Core i7-10700T vs Xeon E5-2685 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 i7-10700T vs Xeon E5-2685 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 i7-10700T vs Xeon E5-2685 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 i7-10700T

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $1,735 less on MSRP ($355 MSRP vs $2,090 MSRP).
✅Delivers 486.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 36.3 vs 6.2 PassMark/$ ($355 MSRP vs $2,090 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 120W, a 85W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (12,891 vs 12,944).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 30 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2685 v3, which brings 12 cores / 12 threads.

Xeon E5-2685 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 12 cores / 12 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-10700T across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.2 vs 36.3 PassMark/$ ($2,090 MSRP vs $355 MSRP).
❌242.9% higher power demand at 120W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-10700T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-10700T better than Xeon E5-2685 v3?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2685 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-10700T 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, Xeon E5-2685 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 87.5% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 16 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i7-10700T is the better buy right now. Core i7-10700T comes in $1,735 cheaper on MSRP at $355 MSRP versus $2,090 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2685 v3 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.4% better PassMark. It is also 486.3% better value on MSRP (36.3 vs 6.2 PassMark/$), 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 i7-10700T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2014). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-10700T vs Xeon E5-2685 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-10700T

The Core i7-10700T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2020 (5 years ago). It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 12,891 points. Launch price was $149.

Xeon E5-2685 v3

The Xeon E5-2685 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 12 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 12,944 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-10700T packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E5-2685 v3 offers 12 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2685 v3 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-10700T versus 3.3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2685 v3 — a 30.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-10700T (base: 2 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Xeon E5-2685 v3 is built on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i7-10700T scores 12,891 against the Xeon E5-2685 v3's 12,944 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon E5-2685 v3. L3 cache: 16 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core i7-10700T vs 30 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2685 v3.

Feature	Core i7-10700T	Xeon E5-2685 v3
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	12 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz+36%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	2 GHz	2.6 GHz+30%
L3 Cache	16 MB Intel® Smart Cache	30 MB (total)+88%
L2 Cache	—	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	—	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	12,891	12,944
Geekbench 6 Single	1,531	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	6,814	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-10700T uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2685 v3 uses LGA2011-3 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-10700T	Xeon E5-2685 v3
Socket	LGA1200	LGA2011-3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2933	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-10700T) / not specified (Xeon E5-2685 v3). The Core i7-10700T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E5-2685 v3 requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i7-10700T	Xeon E5-2685 v3
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-10700T was priced at $355, while the Xeon E5-2685 v3 came in at $2090. On launch pricing ($355 vs $2090), Core i7-10700T was $1735 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-10700T delivers 36.3 pts/$ vs 6.2 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2685 v3 — making the Core i7-10700T the 141.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-10700T	Xeon E5-2685 v3
MSRP	$355-83%	$2090
Performance per Dollar	36.3+485%	6.2
Release Date	2020	2014

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