Xeon E3-1271 v3
VS
Core i5-8279U

Xeon E3-1271 v3 vs Core i5-8279U

Intel

Xeon E3-1271 v3

4 Cores8 Thrd80 WWMax: 4 GHz2014
VS
Intel

Core i5-8279U

4 Cores8 Thrd28 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2019

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. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Xeon E3-1271 v3 is positioned at rank 862 and the Core i5-8279U is on rank 596, so the Core i5-8279U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1271 v3

#1
Xeon Platinum 8454H
MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A
20138%
#6
Xeon Gold 6240R
MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A
3802%
#10
Xeon 6337P
MSRP: $60|Avg: $5
3378%
#15
EPYC 9174F
MSRP: $194|Avg: $30
2610%
#485
Xeon Gold 6258R
MSRP: $3950|Avg: $1400
99%
#486
EPYC 9175F
MSRP: $4256|Avg: $3703
99%
#488
EPYC 9534
MSRP: $8803|Avg: $2999
98%
#489
EPYC 9654
MSRP: $11805|Avg: $5345
98%
#490
EPYC 7H12
MSRP: $6950|Avg: $1340
97%
#491
EPYC 7742
MSRP: $6950|Avg: $800
97%
#492
Xeon Platinum 8352M
MSRP: $4471|Avg: $4471
96%
#493
Xeon Platinum 8570
MSRP: $9595|Avg: $9595
95%
#862
Xeon E3-1271 v3
MSRP: $727|Avg: $831
100%
#863
Xeon E5603
MSRP: $188|Avg: N/A
100%
#871
Xeon 6315P
MSRP: $1166|Avg: $160
97%
#877
Xeon X5687
MSRP: $552|Avg: $189
95%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-8279U

#184
Core Ultra 7 266V
MSRP: $520|Avg: $520
99%
#185
Ryzen 7 5825C
MSRP: $400|Avg: $400
98%
#584
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
786%
#585
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
775%
#586
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
711%
#587
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
708%
#588
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
701%
#590
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
677%
#591
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
650%
#592
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
648%
#593
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
631%
#596
Core i5-8279U
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#608
Ryzen AI 5 330
MSRP: $350|Avg: $350
98%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i5-8279U (2019) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightXeon E3-1271 v3Core i5-8279U
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($831)
More affordable ($0)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 22 nm)
✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon E3-1271 v3 (2014) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightXeon E3-1271 v3Core i5-8279U
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($831)
More affordable ($0)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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 E3-1271 v3 and Core i5-8279U

Intel

Xeon E3-1271 v3

The Xeon E3-1271 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 7,504 points. Launch price was $800.

Intel

Core i5-8279U

The Core i5-8279U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,464 points. Launch price was $320.

Processing Power

Both the Xeon E3-1271 v3 and Core i5-8279U share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Xeon E3-1271 v3 versus 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-8279U — a 2.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-8279U (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i5-8279U is built on the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1271 v3 scores 7,504 against the Core i5-8279U's 7,464 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon E3-1271 v3. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon E3-1271 v3 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-8279U.

FeatureXeon E3-1271 v3Core i5-8279U
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
4 / 8
Boost Clock
4 GHz
4.1 GHz+2%
Base Clock
3.6 GHz+50%
2.4 GHz
L3 Cache
8 MB Intel® Smart Cache+33%
6 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
Process
22 nm
14 nm-36%
Architecture
Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)
PassMark
7,504
7,464
Geekbench 6 Single
1,308
Geekbench 6 Multi
4,328
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1271 v3 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-8279U uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureXeon E3-1271 v3Core i5-8279U
Socket
LGA1150
FCBGA1528
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon E3-1271 v3) / not specified (Core i5-8279U). Primary use case: Xeon E3-1271 v3 targets Server. Direct competitor: Xeon E3-1271 v3 rivals Core i7-4770.

FeatureXeon E3-1271 v3Core i5-8279U
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Server