Core i3-9350K vs Xeon E5-1630 v4

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 i3-9350K vs Xeon E5-1630 v4 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 i3-9350K vs Xeon E5-1630 v4: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-9350K

2019

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 91W instead of 140W, a 49W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-1630 v4 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 10 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-1630 v4, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $184 MSRP, while Xeon E5-1630 v4 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-1630 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,561 vs 7,596).
❌53.8% higher power demand at 140W vs 91W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-9350K better than Xeon E5-1630 v4?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1630 v4 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i3-9350K 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 i3-9350K is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-9350K is the better buy right now. Core i3-9350K comes in at an unclear MSRP at $184 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-1630 v4 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 11.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (41.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-9350K makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2016) 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 i3-9350K vs Xeon E5-1630 v4 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-9350K

The Core i3-9350K 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 4 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 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: 7,596 points. Launch price was $149.

Xeon E5-1630 v4

The Xeon E5-1630 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-EP (2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 7,561 points. Launch price was $406.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-9350K packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Xeon E5-1630 v4's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i3-9350K versus 4 GHz on the Xeon E5-1630 v4 — a 14% clock advantage for the Core i3-9350K (base: 4 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i3-9350K uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-1630 v4 uses Broadwell-EP (2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-9350K scores 7,596 against the Xeon E5-1630 v4's 7,561 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i3-9350K. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-9350K vs 10 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1630 v4.

Feature	Core i3-9350K	Xeon E5-1630 v4
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+15%	4 GHz
Base Clock	4 GHz+8%	3.7 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	10 MB (total)+67%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Broadwell-EP (2016)
PassMark	7,596	7,561

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-9350K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1630 v4 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.