
Xeon E3-1285 v4 vs Core i5-8500T

Xeon E3-1285 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 E3-1285 v4 is positioned at rank #748 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 E3-1285 v4
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-8500T
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E3-1285 v4 | Core i5-8500T |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($200) | ✅ More affordable ($149) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-DT (2015) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E3-1285 v4 | Core i5-8500T |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+34%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($200) | ✅ 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 E3-1285 v4 and Core i5-8500T

Xeon E3-1285 v4
The Xeon E3-1285 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 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,735 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 E3-1285 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 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E3-1285 v4 versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-8500T — a 8.2% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1285 v4 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Xeon E3-1285 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 E3-1285 v4 scores 7,735 against the Core i5-8500T's 7,730 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E3-1285 v4. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1285 v4 vs 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8500T.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1285 v4 | Core i5-8500T |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 6 / 6+50% |
| Boost Clock | 3.8 GHz+9% | 3.5 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.5 GHz+67% | 2.1 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 9 MB (total)+50% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Broadwell-DT (2015) | Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) |
| PassMark | 7,735 | 7,730 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 1,192 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E3-1285 v4 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-8500T uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1285 v4 | Core i5-8500T |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1150 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+67% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR4-2666 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E3-1285 v4) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-8500T). The Core i5-8500T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E3-1285 v4 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8500T targets Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-8500T rivals Ryzen 3 2200G.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1285 v4 | Core i5-8500T |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | UHD Graphics 630 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | — | Low Power Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E3-1285 v4 launched at $556 MSRP, while the Core i5-8500T debuted at $192. At current prices ($200 vs $149), the Core i5-8500T is $51 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1285 v4 delivers 38.7 pts/$ vs 51.9 pts/$ for the Core i5-8500T — making the Core i5-8500T the 29.2% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1285 v4 | Core i5-8500T |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $556 | $192-65% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $200 | $149-26% |
| Performance per Dollar | 38.7 | 51.9+34% |
| Release Date | 2015 | 2018 |
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