Xeon E5-4603
VS
Core i3-7167U

Xeon E5-4603 vs Core i3-7167U

Intel

Xeon E5-4603

4 Cores8 Thrd95 WWMax: 2 GHz2012
VS
Intel

Core i3-7167U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2017

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 E5-4603 is positioned at rank 670 and the Core i3-7167U is on rank 531, so the Core i3-7167U 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 E5-4603

#1
Xeon Platinum 8454H
MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A
12378%
#6
Xeon Gold 6240R
MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A
2337%
#10
Xeon 6337P
MSRP: $60|Avg: $5
2076%
#15
EPYC 9174F
MSRP: $194|Avg: $30
1604%
#395
Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX
MSRP: $2399|Avg: $1000
100%
#396
Xeon Platinum 8461V
MSRP: $4491|Avg: $4491
99%
#397
Xeon W-3235
MSRP: $1538|Avg: $1538
99%
#398
Xeon w9-3595X
MSRP: $5889|Avg: $6000
99%
#399
Xeon W-3365
MSRP: $3499|Avg: $3499
98%
#400
EPYC 7713P
MSRP: $5010|Avg: $2443
97%
#670
Xeon E5-4603
MSRP: $202|Avg: $80
100%
#671
Xeon X5672
MSRP: $300|Avg: $44
100%
#674
Xeon E3-1265L v4
MSRP: $417|Avg: $80
99%
#677
Xeon E5-1607 v2
MSRP: $250|Avg: $68
99%
#678
Xeon W5590
MSRP: $202|Avg: $30
99%
#683
Xeon E5-1603 v3
MSRP: $273|Avg: $40
97%
#684
Xeon E3-1270
MSRP: $330|Avg: $178
97%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-7167U

#167
Core Ultra 7 258V
MSRP: $450|Avg: $400
100%
#169
Core i7-1280P
MSRP: $482|Avg: $482
99%
#518
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
697%
#519
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
687%
#520
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
630%
#521
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
628%
#522
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
622%
#524
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
600%
#525
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
576%
#526
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
575%
#527
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
559%
#531
Core i3-7167U
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
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 i3-7167U (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightXeon E5-4603Core i3-7167U
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($80)
More affordable ($0)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) / 32 nm)
✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon E5-4603 (2012) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightXeon E5-4603Core i3-7167U
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($80)
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 E5-4603 and Core i3-7167U

Intel

Xeon E5-4603

The Xeon E5-4603 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 10240 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: 3,391 points. Launch price was $712.

Intel

Core i3-7167U

The Core i3-7167U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,368 points. Launch price was $304.

Processing Power

The Xeon E5-4603 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i3-7167U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon E5-4603 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Xeon E5-4603 versus 2.8 GHz on the Core i3-7167U — a 33.3% clock advantage for the Core i3-7167U (base: 2 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Xeon E5-4603 uses the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-7167U uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-4603 scores 3,391 against the Core i3-7167U's 3,368 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon E5-4603. L3 cache: 10240 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-4603 vs 3 MB on the Core i3-7167U.

FeatureXeon E5-4603Core i3-7167U
Cores / Threads
4 / 8+100%
2 / 4
Boost Clock
2 GHz
2.8 GHz+40%
Base Clock
2 GHz
2.8 GHz+40%
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)
Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark
3,391
3,368
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-4603 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-7167U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureXeon E5-4603Core i3-7167U
Socket
LGA2011
BGA1356
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
12
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E5-4603) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-7167U). The Core i3-7167U includes integrated graphics (Iris Plus Graphics 650), while the Xeon E5-4603 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7167U targets Mobile.

FeatureXeon E5-4603Core i3-7167U
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Iris Plus Graphics 650
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Mobile