Xeon E5-2690 vs Core i3-N305

Xeon E5-2690

8 Cores16 Thrd135 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2012

Core i3-N305

8 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2023

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Xeon E5-2690

8 / 16

9,764

+1.7%

9,600

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 E5-2690 is positioned at rank 992 and the Core i3-N305 is on rank 681, so the Core i3-N305 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 E5-2690

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

43752%

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

8261%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

7339%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

5670%

#537

Xeon Platinum 8180

MSRP: $10009|Avg: $2363

80%

#538

Xeon Platinum 8280M

MSRP: $10009|Avg: $6223

79%

#539

Xeon Platinum 8280

MSRP: $10009|Avg: $2940

77%

#992

Xeon E5-2690

MSRP: $2057|Avg: $150

100%

#993

Xeon E3-1565L v5

MSRP: $1552|Avg: $120

99%

#994

Xeon L5640

MSRP: $996|Avg: N/A

99%

#995

Xeon E5-4627 v2

MSRP: $2061|Avg: $70

96%

#996

Xeon L5335

MSRP: $380|Avg: $18

96%

#997

Xeon E-2144G

MSRP: $2090|Avg: $389

95%

#998

Xeon X5675

MSRP: $1440|Avg: $22

94%

#999

Xeon Phi 7210

MSRP: $1881|Avg: $150

82%

#1000

Xeon D-1567

MSRP: $2702|Avg: $230

81%

#1001

Xeon E-2126G

MSRP: $2702|Avg: $230

81%

#1004

Xeon D-1531

MSRP: $2057|Avg: $250

79%

#1005

Xeon 5130

MSRP: $316|Avg: $10

78%

#1007

Xeon E5-4640 v3

MSRP: $2859|Avg: $300

76%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-N305

#669

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

944%

#670

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

930%

#671

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

854%

#672

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

850%

#673

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

843%

#675

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

814%

#676

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

780%

#677

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

779%

#678

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

758%

#681

Core i3-N305

MSRP: $309|Avg: $309

100%

#695

Processor N95

MSRP: $160|Avg: $80

96%

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-N305 (2023) utilizes Intel 7 nm technology and DDR4, DDR5, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Xeon E5-2690	Core i3-N305
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($150)	⚠️ Higher cost ($309)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) / 32 nm)	✨ Modern (Alder Lake-N (2023) / Intel 7 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon E5-2690 (2012) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Xeon E5-2690	Core i3-N305
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+110%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($150)	⚠️ 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 E5-2690 Benchmark Check

Core i3-N305 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E5-2690 and Core i3-N305

Xeon E5-2690

The Xeon E5-2690 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 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 135 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 9,764 points. Launch price was $397.

Core i3-N305

The Core i3-N305 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): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 9,600 points. Launch price was $309.

⚡

Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2690 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, matching the Core i3-N305's 8 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-2690 versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i3-N305 — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.9 GHz vs 0.1 GHz). The Xeon E5-2690 uses the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-N305 uses Alder Lake-N (2023) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2690 scores 9,764 against the Core i3-N305's 9,600 — a 1.7% lead for the Xeon E5-2690. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2690 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-N305.

Feature	Xeon E5-2690	Core i3-N305
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	8 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+2800%	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-EP (2012)	Alder Lake-N (2023)
PassMark	9,764+2%	9,600

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2690 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-N305 uses FCBGA1264 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E5-2690	Core i3-N305
Socket	LGA2011	FCBGA1264
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 5.0+150%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	384 GB	—
RAM Channels	4	—
ECC Support	✅	—
PCIe Lanes	40	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Xeon E5-2690 launched at $2057 MSRP, while the Core i3-N305 debuted at $309. At current prices ($150 vs $309), the Xeon E5-2690 is $159 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-2690 delivers 65.1 pts/$ vs 31.1 pts/$ for the Core i3-N305 — making the Xeon E5-2690 the 70.8% better value option.