Core i5-8279U vs Xeon E3-1276 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 i5-8279U is positioned at rank 596 and the Xeon E3-1276 v3 is on rank 416, so the Xeon E3-1276 v3 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 i5-8279U

#184

Core Ultra 7 266V

MSRP: $520|Avg: $520

99%

#185

Ryzen 7 5825C

MSRP: $400|Avg: $400

98%

#584

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

786%

#585

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

775%

#586

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

711%

#587

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

708%

#588

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

701%

#590

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

677%

#591

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

650%

#592

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

648%

#593

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

631%

#596

Core i5-8279U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#608

Ryzen AI 5 330

MSRP: $350|Avg: $350

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1276 v3

#1

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

5869%

#3

Xeon W-11955M

MSRP: $623|Avg: $450

98%

#6

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

1108%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

985%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

761%

#278

Xeon Gold 5416S

MSRP: $1445|Avg: N/A

99%

#279

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

MSRP: $1149|Avg: $1130

98%

#281

EPYC 7402P

MSRP: $1280|Avg: $1090

97%

#416

Xeon E3-1276 v3

MSRP: $213|Avg: $244

100%

#425

Xeon E5-4620 v2

MSRP: $273|Avg: $30

97%

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 i5-8279U (2019) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i5-8279U	Xeon E3-1276 v3
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($244)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon E3-1276 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 i5-8279U	Xeon E3-1276 v3
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($244)

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 i5-8279U Benchmark Check

Xeon E3-1276 v3 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-8279U and Xeon E3-1276 v3

Core i5-8279U

The Core i5-8279U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 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: 7,464 points. Launch price was $320.

Xeon E3-1276 v3

The Xeon E3-1276 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4 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: 7,543 points. Launch price was $800.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-8279U and Xeon E3-1276 v3 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-8279U versus 4 GHz on the Xeon E3-1276 v3 — a 2.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-8279U (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-8279U is built on the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i5-8279U scores 7,464 against the Xeon E3-1276 v3's 7,543 — a 1.1% lead for the Xeon E3-1276 v3. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-8279U vs 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon E3-1276 v3.

Feature	Core i5-8279U	Xeon E3-1276 v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz+2%	4 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	3.6 GHz+50%
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	7,464	7,543+1%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8279U uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1276 v3 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.