Processor 300 vs Xeon E3-1280 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.

Processor 300 vs Xeon E3-1280 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.

Processor 300 vs Xeon E3-1280 v3: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Processor 300

2024

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $168 less on MSRP ($82 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
✅Delivers 205.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 88.6 vs 29.0 PassMark/$ ($82 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
✅Draws 46W instead of 82W, a 36W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1150 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E3-1280 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E3-1280 v3, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads.

Xeon E3-1280 v3

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.9% 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 (7,252 vs 7,264).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 29.0 vs 88.6 PassMark/$ ($250 MSRP vs $82 MSRP).
❌78.3% higher power demand at 82W vs 46W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1150 with DDR4, while Processor 300 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Processor 300 better than Xeon E3-1280 v3?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1280 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Processor 300 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, Processor 300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Processor 300 is the better buy right now. Processor 300 comes in $168 cheaper on MSRP at $82 MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E3-1280 v3 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 12.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 205.4% better value on MSRP (88.6 vs 29.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Processor 300 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2013), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1150, and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Processor 300 vs Xeon E3-1280 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Processor 300

The Processor 300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 46 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 7,264 points. Launch price was $82.

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.

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Processing Power

The Processor 300 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E3-1280 v3 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Xeon E3-1280 v3 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Processor 300 versus 4 GHz on the Xeon E3-1280 v3 — a 2.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1280 v3 (base: 3.9 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Processor 300 uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon E3-1280 v3 uses Haswell-WS (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Processor 300 scores 7,264 against the Xeon E3-1280 v3's 7,252 — a 0.2% lead for the Processor 300. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Processor 300 vs 8192 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1280 v3.

Feature	Processor 300	Xeon E3-1280 v3
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	4 GHz+3%
Base Clock	3.9 GHz+8%	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8192 kB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+400%	256 kB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-68%	22 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)
PassMark	7,264	7,252

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Memory & Platform

The Processor 300 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E3-1280 v3 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Processor 300	Xeon E3-1280 v3
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Processor 300 was priced at $82, while the Xeon E3-1280 v3 came in at $250. On launch pricing ($82 vs $250), Processor 300 was $168 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Processor 300 delivers 88.6 pts/$ vs 29.0 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1280 v3 — making the Processor 300 the 101.3% better value option.

Feature	Processor 300	Xeon E3-1280 v3
MSRP	$82-67%	$250
Performance per Dollar	88.6+206%	29.0
Release Date	2024	2013

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