Xeon E3-1281 v3 vs Core i5-1035G4

Xeon E3-1281 v3

4 Cores8 Thrd82 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2014

Core i5-1035G4

4 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2019

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Xeon E3-1281 v3

4 / 8

7,587

0.0%

7,658

+0.9%

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 E3-1281 v3 is positioned at rank 758 and the Core i5-1035G4 is on rank 791, so the Xeon E3-1281 v3 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 E3-1281 v3

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

15203%

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

2870%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

2550%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

1970%

#436

Xeon Gold 5218T

MSRP: $1572|Avg: $1349

100%

#437

Xeon 6960P

MSRP: $9625|Avg: $9625

99%

#438

EPYC 9555

MSRP: $9826|Avg: $7973

99%

#439

Xeon Gold 6338

MSRP: $2990|Avg: $1604

98%

#440

Xeon Gold 6538N

MSRP: $3351|Avg: $170

98%

#441

EPYC 7F52

MSRP: $3100|Avg: $1826

98%

#442

EPYC 7542

MSRP: $3400|Avg: $899

98%

#443

EPYC 9655

MSRP: $11852|Avg: $11852

96%

#444

Xeon 6781P

MSRP: $8960|Avg: $8960

96%

#445

Xeon Gold 6338N

MSRP: $3200|Avg: $3200

96%

#446

Xeon Gold 5117

MSRP: $1286|Avg: $300

96%

#758

Xeon E3-1281 v3

MSRP: $555|Avg: $636

100%

#768

Xeon E3-1270L v4

MSRP: $581|Avg: $636

96%

#771

Xeon E3-1545M v5

MSRP: $581|Avg: $636

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-1035G4

#779

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1184%

#780

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1167%

#781

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1071%

#782

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1066%

#783

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1056%

#785

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1020%

#786

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

978%

#787

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

977%

#788

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

950%

#791

Core i5-1035G4

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#795

Core i3-1115G4E

MSRP: $213|Avg: $47

99%

#797

Celeron M 900

MSRP: $86|Avg: $10

99%

#800

Celeron B815

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

98%

#801

Celeron B810

MSRP: $86|Avg: $86

98%

#803

Core i7-1365UE

MSRP: $429|Avg: $429

98%

#805

3020e

MSRP: $100|Avg: $25

97%

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 i5-1035G4 (2019) utilizes 10 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Xeon E3-1281 v3	Core i5-1035G4
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($636)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 22 nm)	✨ Modern (Ice Lake (Client) (2019) / 10 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon E3-1281 v3 (2014) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Xeon E3-1281 v3	Core i5-1035G4
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($636)	✅ 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.

Xeon E3-1281 v3 Benchmark Check

Core i5-1035G4 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E3-1281 v3 and Core i5-1035G4

Xeon E3-1281 v3

The Xeon E3-1281 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 82 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 7,587 points. Launch price was $800.

Core i5-1035G4

The Core i5-1035G4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 August 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Ice Lake (Client) (2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1526. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,658 points. Launch price was $320.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Xeon E3-1281 v3 and Core i5-1035G4 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Xeon E3-1281 v3 versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-1035G4 — a 10.3% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1281 v3 (base: 3.7 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i5-1035G4 is built on the Ice Lake (Client) (2019) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1281 v3 scores 7,587 against the Core i5-1035G4's 7,658 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-1035G4. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon E3-1281 v3 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-1035G4.

Feature	Xeon E3-1281 v3	Core i5-1035G4
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz+11%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+236%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB Intel® Smart Cache+33%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	—	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	10 nm-55%
Architecture	—	Ice Lake (Client) (2019)
PassMark	7,587	7,658
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	4,332
Geekbench 6 Single	—	922
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,919

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1281 v3 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-1035G4 uses FCBGA1526 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E3-1281 v3	Core i5-1035G4
Socket	LGA1150	FCBGA1526
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-3200, LPDDR4-3733
Max RAM Capacity	—	64 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E3-1281 v3) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-1035G4). The Core i5-1035G4 includes integrated graphics (Iris Plus Graphics G4), while the Xeon E3-1281 v3 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-1035G4 targets Ultra-portable laptops. Direct competitor: Core i5-1035G4 rivals Ryzen 5 3500U.