Core i3-8350K vs Xeon X5680
Core i3-8350K
Xeon X5680
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 X5680 is on rank 704, so the Core i3-8350K 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 X5680
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-8350K | Xeon X5680 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($250) | ✅ More affordable ($13) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake (2017−2019) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Westmere-EP (2010−2011) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-8350K | Xeon X5680 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+1823%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($250) | ✅ More affordable ($13) |
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 X5680
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 X5680
The Xeon X5680 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.33 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,910 points. Launch price was $172.
Processing Power
The Core i3-8350K packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon X5680 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon X5680 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i3-8350K versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon X5680 — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Core i3-8350K (base: 4 GHz vs 3.33 GHz). The Core i3-8350K uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon X5680 uses Westmere-EP (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-8350K scores 6,911 against the Xeon X5680's 6,910 — a 0% lead for the Core i3-8350K. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i3-8350K vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon X5680.
| Feature | Core i3-8350K | Xeon X5680 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 6 / 12+50% |
| Boost Clock | 4 GHz+11% | 3.6 GHz |
| Base Clock | 4 GHz+20% | 3.33 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | 12 MB (total)+50% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm-56% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Coffee Lake (2017−2019) | Westmere-EP (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 6,911 | 6,910 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-8350K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon X5680 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-8350K | Xeon X5680 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA1366 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR3-1333 |
| RAM Channels | — | 3 |
| ECC Support | — | ✅ |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-8350K) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5680). Primary use case: Xeon X5680 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon X5680 rivals Core i7-980X.
| Feature | Core i3-8350K | Xeon X5680 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | No |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | — | Workstation |
Value Analysis
The Core i3-8350K launched at $250 MSRP, while the Xeon X5680 debuted at $450. At current prices ($250 vs $13), the Xeon X5680 is $237 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-8350K delivers 27.6 pts/$ vs 531.5 pts/$ for the Xeon X5680 — making the Xeon X5680 the 180.2% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-8350K | Xeon X5680 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $250-44% | $450 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $250 | $13-95% |
| Performance per Dollar | 27.6 | 531.5+1826% |
| Release Date | 2017 | 2010 |
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