Xeon E3-1285 v6 vs Core i3-N305
Xeon E3-1285 v6
Core i3-N305
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 E3-1285 v6 is positioned at rank 455 and the Core i3-N305 is on rank 681, so the Xeon E3-1285 v6 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1285 v6
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-N305
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E3-1285 v6 | Core i3-N305 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($450) | ✅ More affordable ($309) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Kaby Lake-DT (2017) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-N (2023) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E3-1285 v6 | Core i3-N305 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+47%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($450) | ✅ More affordable ($309) |
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 v6 and Core i3-N305
Xeon E3-1285 v6
The Xeon E3-1285 v6 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 August 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake-DT (2017) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 79 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400, DDR3L-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 9,502 points. Launch price was $450.
Core i3-N305
The Core i3-N305 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): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 9,600 points. Launch price was $309.
Processing Power
The Xeon E3-1285 v6 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i3-N305 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core i3-N305 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1285 v6 versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i3-N305 — a 16.9% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1285 v6 (base: 4.1 GHz vs 0.1 GHz). The Xeon E3-1285 v6 uses the Kaby Lake-DT (2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-N305 uses Alder Lake-N (2023) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1285 v6 scores 9,502 against the Core i3-N305's 9,600 — a 1% lead for the Core i3-N305. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1285 v6 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-N305.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1285 v6 | Core i3-N305 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 8 / 8+100% |
| Boost Clock | 4.5 GHz+18% | 3.8 GHz |
| Base Clock | 4.1 GHz+4000% | 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 | Kaby Lake-DT (2017) | Alder Lake-N (2023) |
| PassMark | 9,502 | 9,600+1% |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E3-1285 v6 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i3-N305 uses FCBGA1264 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1285 v6 | Core i3-N305 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | FCBGA1264 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E3-1285 v6 launched at $450 MSRP, while the Core i3-N305 debuted at $309.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1285 v6 | Core i3-N305 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $450 | $309-31% |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $309 |
| Release Date | 2017 | 2023 |
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