Core i5-7500 vs Xeon E3-1290 v2

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 i5-7500 vs Xeon E3-1290 v2 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 i5-7500 vs Xeon E3-1290 v2: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-7500

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $686 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $885 MSRP).
✅Delivers 345.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 32.0 vs 7.2 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $885 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 87W, a 22W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E3-1290 v2 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E3-1290 v2, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads.

Xeon E3-1290 v2

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +15.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,354 vs 6,362).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.2 vs 32.0 PassMark/$ ($885 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
❌33.8% higher power demand at 87W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-7500 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-7500 better than Xeon E3-1290 v2?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1290 v2 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-7500 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 i5-7500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-7500 is the better buy right now. Core i5-7500 comes in $686 cheaper on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $885 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E3-1290 v2 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 15.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 345.3% better value on MSRP (32.0 vs 7.2 PassMark/$), 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 i5-7500 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2012) 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 i5-7500 vs Xeon E3-1290 v2 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-7500

The Core i5-7500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,362 points. Launch price was $202.

Xeon E3-1290 v2

The Xeon E3-1290 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 87 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,354 points. Launch price was $885.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-7500 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Xeon E3-1290 v2's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-7500 versus 4.1 GHz on the Xeon E3-1290 v2 — a 7.6% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1290 v2 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i5-7500 uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1290 v2 uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7500 scores 6,362 against the Xeon E3-1290 v2's 6,354 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-7500. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-7500 vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1290 v2.

Feature	Core i5-7500	Xeon E3-1290 v2
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4.1 GHz+8%
Base Clock	3.4 GHz	3.7 GHz+9%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	6,362	6,354

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-7500 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1290 v2 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-7500	Xeon E3-1290 v2
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
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 (Core i5-7500) / not specified (Xeon E3-1290 v2). The Core i5-7500 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E3-1290 v2 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7500 targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i5-7500	Xeon E3-1290 v2
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-7500 was priced at $199, while the Xeon E3-1290 v2 came in at $885. On launch pricing ($199 vs $885), Core i5-7500 was $686 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-7500 delivers 32.0 pts/$ vs 7.2 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1290 v2 — making the Core i5-7500 the 126.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-7500	Xeon E3-1290 v2
MSRP	$199-78%	$885
Performance per Dollar	32.0+344%	7.2
Release Date	2017	2012

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