CPU
GPU
Xeon E5-2658
Core i3-9300T
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 E5-2658 is positioned at rank #699 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 E5-2658
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-9300T
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E5-2658 | Core i3-9300T |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($400) | ✅ More affordable ($309) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) / 32 nm) | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake (2017−2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E5-2658 | Core i3-9300T |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+31%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($400) | ✅ 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 E5-2658 and Core i3-9300T
Xeon E5-2658
The Xeon E5-2658 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 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,232 points. Launch price was $1,462.
Core i3-9300T
The Core i3-9300T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 6,323 points. Launch price was $143.
Processing Power
The Xeon E5-2658 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i3-9300T offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon E5-2658 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Xeon E5-2658 versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i3-9300T — a 45.2% clock advantage for the Core i3-9300T (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Xeon E5-2658 uses the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-9300T uses Coffee Lake (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2658 scores 6,232 against the Core i3-9300T's 6,323 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i3-9300T. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2658 vs 8 MB on the Core i3-9300T.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2658 | Core i3-9300T |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 16+100% | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.4 GHz | 3.8 GHz+58% |
| Base Clock | 2.1 GHz | 3.2 GHz+52% |
| L3 Cache | 20480 kB (total)+150% | 8 MB |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 1 MB+300% |
| Process | 32 nm | 14 nm-56% |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) | Coffee Lake (2017−2019) |
| PassMark | 6,232 | 6,323+1% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 1,000 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 3,265 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E5-2658 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i3-9300T uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2658 | Core i3-9300T |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2011 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+67% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR4-2400 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E5-2658) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-9300T). The Core i3-9300T includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E5-2658 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-9300T targets Low Power Desktop.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2658 | Core i3-9300T |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | — | Low Power Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E5-2658 launched at $400 MSRP, while the Core i3-9300T debuted at $309. At current prices ($400 vs $309), the Core i3-9300T is $91 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-2658 delivers 15.6 pts/$ vs 20.5 pts/$ for the Core i3-9300T — making the Core i3-9300T the 27.1% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2658 | Core i3-9300T |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $400 | $309-23% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $400 | $309-23% |
| Performance per Dollar | 15.6 | 20.5+31% |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2019 |
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