Core i7-3820 vs Xeon E-2104G

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 i7-3820 vs Xeon E-2104G 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 i7-3820 vs Xeon E-2104G: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i7-3820

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +19.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,787 vs 5,858).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 20.2 vs 30.4 PassMark/$ ($286 MSRP vs $193 MSRP).
❌100% higher power demand at 130W vs 65W.

Xeon E-2104G

2018

Why buy it

✅+1.2% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $93 less on MSRP ($193 MSRP vs $286 MSRP).
✅Delivers 50.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 30.4 vs 20.2 PassMark/$ ($193 MSRP vs $286 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 130W, a 65W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-3820 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 10 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E-2104G better than Core i7-3820?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E-2104G makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-3820 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 E-2104G is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Xeon E-2104G is the better buy right now. Xeon E-2104G comes in $93 cheaper on MSRP at $193 MSRP versus $286 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-3820 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 19.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 50.0% better value on MSRP (30.4 vs 20.2 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Xeon E-2104G makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-3820 vs Xeon E-2104G Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-3820

The Core i7-3820 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Fevereiro 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 10240 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,787 points. Launch price was $400.

Xeon E-2104G

The Xeon E-2104G is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 July 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 5,858 points. Launch price was $193.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-3820 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Xeon E-2104G's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-3820 versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon E-2104G — a 17.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-3820 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i7-3820 uses the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E-2104G uses Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3820 scores 5,787 against the Xeon E-2104G's 5,858 — a 1.2% lead for the Xeon E-2104G. L3 cache: 10240 kB (total) on the Core i7-3820 vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E-2104G.

Feature	Core i7-3820	Xeon E-2104G
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+19%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+12%	3.2 GHz
L3 Cache	10240 kB (total)+25%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)	Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019)
PassMark	5,787	5,858+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	624	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3820 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E-2104G uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-3820	Xeon E-2104G
Socket	LGA2011	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	4	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	40	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-3820) / not specified (Xeon E-2104G). Primary use case: Core i7-3820 targets HEDT Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-3820 rivals FX-8350.

Feature	Core i7-3820	Xeon E-2104G
Integrated GPU	No	—
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	HEDT Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-3820 was priced at $286, while the Xeon E-2104G came in at $193. On launch pricing ($286 vs $193), Xeon E-2104G was $93 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-3820 delivers 20.2 pts/$ vs 30.4 pts/$ for the Xeon E-2104G — making the Xeon E-2104G the 40% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-3820	Xeon E-2104G
MSRP	$286	$193-33%
Performance per Dollar	20.2	30.4+50%
Release Date	2012	2018

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