Core i5-7640X vs Xeon E3-1231 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 i5-7640X vs Xeon E3-1231 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 i5-7640X vs Xeon E3-1231 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 i5-7640X

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E3-1231 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E3-1231 v3, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $249 MSRP, while Xeon E3-1231 v3 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌40% higher power demand at 112W vs 80W.

Xeon E3-1231 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.8% 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.
✅Draws 80W instead of 112W, a 32W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,031 vs 7,060).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-7640X better than Xeon E3-1231 v3?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1231 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-7640X 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 i5-7640X 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 i5-7640X is the better buy right now. Core i5-7640X comes in at an unclear MSRP at $249 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E3-1231 v3 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (28.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-7640X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2014) 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 i5-7640X vs Xeon E3-1231 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-7640X

The Core i5-7640X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake-X (2017) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 112 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 7,060 points. Launch price was $242.

Xeon E3-1231 v3

The Xeon E3-1231 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 7,031 points. Launch price was $240.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-7640X packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Xeon E3-1231 v3's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i5-7640X versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E3-1231 v3 — a 10% clock advantage for the Core i5-7640X (base: 4 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i5-7640X uses the Kaby Lake-X (2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1231 v3 uses Haswell-WS (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7640X scores 7,060 against the Xeon E3-1231 v3's 7,031 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-7640X. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-7640X vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1231 v3.

Feature	Core i5-7640X	Xeon E3-1231 v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+11%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	4 GHz+18%	3.4 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake-X (2017)	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)
PassMark	7,060	7,031
Cinebench R23 Multi	3,726	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,419	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,726	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-7640X uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1231 v3 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.