Xeon E5-2470 vs Core i3-N300

Xeon E5-2470

8 Cores16 Thrd95 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2012

Core i3-N300

8 Cores8 Thrd0 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2023

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Xeon E5-2470

8 / 16

8,329

+0.6%

8,283

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 E5-2470 is positioned at rank 973 and the Core i3-N300 is on rank 761, so the Core i3-N300 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 E5-2470

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

35956%

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

6789%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

6031%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

4660%

#535

Xeon W-3245M

MSRP: $5002|Avg: $5002

99%

#536

Xeon W-3265M

MSRP: $6300|Avg: $3500

98%

#973

Xeon E5-2470

MSRP: $1440|Avg: $125

100%

#974

Xeon E5-2670

MSRP: $1552|Avg: $60

99%

#976

Xeon X3470

MSRP: $589|Avg: $16

98%

#979

Xeon E5-2689

MSRP: $1800|Avg: $18

95%

#980

Xeon E5-2450L

MSRP: $1106|Avg: $78

95%

#981

Xeon X3480

MSRP: $612|Avg: $48

94%

#982

Xeon E5-2687W

MSRP: $1885|Avg: $70

92%

#983

Xeon E5-4610

MSRP: $1219|Avg: $50

92%

#985

Xeon X7550

MSRP: $1500|Avg: $1400

91%

#986

Xeon E7540

MSRP: $1980|Avg: $146

91%

#987

Xeon E7530

MSRP: $1391|Avg: $146

90%

#988

Xeon E5-4627 v4

MSRP: $2500|Avg: $200

90%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-N300

#749

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1094%

#750

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1078%

#751

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

990%

#752

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

985%

#753

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

976%

#755

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

943%

#756

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

904%

#757

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

903%

#758

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

878%

#761

Core i3-N300

MSRP: $309|Avg: $309

100%

#767

Core i7-1250U

MSRP: $426|Avg: N/A

99%

#772

Core i7-9750HF

MSRP: $395|Avg: $395

98%

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-N300 (2023) utilizes Intel 7 nm technology and DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800, LPDDR5-4800, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Xeon E5-2470	Core i3-N300
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($125)	⚠️ Higher cost ($309)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) / 32 nm)	✨ Modern (Alder Lake-N (2023) / Intel 7 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon E5-2470 (2012) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Xeon E5-2470	Core i3-N300
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+149%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($125)	⚠️ Higher cost ($309)

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 E5-2470 Benchmark Check

Core i3-N300 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E5-2470 and Core i3-N300

Xeon E5-2470

The Xeon E5-2470 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 8,329 points. Launch price was $1,480.

Core i3-N300

The Core i3-N300 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): 7 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800, LPDDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 8,283 points. Launch price was $309.

⚡

Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2470 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, matching the Core i3-N300's 8 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Xeon E5-2470 versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i3-N300 — a 20.3% clock advantage for the Core i3-N300 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 0.1 GHz). The Xeon E5-2470 uses the Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-N300 uses Alder Lake-N (2023) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2470 scores 8,329 against the Core i3-N300's 8,283 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon E5-2470. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2470 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-N300.

Feature	Xeon E5-2470	Core i3-N300
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	8 / 8
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz	3.8 GHz+23%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz+2200%	0.1 GHz
L3 Cache	20480 kB (total)+233%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	2 MB (per module)+700%
Process	32 nm	Intel 7 nm-78%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge-EN (2012)	Alder Lake-N (2023)
PassMark	8,329	8,283

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2470 uses the LGA1356 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-N300 uses FCBGA1264 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E5-2470	Core i3-N300
Socket	LGA1356	FCBGA1264
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 5.0+150%

💰

Value Analysis

The Xeon E5-2470 launched at $1440 MSRP, while the Core i3-N300 debuted at $309. At current prices ($125 vs $309), the Xeon E5-2470 is $184 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-2470 delivers 66.6 pts/$ vs 26.8 pts/$ for the Core i3-N300 — making the Xeon E5-2470 the 85.2% better value option.