Xeon E5-2685 v3
VS
Core i5-1235U

Xeon E5-2685 v3 vs Core i5-1235U

Intel

Xeon E5-2685 v3

12 Cores12 Thrd120 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2014
VS
Intel

Core i5-1235U

10 Cores12 Thrd15 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

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 E5-2685 v3 is positioned at rank 250 and the Core i5-1235U is on rank 171, so the Core i5-1235U 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 E5-2685 v3

#1
Xeon Platinum 8454H
MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A
4014%
#6
Xeon Gold 6240R
MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A
758%
#10
Xeon 6337P
MSRP: $60|Avg: $5
673%
#15
EPYC 9174F
MSRP: $194|Avg: $30
520%
#215
Xeon E-2456
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $289
100%
#218
Xeon Gold 5512U
MSRP: $1230|Avg: N/A
97%
#250
Xeon E5-2685 v3
MSRP: $2090|Avg: N/A
100%
#255
Ryzen 3 PRO 1200
MSRP: $109|Avg: $80
99%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-1235U

#49
Core i9-12900HX
MSRP: $606|Avg: N/A
97%
#159
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
345%
#160
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
340%
#161
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
312%
#162
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
311%
#163
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
308%
#165
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
298%
#166
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
285%
#167
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
285%
#168
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
277%
#171
Core i5-1235U
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#173
Celeron N3060
MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A
99%
#176
Core 2 Duo T9300
MSRP: $316|Avg: $20
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 i5-1235U (2022) utilizes Intel 7 nm technology and DDR4, DDR5, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightXeon E5-2685 v3Core i5-1235U
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($2,090)
More affordable ($0)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Haswell-EP (2014−2015) / 22 nm)
✨ Modern (Alder Lake-U (2022) / Intel 7 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon E5-2685 v3 (2014) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightXeon E5-2685 v3Core i5-1235U
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($2,090)
More affordable ($0)

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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E5-2685 v3 and Core i5-1235U

Intel

Xeon E5-2685 v3

The Xeon E5-2685 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 12 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 12,944 points. Launch price was $800.

Intel

Core i5-1235U

The Core i5-1235U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 February 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture. It features 10 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 12,740 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2685 v3 packs 12 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i5-1235U offers 10 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2685 v3 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2685 v3 versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-1235U — a 28.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-1235U (base: 2.6 GHz vs 1.3 GHz). The Xeon E5-2685 v3 uses the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-1235U uses Alder Lake-U (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2685 v3 scores 12,944 against the Core i5-1235U's 12,740 — a 1.6% lead for the Xeon E5-2685 v3. L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2685 v3 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-1235U.

FeatureXeon E5-2685 v3Core i5-1235U
Cores / Threads
12 / 12+20%
10 / 12
Boost Clock
3.3 GHz
4.4 GHz+33%
Base Clock
2.6 GHz+100%
1.3 GHz
L3 Cache
30 MB (total)+150%
12 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
1.25 MB (per core)+400%
Process
22 nm
Intel 7 nm-68%
Architecture
Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
Alder Lake-U (2022)
PassMark
12,944+2%
12,740
Geekbench 6 Single
2,095
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2685 v3 uses the LGA2011-3 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-1235U uses FCBGA1744 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureXeon E5-2685 v3Core i5-1235U
Socket
LGA2011-3
FCBGA1744
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0
PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed
LPDDR5-5200
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
20
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E5-2685 v3) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-1235U). The Core i5-1235U includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics 80EU), while the Xeon E5-2685 v3 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-1235U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-1235U rivals Ryzen 5 6600U.

FeatureXeon E5-2685 v3Core i5-1235U
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Iris Xe Graphics 80EU
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Mainstream Laptop