CPU
GPU
Xeon E5-2603
Core i3-6102E
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 E5-2603 is positioned at rank 825 and the Core i3-6102E is on rank 989, so the Xeon E5-2603 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2603
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-6102E
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E5-2603 | Core i3-6102E |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($35) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E5-2603 | Core i3-6102E |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($35) |
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 E5-2603 and Core i3-6102E
Xeon E5-2603
The Xeon E5-2603 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 10240 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,325 points. Launch price was $207.
Core i3-6102E
The Core i3-6102E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 1.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 2,349 points. Launch price was $225.
Processing Power
The Xeon E5-2603 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-6102E offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon E5-2603 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-2603 versus 1.9 GHz on the Core i3-6102E — a 5.4% clock advantage for the Core i3-6102E. The Xeon E5-2603 uses the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-6102E uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2603 scores 2,325 against the Core i3-6102E's 2,349 — a 1% lead for the Core i3-6102E. L3 cache: 10240 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2603 vs 3 MB on the Core i3-6102E.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2603 | Core i3-6102E |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 1.8 GHz | 1.9 GHz+6% |
| Base Clock | 1.8 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 10240 kB (total)+233% | 3 MB |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 512 kB+100% |
| Process | 32 nm | 14 nm-56% |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) | Skylake (2015−2016) |
| PassMark | 2,325 | 2,349+1% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E5-2603) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-6102E). The Core i3-6102E includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 530), while the Xeon E5-2603 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-6102E targets Embedded.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2603 | Core i3-6102E |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | HD Graphics 530 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Embedded |
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