Core i5-8500T vs Xeon E3-1270L v4
Core i5-8500T
Xeon E3-1270L v4
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-8500T
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1270L v4
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-8500T | Xeon E3-1270L v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($149) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($636) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-DT (2015) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-8500T | Xeon E3-1270L v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+331%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($149) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($636) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-8500T and Xeon E3-1270L v4
Core i5-8500T
The Core i5-8500T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,730 points. Launch price was $192.
Xeon E3-1270L v4
The Xeon E3-1270L v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Broadwell-DT (2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600, DDR3L-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 7,662 points. Launch price was $800.
Processing Power
The Core i5-8500T packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Xeon E3-1270L v4 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-8500T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-8500T versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E3-1270L v4 — a 2.8% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1270L v4 (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-8500T uses the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1270L v4 uses Broadwell-DT (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8500T scores 7,730 against the Xeon E3-1270L v4's 7,662 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-8500T. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,192 vs 1,289, a 7.8% lead for the Xeon E3-1270L v4 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8500T vs 6 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1270L v4.
| Feature | Core i5-8500T | Xeon E3-1270L v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 6+50% | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.5 GHz | 3.6 GHz+3% |
| Base Clock | 2.1 GHz | 3 GHz+43% |
| L3 Cache | 9 MB (total)+50% | 6 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) | Broadwell-DT (2015) |
| PassMark | 7,730 | 7,662 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,192 | 1,289+8% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 4,271 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-8500T uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1270L v4 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-8500T versus DDR3-1866 on the Xeon E3-1270L v4 — the Core i5-8500T supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-8500T supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H310,B360,H370,Z370,Z390,B365 (Core i5-8500T) and C226 (Xeon E3-1270L v4).
| Feature | Core i5-8500T | Xeon E3-1270L v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA1150 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2666+33% | DDR3-1866 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB+100% | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-8500T) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E3-1270L v4). The Core i5-8500T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E3-1270L v4 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8500T targets Low Power Desktop, Xeon E3-1270L v4 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i5-8500T rivals Ryzen 3 2200G; Xeon E3-1270L v4 rivals Core i7-4790T.
| Feature | Core i5-8500T | Xeon E3-1270L v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | UHD Graphics 630 | — |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Low Power Desktop | Workstation |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-8500T launched at $192 MSRP, while the Xeon E3-1270L v4 debuted at $581. At current prices ($149 vs $636), the Core i5-8500T is $487 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-8500T delivers 51.9 pts/$ vs 12.0 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1270L v4 — making the Core i5-8500T the 124.6% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-8500T | Xeon E3-1270L v4 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $192-67% | $581 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $149-77% | $636 |
| Performance per Dollar | 51.9+333% | 12.0 |
| Release Date | 2018 | 2015 |
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