Intel Core i3-10100 vs Intel Xeon E5-4610 v3 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core Cinebench R23 score?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-4610 v3 scores 6144 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Intel Core i3-10100 scores 2564. The Xeon leads by 139.6%.

Q: How do the two compare in single-core Cinebench R15 performance?

A: The Intel Core i3-10100 wins narrowly with a score of 88 versus the Xeon's 87, a difference of 1.1%. In the same test, the Xeon's 87 score is lower, but it dominates in multi-core.

Q: What is the memory controller difference between the two?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-4610 v3 supports quad-channel DDR4 with a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The Intel Core i3-10100 uses dual-channel DDR4 with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, while the i3 does not.

Q: Do both CPUs have the same percentile ranking among all tested processors?

A: Yes, both sit at the 41st percentile versus all CPUs. Their average benchmark scores are very close: the Xeon averages 1777, and the i3 averages 1742.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-4610 v3 has 10 cores and 20 threads. The Intel Core i3-10100 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Xeon's core count is 2.5 times higher.

Q: What are the integrated graphics options for each CPU?

A: The Intel Core i3-10100 includes UHD Graphics 630. The Intel Xeon E5-4610 v3 has no integrated graphics listed in the database.

The Verdict

The data splits the two processors into distinct roles. The Intel Xeon E5-4610 v3 wins 5 of 6 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, all in Cinebench multi-core and single-core tests. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 6144 is 139.6% ahead of the i3-10100's 2564. For heavily threaded workloads, the Xeon is the clear choice.

The Intel Core i3-10100 wins only one head-to-head test, Cinebench R15 single-core, with a score of 88 versus the Xeon's 87. That margin is 1.1%, effectively a tie. However, the i3 has other recorded benchmarks not shared with the Xeon, such as 3DMark tests and Geekbench. In 3DMark 16-thread, it scores 3235; in single-thread, 705. Geekbench single-core is 1350, multi-core 4495.

For users building a desktop with active production status, the i3-10100 is the only one of the two still in production. The Xeon E5-4610 v3 is end-of-life, aimed at server and workstation platforms. The i3 also has integrated graphics, a 65 W TDP, and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz, all of which suit a general-purpose desktop.

The Xeon's 105 W TDP and quad-channel memory with ECC support point to server-grade reliability. Its 10 cores and 25 MB shared L3 cache are designed for parallel tasks. The verdict: choose the Xeon for multi-threaded server or workstation workloads; choose the i3 for a modern, active desktop CPU with integrated graphics and higher base clock.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data covers six Cinebench tests. The Intel Xeon E5-4610 v3 wins five of them decisively. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 619 against the i3's 258, a delta of 139.9%. The same pattern appears in R20 multi-core: 2580 versus 1076, a 139.8% lead. In R23 multi-core, the Xeon's 6144 beats 2564, a 139.6% advantage.

Single-core results are more nuanced. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the i3 wins with 88 versus the Xeon's 87, a 1.1% margin. But in R20 single-core, the Xeon scores 364 against the i3's 152, a 139.5% lead. In R23 single-core, the Xeon again wins: 867 versus 362, also a 139.5% delta. The i3's sole victory in R15 single-core appears anomalous when set against the other single-core tests.

The Xeon's multi-core dominance is consistent across all three Cinebench versions. Its R15 multi-core score is 2.4 times the i3's; R20 is 2.4 times; R23 is also 2.4 times. The single-core R20 and R23 results show the Xeon at roughly 2.4 times the i3's score as well. Only the R15 single-core test breaks the pattern, with near-equal scores.

The average benchmark scores reinforce the split. The Xeon's average is 1777, the i3's is 1742, a difference of 35 points. The Xeon's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 at 1778 (0.1% ahead) and the Intel Xeon E5-2637 v3 at 1773 (0.2% behind). The i3's closest rival is the AMD Ryzen 3 4300U at 1742, a 0% delta. Both CPUs sit in a crowded mid-tier band.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every fundamental specification. The Xeon E5-4610 v3 has 10 cores and 20 threads; the i3-10100 has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are 1700 MHz for the Xeon and 3600 MHz for the i3. The i3 has a boost clock of 4300 MHz; the Xeon has no listed boost clock.

Cache sizes diverge sharply. The Xeon has 25 MB of shared L3 cache; the i3 has 6 MB. Both have 64 KB L1 per core and 256 KB L2 per core. The Xeon's total transistor count is 2,600 million with a die size of 356 mm²; the i3 has no recorded transistor or die size.

Memory support differs. The Xeon uses quad-channel DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support. The i3 uses dual-channel DDR4 with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC. PCIe lanes: the Xeon provides 40 Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), the i3 provides 16 Gen 3 lanes. The Xeon has no integrated graphics, while the i3 includes UHD Graphics 630.

Sockets and platforms are incompatible. The Xeon uses Intel Socket 2011-3; the i3 uses Intel Socket 1200. Market segments also differ: the Xeon is for server/workstation, the i3 for desktop. Production status shows the Xeon as end-of-life and the i3 as active. Release dates are May 2015 for the Xeon and April 2020 for the i3. The Xeon has a launch MSRP of $1219; the i3 has no listing.

Architecture Differences

The Xeon E5-4610 v3 is built on the Haswell-EP architecture, codenamed Haswell-EP, using a 22 nm process node. The i3-10100 uses the Comet Lake architecture, also codenamed Comet Lake, on a 14 nm process node. The Xeon's generation is "Xeon E5 (Haswell-EP)", while the i3's is "Core i3 (Comet Lake)".

The Xeon's 10 cores and 20 threads come from a server-oriented design with a 25 MB shared L3 cache. That cache is over four times larger than the i3's 6 MB. The i3 compensates with a much higher base clock: 3.60 GHz versus 1.70 GHz, plus a 4.30 GHz boost clock. The Xeon lacks a boost clock listing, which limits its single-thread burst capability.

Memory architecture reflects their different roles. The Xeon's quad-channel memory bus provides 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, 20% higher than the i3's 42.7 GB/s. ECC support on the Xeon is a server feature absent from the i3. The Xeon's 40 PCIe lanes (Gen 3) are more than double the i3's 16 lanes, enabling more expansion devices.

The Xeon's 22 nm process with 2,600 million transistors and a 356 mm² die is a large server chip. The i3's 14 nm process is newer but lacks recorded transistor counts. The i3 includes integrated UHD Graphics 630, which the Xeon does not have. TDPs differ: the Xeon draws 105 W, the i3 draws 65 W.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E5-4610 v3 wins in every multi-threaded Cinebench test. Its 10 cores and 20 threads deliver 139.8% to 139.9% advantages in multi-core R15, R20, and R23. It also wins single-core R20 and R23 by 139.5% margins despite the i3's higher clock speed. The Xeon's 25 MB L3 cache and quad-channel memory at 51.2 GB/s support these parallel workloads. This is the CPU for rendering, simulation, and heavy server tasks.

The Intel Core i3-10100 wins the only remaining head-to-head test: Cinebench R15 single-core, 88 versus 87. Its 3.60 GHz base clock and 4.30 GHz boost clock give it an edge in lightly threaded legacy benchmarks. Beyond the shared tests, the i3 has its own recorded strengths. Geekbench single-core at 1350 and multi-core at 4495 show strong per-thread performance. 3DMark scores range from 705 single-thread to 3235 in 16-thread tests.

For desktop users, the i3's integrated UHD Graphics 630 eliminates the need for a discrete GPU in basic systems. Its 65 W TDP is lower than the Xeon's 105 W, and it remains in active production. The i3's dual-channel memory at 42.7 GB/s is sufficient for mainstream tasks. Its Socket 1200 platform is current and widely available.

For server or workstation builders, the Xeon's ECC memory support and 40 PCIe lanes are essential. Its quad-channel memory bandwidth and larger L3 cache reduce bottlenecks in data-heavy applications. The Xeon's end-of-life status may complicate new deployments, but its raw multi-core throughput remains competitive. The recorded data shows the Xeon leading in 5 of 6 shared tests, with the i3 taking only a single-core R15 edge. Choose the Xeon for core-heavy throughput; choose the i3 for clock speed, integrated graphics, and an active desktop platform.