Xeon E3-1290 vs Processor N97
Xeon E3-1290
Processor N97
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 E3-1290 is positioned at rank #525 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 E3-1290
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E3-1290 | Processor N97 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-N (2023) / 10 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E3-1290 | Processor N97 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 E3-1290 and Processor N97
Xeon E3-1290
The Xeon E3-1290 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 May 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,429 points. Launch price was $885.
Processor N97
The Processor N97 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 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): + 6 MB. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 4800 MHz Single-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 5,445 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Xeon E3-1290 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Processor N97's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Xeon E3-1290 versus 3.6 GHz on the Processor N97 — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1290 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Xeon E3-1290 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Processor N97 uses Alder Lake-N (2023) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1290 scores 5,429 against the Processor N97's 5,445 — a 0.3% lead for the Processor N97. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1290 vs 6 MB (total) on the Processor N97.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1290 | Processor N97 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 4 GHz+11% | 3.6 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.6 GHz+80% | 2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total)+33% | 6 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 2 MB (total)+700% |
| Process | 32 nm | 10 nm-69% |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Alder Lake-N (2023) |
| PassMark | 5,429 | 5,445 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E3-1290 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Processor N97 uses FCBGA1264 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1290 | Processor N97 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | FCBGA1264 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 5.0+150% |
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