—	768 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-8350K) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E5-1620 v3). Primary use case: Xeon E5-1620 v3 targets Server.

Feature	Core i3-8350K	Xeon E5-1620 v3
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	Yes
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Server

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-8350K was priced at $250, while the Xeon E5-1620 v3 came in at $294. On launch pricing ($250 vs $294), Core i3-8350K was $44 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-8350K delivers 27.6 pts/$ vs 23.7 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-1620 v3 — making the Core i3-8350K the 15.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-8350K	Xeon E5-1620 v3
MSRP	$250-15%	$294
Performance per Dollar	27.6+16%	23.7
Release Date	2017	2014

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