Core i5-8259U vs Xeon E3-1286 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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i5-8259U is positioned at rank 209 and the Xeon E3-1286 v3 is on rank 379, so the Core i5-8259U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-8259U

#57

Ryzen AI 9 365

MSRP: $400|Avg: $400

96%

#197

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

374%

#198

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

369%

#199

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

338%

#200

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

337%

#201

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

334%

#203

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

322%

#204

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

309%

#205

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

309%

#206

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

300%

#209

Core i5-8259U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1286 v3

#1

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

5275%

#2

Xeon W-11855M

MSRP: $450|Avg: $200

98%

#6

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

996%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

885%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

684%

#263

Xeon 6710E

MSRP: $1565|Avg: $344

100%

#264

Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X

MSRP: $399|Avg: $180

99%

#266

EPYC 7C13

MSRP: $2000|Avg: $2000

97%

#267

Xeon Gold 6336Y

MSRP: $3245|Avg: N/A

96%

#268

Xeon w5-2565X

MSRP: $1389|Avg: $1389

96%

#379

Xeon E3-1286 v3

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#388

Xeon E-2234

MSRP: $250|Avg: $136

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i5-8259U (2018) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i5-8259U	Xeon E3-1286 v3
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon E3-1286 v3 (2014) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i5-8259U	Xeon E3-1286 v3
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i5-8259U Benchmark Check

Xeon E3-1286 v3 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-8259U and Xeon E3-1286 v3

Core i5-8259U

The Core i5-8259U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 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: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,843 points. Launch price was $320.

Xeon E3-1286 v3

The Xeon E3-1286 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 84 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 7,879 points. Launch price was $800.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-8259U and Xeon E3-1286 v3 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-8259U versus 4.1 GHz on the Xeon E3-1286 v3 — a 7.6% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1286 v3 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i5-8259U is built on the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i5-8259U scores 7,843 against the Xeon E3-1286 v3's 7,879 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon E3-1286 v3. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-8259U vs 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon E3-1286 v3.

Feature	Core i5-8259U	Xeon E3-1286 v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4.1 GHz+8%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	3.7 GHz+61%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB Intel® Smart Cache+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	—
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)	—
PassMark	7,843	7,879

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8259U uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1286 v3 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.