N100 vs Xeon E3-1245

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.

N100 vs Xeon E3-1245 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.

N100 vs Xeon E3-1245: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

N100

2023

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 6W instead of 95W, a 89W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1264 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1155 and older memory support.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E3-1245 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E3-1245, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $128 MSRP, while Xeon E3-1245 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E3-1245

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,346 vs 5,355).
❌1483.3% higher power demand at 95W vs 6W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1155, while N100 moves to FCBGA1264 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is N100 better than Xeon E3-1245?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1245 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while N100 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, N100 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

N100 is the better buy right now. N100 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $128 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E3-1245 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 13.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (41.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

N100 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2011), a healthier platform with FCBGA1264 and DDR5 instead of LGA1155, and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

N100 vs Xeon E3-1245 Technical Specifications

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

N100

The N100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2023 (2 years ago). It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800, LPDDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 5,355 points. Launch price was $149.

Xeon E3-1245

The Xeon E3-1245 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 April 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,346 points. Launch price was $350.

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Processing Power

The N100 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Xeon E3-1245's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the N100 versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon E3-1245 — a 8.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1245. The Xeon E3-1245 is built on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. In PassMark, the N100 scores 5,355 against the Xeon E3-1245's 5,346 — a 0.2% lead for the N100. L3 cache: 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the N100 vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1245.

Feature	N100	Xeon E3-1245
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	3.7 GHz+9%
Base Clock	—	3.3 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB Intel® Smart Cache	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	—	256 kB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-78%	32 nm
Architecture	—	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	5,355	5,346

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Memory & Platform

The N100 uses the FCBGA1264 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E3-1245 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.