Core i5-9300HF vs Xeon E3-1280 v3

Core i5-9300HF

4 Cores8 Thrd1 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2019

Xeon E3-1280 v3

4 Cores8 Thrd82 WWMax: 4 GHz2013

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-9300HF

4 / 8

7,255

0.0%

7,252

0.0%

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. The Core i5-9300HF is positioned at rank 465 and the Xeon E3-1280 v3 is on rank 496, so the Core i5-9300HF 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 i5-9300HF

#144

Core i7-12650H

MSRP: $457|Avg: N/A

98%

#453

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

607%

#454

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

598%

#455

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

549%

#456

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

546%

#457

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

541%

#459

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

523%

#460

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

501%

#461

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

500%

#462

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

487%

#465

Core i5-9300HF

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#472

Ryzen Embedded R1505G

MSRP: $80|Avg: $80

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1280 v3

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

7164%

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

1353%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

1202%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

928%

#309

Xeon W-2255

MSRP: $778|Avg: $350

100%

#310

Xeon Silver 4316

MSRP: $1126|Avg: $1200

100%

#311

Xeon w7-3545

MSRP: $2039|Avg: $2039

99%

#312

EPYC 7643P

MSRP: $2722|Avg: $2722

98%

#313

Xeon w5-3435X

MSRP: $1589|Avg: $163

98%

#314

Xeon Gold 6312U

MSRP: $1645|Avg: N/A

98%

#496

Xeon E3-1280 v3

MSRP: $250|Avg: $44

100%

#497

Xeon W-2123

MSRP: $294|Avg: $342

100%

#500

Xeon E3-1230 v2

MSRP: $215|Avg: $268

99%

#505

Xeon D-1521

MSRP: $199|Avg: $241

99%

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 i5-9300HF (2019) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i5-9300HF	Xeon E3-1280 v3
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($44)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Haswell-WS (2013−2014) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon E3-1280 v3 (2013) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3, DDR4, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i5-9300HF	Xeon E3-1280 v3
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($44)

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 i5-9300HF Benchmark Check

Xeon E3-1280 v3 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-9300HF and Xeon E3-1280 v3

Core i5-9300HF

The Core i5-9300HF is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-H (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: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,255 points. Launch price was $250.

Xeon E3-1280 v3

The Xeon E3-1280 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 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 82 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,252 points. Launch price was $800.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-9300HF and Xeon E3-1280 v3 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-9300HF versus 4 GHz on the Xeon E3-1280 v3 — a 2.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-9300HF (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-9300HF uses the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1280 v3 uses Haswell-WS (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-9300HF scores 7,255 against the Xeon E3-1280 v3's 7,252 — a 0% lead for the Core i5-9300HF. L3 cache: 8 MB on the Core i5-9300HF vs 8192 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1280 v3.

Feature	Core i5-9300HF	Xeon E3-1280 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	8 MB	8192 kB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019)	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)
PassMark	7,255	7,252
Geekbench 6 Single	1,288	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-9300HF uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1280 v3 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-9300HF	Xeon E3-1280 v3
Socket	BGA1440	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-9300HF) / not specified (Xeon E3-1280 v3). Primary use case: Core i5-9300HF targets Gaming Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-9300HF rivals Ryzen 5 3550H.