Core i3-N300 vs Xeon E5-1660
Core i3-N300
Xeon E5-1660
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-N300 is positioned at rank 761 and the Xeon E5-1660 is on rank 924, so the Core i3-N300 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-N300
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-1660
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-N300 | Xeon E5-1660 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($309) | ✅ More affordable ($29) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-N (2023) / Intel 7 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-N300 | Xeon E5-1660 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+971%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($309) | ✅ More affordable ($29) |
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-N300 and Xeon E5-1660
Core i3-N300
The Core i3-N300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-N (2023) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 0.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per module). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): 7 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800, LPDDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 8,283 points. Launch price was $309.
Xeon E5-1660
The Xeon E5-1660 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 8,324 points. Launch price was $290.
Processing Power
The Core i3-N300 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-1660 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i3-N300 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i3-N300 versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E5-1660 — a 2.6% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-1660 (base: 0.1 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i3-N300 uses the Alder Lake-N (2023) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon E5-1660 uses Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-N300 scores 8,283 against the Xeon E5-1660's 8,324 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon E5-1660. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-N300 vs 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-1660.
| Feature | Core i3-N300 | Xeon E5-1660 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 8+33% | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 3.8 GHz | 3.9 GHz+3% |
| Base Clock | 0.1 GHz | 3.3 GHz+3200% |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 15360 kB (total)+150% |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per module)+700% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | Intel 7 nm-78% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Alder Lake-N (2023) | Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 8,283 | 8,324 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-N300 uses the FCBGA1264 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E5-1660 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-N300 | Xeon E5-1660 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1264 | LGA2011 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+150% | PCIe 2.0 |
Value Analysis
The Core i3-N300 launched at $309 MSRP, while the Xeon E5-1660 debuted at $1080. At current prices ($309 vs $29), the Xeon E5-1660 is $280 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-N300 delivers 26.8 pts/$ vs 287.0 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-1660 — making the Xeon E5-1660 the 165.8% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-N300 | Xeon E5-1660 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $309-71% | $1080 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $309 | $29-91% |
| Performance per Dollar | 26.8 | 287.0+971% |
| Release Date | 2023 | 2012 |
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