Xeon E5-1603 vs Core i3-7100H

Xeon E5-1603

4 Cores4 Thrd130 WW2012

Core i3-7100H

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2017

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Xeon E5-1603

4 / 4

3,482

+0.9%

3,450

0.0%

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 E5-1603 is positioned at rank 655 and the Core i3-7100H is on rank 522, so the Core i3-7100H 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 E5-1603

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

11937%

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

2254%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

2002%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

1547%

#386

Xeon w9-3475X

MSRP: $3739|Avg: $3930

100%

#388

EPYC 9254

MSRP: $3761|Avg: $1099

98%

#389

Xeon Gold 5220R

MSRP: $1780|Avg: $1015

98%

#390

EPYC 9555P

MSRP: $7983|Avg: $6130

97%

#391

Xeon Gold 5218

MSRP: $1273|Avg: $500

97%

#392

EPYC 9374F

MSRP: $4850|Avg: $3466

97%

#393

Xeon Gold 6448Y

MSRP: $3583|Avg: N/A

97%

#394

EPYC 9454

MSRP: $5225|Avg: $576

97%

#655

Xeon E5-1603

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#669

Xeon E5645

MSRP: $294|Avg: N/A

97%

#670

Xeon X5672

MSRP: $300|Avg: $44

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-7100H

#167

Core Ultra 7 258V

MSRP: $450|Avg: $400

98%

#510

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

680%

#511

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

670%

#512

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

615%

#513

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

613%

#514

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

607%

#516

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

586%

#517

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

562%

#518

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

561%

#519

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

546%

#522

Core i3-7100H

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

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 i3-7100H (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Xeon E5-1603	Core i3-7100H
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 32 nm)	✨ Modern (Kaby Lake-H (2017) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon E5-1603 (2012) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3-800, DDR3-1066, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Xeon E5-1603	Core i3-7100H
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

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 E5-1603 Benchmark Check

Core i3-7100H Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E5-1603 and Core i3-7100H

Xeon E5-1603

The Xeon E5-1603 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency: 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 3,482 points. Launch price was $800.

Core i3-7100H

The Core i3-7100H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake-H (2017) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,450 points. Launch price was $393.

⚡

Processing Power

The Xeon E5-1603 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-7100H offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon E5-1603 has 2 more cores. The Core i3-7100H is built on the Kaby Lake-H (2017) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E5-1603 scores 3,482 against the Core i3-7100H's 3,450 — a 0.9% lead for the Xeon E5-1603. L3 cache: 10 MB on the Xeon E5-1603 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-7100H.

Feature	Xeon E5-1603	Core i3-7100H
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	—	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz	3 GHz+7%
L3 Cache	10 MB+233%	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	—	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	—	Kaby Lake-H (2017)
PassMark	3,482	3,450
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,011

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-1603 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-7100H uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E5-1603	Core i3-7100H
Socket	LGA2011	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	—	64 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E5-1603) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-7100H). The Core i3-7100H includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E5-1603 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7100H targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-7100H rivals Ryzen 3 2300U.