Core i5-3450S vs Xeon Bronze 3104

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 i5-3450S vs Xeon Bronze 3104 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 i5-3450S vs Xeon Bronze 3104: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-3450S

2012

Why buy it

✅Draws 65W instead of 85W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8.3 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon Bronze 3104, which brings 6 cores / 6 threads and 48 PCIe lanes.
❌Launch MSRP is still $174 MSRP, while Xeon Bronze 3104 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon Bronze 3104

2017

Why buy it

✅+37.5% larger total L3 cache (8.3 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 6 threads, plus 48 PCIe lanes vs 0.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,383 vs 4,399).
❌30.8% higher power demand at 85W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-3450S better than Xeon Bronze 3104?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon Bronze 3104 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-3450S 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 i5-3450S is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.0% 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 i5-3450S is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-3450S is the better buy right now. Core i5-3450S comes in at an unclear MSRP at $174 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (25.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Xeon Bronze 3104 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2012), 37.5% larger total L3 cache (8.3 MB vs 6 MB), and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-3450S vs Xeon Bronze 3104 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-3450S

The Core i5-3450S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,399 points. Launch price was $150.

Xeon Bronze 3104

The Xeon Bronze 3104 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 July 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 1.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8.25 MB. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 85 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 4,383 points. Launch price was $213.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-3450S packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon Bronze 3104 offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the Xeon Bronze 3104 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-3450S versus 1.7 GHz on the Xeon Bronze 3104 — a 69.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-3450S (base: 2.8 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The Core i5-3450S uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon Bronze 3104 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3450S scores 4,399 against the Xeon Bronze 3104's 4,383 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-3450S. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-3450S vs 8.25 MB on the Xeon Bronze 3104.

Feature	Core i5-3450S	Xeon Bronze 3104
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 6+50%
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz+106%	1.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+65%	1.7 GHz
L3 Cache	6144 kB (total)	8.25 MB+38%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	6 MB+2300%
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	4,399	4,383

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3450S uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Bronze 3104 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.