Core i3-9300 vs Xeon E3-1231 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 i3-9300 vs Xeon E3-1231 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 i3-9300 vs Xeon E3-1231 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 i3-9300

2019

Why buy it

✅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 E3-1231 v3 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Xeon E3-1231 v3.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E3-1231 v3, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $143 MSRP, while Xeon E3-1231 v3 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E3-1231 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,031 vs 7,105).
❌29% higher power demand at 80W vs 62W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-9300 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-9300.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-9300 better than Xeon E3-1231 v3?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1231 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i3-9300 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-9300 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.0% 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, Core i3-9300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-9300 is the better buy right now. Core i3-9300 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $143 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (49.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-9300 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2014) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-9300 vs Xeon E3-1231 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-9300

The Core i3-9300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 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 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 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: 7,105 points. Launch price was $143.

Xeon E3-1231 v3

The Xeon E3-1231 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 7,031 points. Launch price was $240.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-9300 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Xeon E3-1231 v3's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i3-9300 versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E3-1231 v3 — a 12.3% clock advantage for the Core i3-9300 (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i3-9300 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1231 v3 uses Haswell-WS (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-9300 scores 7,105 against the Xeon E3-1231 v3's 7,031 — a 1% lead for the Core i3-9300. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-9300 vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1231 v3.

Feature	Core i3-9300	Xeon E3-1231 v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+13%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+9%	3.4 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)
PassMark	7,105+1%	7,031
Geekbench 6 Single	1,498	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	4,025	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-9300 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1231 v3 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-9300	Xeon E3-1231 v3
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1150
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 (Core i3-9300) / not specified (Xeon E3-1231 v3). The Core i3-9300 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E3-1231 v3 requires a dedicated GPU.