Core i7-8665UE vs Xeon E5-1607 v3

Intel

Core i7-8665UE

4 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2018
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Xeon E5-1607 v3

4 Cores4 Thrd140 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2014
Similar parts
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Core i7-8665UE vs Xeon E5-1607 v3 Performance Spectrum

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.

Core i7-8665UE vs Xeon E5-1607 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 i7-8665UE vs Xeon E5-1607 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 i7-8665UE

2018

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +7.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 15W instead of 140W, a 125W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 620, while Xeon E5-1607 v3 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (4,852 vs 4,932).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 10 MB).
  • Launch MSRP is still $409 MSRP, while Xeon E5-1607 v3 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-1607 v3

2014

Why buy it

  • +1.6% higher PassMark.
  • +25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8665UE across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • 833.3% higher power demand at 140W vs 15W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i7-8665UE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-8665UE better than Xeon E5-1607 v3?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1607 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-8665UE 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 E5-1607 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i7-8665UE is the better buy right now. Core i7-8665UE comes in at an unclear MSRP at $409 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-1607 v3 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.6% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (11.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-8665UE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2014). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-8665UE vs Xeon E5-1607 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i7-8665UE

The Core i7-8665UE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,852 points. Launch price was $409.

Intel

Xeon E5-1607 v3

The Xeon E5-1607 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1333, DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 4,932 points. Launch price was $800.

Processing Power

The Core i7-8665UE packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Xeon E5-1607 v3's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i7-8665UE versus 3.1 GHz on the Xeon E5-1607 v3 — a 34.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-8665UE (base: 1.7 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i7-8665UE uses the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-1607 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-8665UE scores 4,852 against the Xeon E5-1607 v3's 4,932 — a 1.6% lead for the Xeon E5-1607 v3. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-8665UE vs 10 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1607 v3.

FeatureCore i7-8665UEXeon E5-1607 v3
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
4 / 4
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz+42%
3.1 GHz
Base Clock
1.7 GHz
3.1 GHz+82%
L3 Cache
8 MB (total)
10 MB (total)+25%
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
256K (per core)
Process
14 nm-36%
22 nm
Architecture
Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019)
Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark
4,852
4,932+2%
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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-8665UE uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1607 v3 uses LGA2011-3 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i7-8665UEXeon E5-1607 v3
Socket
FCBGA1528
LGA2011-3
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
16
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-8665UE) / not specified (Xeon E5-1607 v3). The Core i7-8665UE includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 620), while the Xeon E5-1607 v3 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-8665UE targets Embedded.

FeatureCore i7-8665UEXeon E5-1607 v3
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 620
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Embedded