Core i5-7300HQ vs Xeon E3-1505L v5

Intel

Core i5-7300HQ

4 Cores4 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2017
VS
Intel

Xeon E3-1505L v5

4 Cores8 Thrd25 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2015

Core i5-7300HQ vs Xeon E3-1505L v5 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 i5-7300HQ vs Xeon E3-1505L v5 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 i5-7300HQ vs Xeon E3-1505L v5: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-7300HQ

2017

Why buy it

  • βœ…100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • βœ…Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 630, while Xeon E3-1505L v5 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E3-1505L v5 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Lower PassMark (5,077 vs 5,083).
  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
  • ❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E3-1505L v5, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads.
  • ❌80% higher power demand at 45W vs 25W.

Xeon E3-1505L v5

2015

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +8.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
  • βœ…Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads.
  • βœ…Draws 25W instead of 45W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • ❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-7300HQ can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1505L v5 better than Core i5-7300HQ?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1505L v5 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-7300HQ 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 E3-1505L v5 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.0% 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, Xeon E3-1505L v5 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon E3-1505L v5 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E3-1505L v5 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-7300HQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2015). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-7300HQ vs Xeon E3-1505L v5 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-7300HQ

The Core i5-7300HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake-H (2017) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,077 points. Launch price was $250.

Intel

Xeon E3-1505L v5

The Xeon E3-1505L v5 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-H (2015βˆ’2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 5,083 points. Launch price was $433.

⚑

Processing Power

The Core i5-7300HQ packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Xeon E3-1505L v5's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-7300HQ versus 2.8 GHz on the Xeon E3-1505L v5 β€” a 22.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-7300HQ (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i5-7300HQ uses the Kaby Lake-H (2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1505L v5 uses Skylake-H (2015βˆ’2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7300HQ scores 5,077 against the Xeon E3-1505L v5's 5,083 β€” a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E3-1505L v5. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-7300HQ vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1505L v5.

FeatureCore i5-7300HQXeon E3-1505L v5
Cores / Threads
4 / 4
4 / 8
Boost Clock
3.5 GHz+25%
2.8 GHz
Base Clock
2.5 GHz+25%
2 GHz
L3 Cache
6 MB (total)
8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
256 kB (per core)
Process
14 nm
14 nm
Architecture
Kaby Lake-H (2017)
Skylake-H (2015βˆ’2016)
PassMark
5,077
5,083
🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the BGA1440 socket with PCIe 3.0.

FeatureCore i5-7300HQXeon E3-1505L v5
Socket
BGA1440
BGA1440
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2400
β€”
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB
β€”
RAM Channels
2
β€”
ECC Support
No
β€”
PCIe Lanes
16
β€”
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-7300HQ) / not specified (Xeon E3-1505L v5). The Core i5-7300HQ includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E3-1505L v5 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7300HQ targets Mobile.

FeatureCore i5-7300HQXeon E3-1505L v5
Integrated GPU
Yes
β€”
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 630
β€”
Unlocked
No
β€”
AVX-512
No
β€”
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
β€”
Target Use
Mobile
β€”