Xeon E3-1270L v4 vs Core i5-8500T
Xeon E3-1270L v4
Core i5-8500T
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. The Xeon E3-1270L v4 is positioned at rank #768 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1270L v4
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-8500T
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E3-1270L v4 | Core i5-8500T |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($636) | ✅ More affordable ($149) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-DT (2015) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E3-1270L v4 | Core i5-8500T |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+331%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($636) | ✅ More affordable ($149) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E3-1270L v4 and Core i5-8500T
Xeon E3-1270L v4
The Xeon E3-1270L v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Broadwell-DT (2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600, DDR3L-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 7,662 points. Launch price was $800.
Core i5-8500T
The Core i5-8500T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,730 points. Launch price was $192.
Processing Power
The Xeon E3-1270L v4 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-8500T offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the Core i5-8500T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E3-1270L v4 versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-8500T — a 2.8% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1270L v4 (base: 3 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Xeon E3-1270L v4 uses the Broadwell-DT (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-8500T uses Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1270L v4 scores 7,662 against the Core i5-8500T's 7,730 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-8500T. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,289 vs 1,192, a 7.8% lead for the Xeon E3-1270L v4 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1270L v4 vs 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8500T.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1270L v4 | Core i5-8500T |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 6 / 6+50% |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz+3% | 3.5 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3 GHz+43% | 2.1 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 9 MB (total)+50% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Broadwell-DT (2015) | Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) |
| PassMark | 7,662 | 7,730 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,289+8% | 1,192 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 4,271 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E3-1270L v4 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-8500T uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1866 on the Xeon E3-1270L v4 versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-8500T — the Core i5-8500T supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-8500T supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: C226 (Xeon E3-1270L v4) and H310,B360,H370,Z370,Z390,B365 (Core i5-8500T).
| Feature | Xeon E3-1270L v4 | Core i5-8500T |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1150 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1866 | DDR4-2666+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 64 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E3-1270L v4) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-8500T). The Core i5-8500T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E3-1270L v4 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon E3-1270L v4 targets Workstation, Core i5-8500T targets Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Xeon E3-1270L v4 rivals Core i7-4790T; Core i5-8500T rivals Ryzen 3 2200G.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1270L v4 | Core i5-8500T |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | UHD Graphics 630 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Workstation | Low Power Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E3-1270L v4 launched at $581 MSRP, while the Core i5-8500T debuted at $192. At current prices ($636 vs $149), the Core i5-8500T is $487 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1270L v4 delivers 12.0 pts/$ vs 51.9 pts/$ for the Core i5-8500T — making the Core i5-8500T the 124.6% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1270L v4 | Core i5-8500T |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $581 | $192-67% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $636 | $149-77% |
| Performance per Dollar | 12.0 | 51.9+333% |
| Release Date | 2015 | 2018 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Xeon E3-1270L v4 and Core i5-8500T
