Xeon E3-1280 v5 vs Core i3-N300

Xeon E3-1280 v5

4 Cores8 Thrd80 WWMax: 4 GHz2015

Core i3-N300

8 Cores8 Thrd0 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2023

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Xeon E3-1280 v5

4 / 8

8,254

0.0%

8,283

+0.4%

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 E3-1280 v5 is positioned at rank 354 and the Core i3-N300 is on rank 761, so the Xeon E3-1280 v5 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 E3-1280 v5

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

5036%

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

951%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

845%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

653%

#253

Xeon W-2150B

MSRP: $499|Avg: $400

99%

#255

Xeon 6517P

MSRP: $1195|Avg: $1195

99%

#257

Xeon W-1290

MSRP: $498|Avg: $300

98%

#354

Xeon E3-1280 v5

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#362

Xeon E5-2667 v2

MSRP: $300|Avg: $300

98%

#367

Xeon E5-1410

MSRP: $120|Avg: $55

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-N300

#749

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1094%

#750

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1078%

#751

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

990%

#752

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

985%

#753

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

976%

#755

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

943%

#756

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

904%

#757

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

903%

#758

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

878%

#761

Core i3-N300

MSRP: $309|Avg: $309

100%

#767

Core i7-1250U

MSRP: $426|Avg: N/A

99%

#772

Core i7-9750HF

MSRP: $395|Avg: $395

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 i3-N300 (2023) utilizes Intel 7 nm technology and DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800, LPDDR5-4800, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Xeon E3-1280 v5	Core i3-N300
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($309)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Skylake-S (2015) / 14 nm)	✨ Modern (Alder Lake-N (2023) / Intel 7 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon E3-1280 v5 (2015) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR3, DDR4, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Xeon E3-1280 v5	Core i3-N300
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($309)

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.

Xeon E3-1280 v5 Benchmark Check

Core i3-N300 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E3-1280 v5 and Core i3-N300

Xeon E3-1280 v5

The Xeon E3-1280 v5 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-S (2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 8,254 points. Launch price was $612.

Core i3-N300

The Core i3-N300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-N (2023) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 0.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per module). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): 7 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800, LPDDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 8,283 points. Launch price was $309.

⚡

Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1280 v5 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i3-N300 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core i3-N300 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Xeon E3-1280 v5 versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i3-N300 — a 5.1% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1280 v5 (base: 3.7 GHz vs 0.1 GHz). The Xeon E3-1280 v5 uses the Skylake-S (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-N300 uses Alder Lake-N (2023) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1280 v5 scores 8,254 against the Core i3-N300's 8,283 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i3-N300. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1280 v5 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-N300.

Feature	Xeon E3-1280 v5	Core i3-N300
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	8 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	4 GHz+5%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+3600%	0.1 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+33%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	2 MB (per module)+700%
Process	14 nm	Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture	Skylake-S (2015)	Alder Lake-N (2023)
PassMark	8,254	8,283

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1280 v5 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-N300 uses FCBGA1264 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.