Core i5-7500T vs Xeon E3-1220 v3

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 i5-7500T vs Xeon E3-1220 v3 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 i5-7500T vs Xeon E3-1220 v3: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-7500T

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $1 less on MSRP ($202 MSRP vs $203 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 80W, a 45W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 630, while Xeon E3-1220 v3 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Xeon E3-1220 v3

2013

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-7500T across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,178 vs 5,215).
❌
0.5% HIGHER MSRP
$203 MSRPvs$202 MSRP
❌128.6% higher power demand at 80W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-7500T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-7500T better than Xeon E3-1220 v3?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1220 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-7500T 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 i5-7500T is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.8% 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 i5-7500T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-7500T is the better buy right now. Core i5-7500T comes in $1 cheaper on MSRP at $202 MSRP versus $203 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 1.2% better value on MSRP (25.8 vs 25.5 PassMark/$), 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 i5-7500T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-7500T vs Xeon E3-1220 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-7500T

The Core i5-7500T 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 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,215 points. Launch price was $202.

Xeon E3-1220 v3

The Xeon E3-1220 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,178 points. Launch price was $239.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-7500T and Xeon E3-1220 v3 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-7500T versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220 v3 — a 5.9% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1220 v3 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i5-7500T uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1220 v3 uses Haswell-WS (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7500T scores 5,215 against the Xeon E3-1220 v3's 5,178 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i5-7500T. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-7500T vs 8192 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1220 v3.

Feature	Core i5-7500T	Xeon E3-1220 v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz	3.5 GHz+6%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	3.1 GHz+15%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8192 kB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)
PassMark	5,215	5,178
Geekbench 6 Single	1,100	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,023	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-7500T uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1220 v3 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-7500T	Xeon E3-1220 v3
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1150
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, EPT (Core i5-7500T) / not specified (Xeon E3-1220 v3). The Core i5-7500T includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E3-1220 v3 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7500T targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-7500T rivals Ryzen 3 1200.

Feature	Core i5-7500T	Xeon E3-1220 v3
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Gaming	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-7500T was priced at $202, while the Xeon E3-1220 v3 came in at $203. On launch pricing ($202 vs $203), Core i5-7500T was $1 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-7500T delivers 25.8 pts/$ vs 25.5 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1220 v3 — making the Core i5-7500T the 1.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-7500T	Xeon E3-1220 v3
MSRP	$202	$203
Performance per Dollar	25.8+1%	25.5
Release Date	2017	2013

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