Intel Core i3-8100T vs Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 Comparison

The Intel Core i3-8100T and the Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 are both four-core, four-thread desktop processors on the Intel Socket 1151 platform, yet they target different segments of the market. The i3-8100T is a low-power Coffee Lake part, while the Xeon E3-1225 v5 is a higher-power Skylake server/workstation chip. Benchmark data from the FACT PACK shows a clear and consistent performance gap between the two, with the Xeon holding a decisive advantage across every tested workload.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are unambiguous: the Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 wins all six recorded benchmark comparisons. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Xeon scores 510 against the i3-8100T's 450, a delta of -11.8% from the i3's perspective. The single-core R15 test shows a similar story, with the Xeon at 72 versus 63, a -12.5% difference. These margins are not trivial; they indicate a meaningful performance tier separation rather than a minor clock-speed variation.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds. The Xeon's multicore score of 2127 surpasses the i3-8100T's 1876, again by -11.8%. In single-core R20, the Xeon posts 300 against 264, a -12% gap. The newest Cinebench R23 results reinforce the trend: multicore sees the Xeon at 5065 versus 4467 (-11.8%), and single-core shows 715 versus 630 (-11.9%). Across all six tests, the deltaPct hovers tightly between -11.8% and -12.5%, suggesting a consistent performance advantage that scales uniformly across both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads. There are no benchmark wins for the i3-8100T in this comparison; the Xeon E3-1225 v5 is ahead in every category measured.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 14 nm process node and use the same socket, but their underlying architectures diverge. The i3-8100T is based on the Coffee Lake architecture, a mainstream desktop design, while the Xeon E3-1225 v5 uses the Skylake-DT architecture, a derivative aimed at server and workstation duties. The die sizes are close — 126 mm² for the i3 and 122 mm² for the Xeon — but the transistor count differs significantly. The FACT PACK lists 1,750 million transistors for the Xeon, while no transistor count is provided for the i3-8100T.

Cache configuration is a key differentiator. Both have 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, but the shared L3 cache is larger on the Xeon at 8 MB versus 6 MB for the i3. This additional 2 MB of L3 could contribute to the Xeon's performance edge in workloads that benefit from a larger working set. Memory support also differs: the i3-8100T supports DDR4 only, while the Xeon E3-1225 v5 supports both DDR3 and DDR4. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the i3 has a higher theoretical memory bandwidth at 38.4 GB/s compared to the Xeon's 34.1 GB/s — an interesting inversion given the Xeon's benchmark lead.

Integrated graphics separate the two as well. The i3-8100T features UHD Graphics 630, while the Xeon is equipped with HD Graphics P530. Both support ECC memory, a notable feature for the i3 given its mainstream positioning. The Xeon's market segment is listed as Server/Workstation, whereas the i3 is a Desktop part. The Xeon also has a higher base clock (3.30 GHz versus 3.10 GHz) and, unlike the i3, includes a boost clock of 3.70 GHz; the i3-8100T has no boost clock listed. The Xeon's TDP is 80 W, more than double the i3's 35 W, which explains its higher sustained clock potential.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The i3-8100T has an average benchmark score of 1500, while the Xeon E3-1225 v5 averages 1465. Despite the Xeon's win in all direct head-to-head tests, the i3 has a slightly higher aggregate score across all benchmarks in the FACT PACK.

Q: Are both processors compatible with ECC memory?

A: Yes. Both the Intel Core i3-8100T and the Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 list ECC memory support as true. This is unusual for a mainstream Core i3 and makes the i3 a viable option for low-cost ECC builds.

Q: What is the difference in their launch MSRP?

A: The i3-8100T has a launch MSRP of $117, while the Xeon E3-1225 v5 has a launch MSRP of $224. The Xeon is positioned as a higher-end server/workstation part, which is reflected in its higher launch price.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes. Both the i3-8100T and the Xeon E3-1225 v5 have 4 cores and 4 threads. Neither supports hyper-threading, so thread count matches core count for both.

Q: Which CPU has a higher clock speed?

A: The Xeon E3-1225 v5 has a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The i3-8100T has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and no boost clock listed. The Xeon is faster in both base and peak frequencies.

Q: How do their Cinebench R23 multicore scores compare?

A: The Xeon E3-1225 v5 scores 5065 in Cinebench R23 multicore, which is 11.8% higher than the i3-8100T's 4467. This is the largest absolute score difference in the head-to-head tests.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several key specification fields. The most striking difference is TDP: the i3-8100T draws 35 W, while the Xeon E3-1225 v5 draws 80 W. Clock speeds also differ, with the i3 at 3.10 GHz base and no boost, versus the Xeon at 3.30 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost. The L3 cache is 6 MB on the i3 and 8 MB on the Xeon. Memory support varies: the i3 supports DDR4 only, while the Xeon supports DDR3 and DDR4. Memory bandwidth is higher on the i3 at 38.4 GB/s versus 34.1 GB/s for the Xeon. Integrated graphics are different, with the i3 using UHD Graphics 630 and the Xeon using HD Graphics P530. The architecture and codename differ (Coffee Lake vs. Skylake-DT), as do their market segments (Desktop vs. Server/Workstation). Transistor count is listed for the Xeon (1,750 million) but not for the i3. Die sizes are close but not identical: 126 mm² for the i3 and 122 mm² for the Xeon. Release dates differ, with the i3 released in April 2018 and the Xeon in October 2015. Launch MSRP also differs, at $117 for the i3 and $224 for the Xeon.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear performance hierarchy. The Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 is the faster processor in every direct benchmark comparison, with a consistent lead of roughly 12% across single-core and multi-core tests. Its higher base and boost clocks, larger L3 cache, and higher TDP all contribute to this edge. However, the i3-8100T is not without merit: it has a higher average benchmark score (1500 vs. 1465), higher memory bandwidth, a much lower TDP of 35 W versus 80 W, and a significantly lower launch MSRP of $117 versus $224. For workloads that prioritize raw throughput and are not constrained by power or thermal limits, the Xeon E3-1225 v5 is the clear choice. For builds where energy efficiency, lower heat output, and cost are primary concerns, the i3-8100T offers a compelling alternative, despite its lower benchmark scores. The Xeon's server/workstation pedigree also brings a larger L3 cache, which may benefit certain server-style workloads.

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon E3-1225 v5 wins in all six head-to-head benchmark tests, covering Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multicore modes. This makes it the superior choice for applications that are sensitive to raw CPU performance, such as video rendering, 3D modeling, and any heavily threaded productivity task. The consistent ~12% lead suggests the Xeon will provide a noticeable performance uplift in these scenarios. The i3-8100T, while losing every direct comparison, wins in other measurable categories. It has a higher average benchmark score overall, which indicates that in a broader benchmark suite, it may perform better in some unspecified tests. It also offers higher memory bandwidth, which could benefit memory-bound workloads, and it consumes less than half the power of the Xeon, making it ideal for compact, low-noise, or power-constrained systems. Its integrated UHD Graphics 630 is a different GPU than the Xeon's HD Graphics P530, though the FACT PACK does not include graphics benchmarks. For a user prioritizing efficiency and lower operating costs, the i3-8100T is the practical pick; for raw compute performance, the Xeon E3-1225 v5 is the definitive winner.