Core i5-1135G7 vs Xeon E3-1285 v6

Intel

Core i5-1135G7

4 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2020
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Xeon E3-1285 v6

4 Cores8 Thrd79 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2017
Similar parts
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Core i5-1135G7 vs Xeon E3-1285 v6 Performance Spectrum

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.

Core i5-1135G7 vs Xeon E3-1285 v6 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 i5-1135G7 vs Xeon E3-1285 v6: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-1135G7

2020

Why buy it

  • Draws 15W instead of 79W, a 64W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics (80 EU), while Xeon E3-1285 v6 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E3-1285 v6 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (9,414 vs 9,502).

Xeon E3-1285 v6

2017

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +25.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $450 MSRP, while Core i5-1135G7 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 426.7% higher power demand at 79W vs 15W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i5-1135G7 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1285 v6 better than Core i5-1135G7?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1285 v6 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-1135G7 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 E3-1285 v6 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 25.2% 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 E3-1285 v6 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon E3-1285 v6 is the better buy right now. Xeon E3-1285 v6 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $450 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 25.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (21.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-1135G7 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2017) and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-1135G7 vs Xeon E3-1285 v6 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-1135G7

The Core i5-1135G7 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 September 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-UP3 (2020−2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1449. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 9,414 points. Launch price was $309.

Intel

Xeon E3-1285 v6

The Xeon E3-1285 v6 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 August 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake-DT (2017) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 79 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400, DDR3L-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 9,502 points. Launch price was $450.

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-1135G7 and Xeon E3-1285 v6 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i5-1135G7 versus 4.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1285 v6 — a 6.9% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1285 v6 (base: 1.5 GHz vs 4.1 GHz). The Core i5-1135G7 uses the Tiger Lake-UP3 (2020−2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Xeon E3-1285 v6 uses Kaby Lake-DT (2017) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-1135G7 scores 9,414 against the Xeon E3-1285 v6's 9,502 — a 0.9% lead for the Xeon E3-1285 v6. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

FeatureCore i5-1135G7Xeon E3-1285 v6
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
4 / 8
Boost Clock
4.2 GHz
4.5 GHz+7%
Base Clock
1.5 GHz
4.1 GHz+173%
L3 Cache
8 MB (total)
8 MB (total)
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
256K (per core)+20380%
Process
10 nm SuperFin-29%
14 nm
Architecture
Tiger Lake-UP3 (2020−2021)
Kaby Lake-DT (2017)
PassMark
9,414
9,502
Cinebench R23 Multi
5,183
Geekbench 6 Single
1,592
Geekbench 6 Multi
4,495
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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-1135G7 uses the FCBGA1449 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E3-1285 v6 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-1135G7Xeon E3-1285 v6
Socket
FCBGA1449
LGA1151
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200, LPDDR4x-4267
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
16
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-1135G7) / not specified (Xeon E3-1285 v6). The Core i5-1135G7 includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics (80 EU)), while the Xeon E3-1285 v6 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-1135G7 targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i5-1135G7 rivals Ryzen 5 5500U.

FeatureCore i5-1135G7Xeon E3-1285 v6
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Iris Xe Graphics (80 EU)
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Productivity