Intel Core i3-8100T vs Intel Xeon E5-1428L v2 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1428L v2 records an average benchmark score of 1537, while the Intel Core i3-8100T sits at 1500. Both CPUs land in the 38th percentile of all CPUs in the database.

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

A: The Xeon wins every recorded single-core test. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Xeon scores 750 versus the i3-8100T's 630, a 19% advantage. The same pattern holds in R15 (75 vs 63) and R20 (315 vs 264).

Q: Does the Core i3-8100T have any benchmark win at all?

A: No. Across the six head-to-head Cinebench comparisons in the database, the Xeon E5-1428L v2 wins all six. The i3-8100T has zero wins in the recorded head-to-head data.

Q: What memory technologies do these processors support?

A: The Xeon E5-1428L v2 supports DDR3 memory over a triple-channel bus with 32.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The Core i3-8100T supports DDR4 over a dual-channel bus with 38.4 GB/s of bandwidth, which is higher despite the narrower bus.

Q: Are both processors end-of-life and does the i3 include integrated graphics?

A: Yes, both are marked end-of-life in the database. The Core i3-8100T includes UHD Graphics 630, while the Xeon E5-1428L v2 has no integrated graphics listed.

Q: What are the launch MSRPs of the two chips?

A: The Xeon E5-1428L v2 has a launch MSRP of $494, and the Core i3-8100T has a launch MSRP of $117.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from very different eras and design philosophies. The Intel Xeon E5-1428L v2 is built on the Ivy Bridge-EN architecture using a 22 nm process, while the Intel Core i3-8100T uses the Coffee Lake architecture on a 14 nm process. The Xeon is a server and workstation part, whereas the i3 targets the desktop segment.

Core counts differ substantially. The Xeon provides 6 cores and 12 threads thanks to Hyper-Threading, while the i3-8100T offers 4 cores and 4 threads with no simultaneous multithreading. This gives the Xeon a structural advantage in heavily threaded workloads. The Xeon also has a much larger shared L3 cache at 15 MB, compared to 6 MB on the i3. Both share the same per-core L1 and L2 cache sizes: 64 KB and 256 KB per core.

Clock speeds tell a more nuanced story. The i3-8100T has a higher base clock of 3.10 GHz, while the Xeon's base clock is 2.20 GHz. However, the Xeon has a boost clock of 2.70 GHz, and the i3 has no boost clock listed at all. The Xeon's lower base frequency is compensated by its additional cores and threads.

The Xeon's die is significantly larger at 257 mm², with 1,860 million transistors, while the i3's die is 126 mm² with no transistor count listed. Power envelopes differ sharply: the Xeon is rated at 60 W TDP, and the i3 at 35 W TDP. The Xeon uses the Intel Socket 1356 platform, while the i3 uses Intel Socket 1151.

Memory architecture is another dividing line. The Xeon uses triple-channel DDR3 with 32.0 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support. The i3 uses dual-channel DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth and also supports ECC. The i3's higher bandwidth despite fewer channels reflects the newer DDR4 standard.

PCIe lane counts differ as well. The Xeon provides Gen 3 with 24 lanes from the CPU, while the i3 offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The i3 includes integrated UHD Graphics 630, which the Xeon lacks entirely. The Xeon was released on 2014-01-08, and the i3 followed on 2018-04-01.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records six head-to-head Cinebench comparisons, and the pattern is remarkably consistent. The Xeon E5-1428L v2 wins every test by nearly the same margin, hovering around 19%. This uniformity suggests the performance gap is driven by the core and thread count difference rather than any single workload characteristic.

In multi-core tests, the Xeon posts 535 in Cinebench R15 against the i3's 450, a delta of 18.9%. In R20 multi-core, the Xeon scores 2232 versus 1876, a 19% delta. In R23 multi-core, the Xeon reaches 5316 while the i3 manages 4467, again 19% ahead. The Xeon's 12 threads clearly overpower the i3's 4 threads in rendering workloads.

Single-core results are more surprising given the i3's higher base clock. The Xeon still wins R15 single-core with 75 versus 63, a 19% delta. In R20 single-core, it scores 315 against 264, a 19.3% delta. In R23 single-core, it posts 750 versus 630, a 19% delta. The i3's 3.10 GHz base clock does not translate into a single-core victory, likely because the Xeon's 2.70 GHz boost clock and older but higher-end architecture hold up better in this test suite.

The largest recorded delta is in R20 single-core at 19.3%, and the smallest is R15 multi-core at 18.9%, but these differences are negligible. Every head-to-head result lands within a narrow band of 18.9% to 19.3%, indicating a stable, workload-independent advantage for the Xeon.

The average benchmark scores corroborate the head-to-head data. The Xeon's average score of 1537 places it just 0.7% above the Intel Core i5-7440HQ and the Intel Core i5-4670S, and 0.8% below the Intel Core i7-4760HQ. The i3-8100T's average of 1500 sits 0.1% above the Intel Core i7-3770S and 0.5% above the Intel Core i5-4590S, while trailing the Intel Core i7-8665U by 0.8%. Both chips occupy the same 38th percentile, but the Xeon edges ahead in raw average score by 37 points.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear winner for compute-heavy tasks: the Intel Xeon E5-1428L v2. It wins all six head-to-head benchmarks, with a consistent 19% advantage across both single-core and multi-core tests. Its 6 cores and 12 threads provide a structural edge that the i3-8100T cannot overcome, even with a higher base clock. The Xeon's 15 MB of L3 cache, triple-channel DDR3, and 24 PCIe lanes further cement its position as the more capable processor for sustained workloads.

The Core i3-8100T, however, is not without merits. Its 35 W TDP is significantly lower than the Xeon's 60 W TDP, making it the more power-efficient option. It also supports DDR4 with a higher memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, includes integrated UHD Graphics 630, and comes on the newer 14 nm process. For a desktop user who wants a complete platform with graphics and modern memory, the i3 is the more practical choice.

The launch MSRP difference of $494 for the Xeon. The i3 carries a launch MSRP of $117. The Xeon targets server and workstation buyers who need ECC memory, high core counts, and platform longevity. The i3 targets desktop builders who prioritize efficiency and integrated graphics. Neither processor is current, as both are end-of-life in the database, but the Xeon remains the performance king in these recorded benchmarks.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category. The Xeon E5-1428L v2 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the i3-8100T has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Xeon's base clock is 2.20 GHz with a boost clock of 2.70 GHz; the i3's base clock is 3.10 GHz with no boost clock listed.

L3 cache is 15 MB on the Xeon versus 6 MB on the i3. The Xeon uses the Intel Socket 1356 platform, while the i3 uses Intel Socket 1151. The Xeon is built on a 22 nm process with a 257 mm² die and 1,860 million transistors; the i3 uses a 14 nm process with a 126 mm² die and no transistor count specified.

Memory support differs: the Xeon uses DDR3 with triple-channel access and 32.0 GB/s bandwidth, while the i3 uses DDR4 with dual-channel access and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. Both support ECC memory. PCIe configurations differ, with the Xeon offering Gen 3 with 24 lanes from the CPU and the i3 offering Gen 3 with 16 lanes.

The Xeon has no integrated graphics, while the i3 includes UHD Graphics 630. The market segment for the Xeon is server and workstation, and for the i3 it is desktop. Release dates are 2014-01-01 for the Xeon and 2018-02-04 for the i3. Launch MSRP is $494 for the Xeon and $117 for the i3. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and the part numbers are SR1B9 for the Xeon and SR3Y8 for the i3.

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon wins in every recorded benchmark category. In multi-core tests, it leads by 18.9% in R15, 19% in R20, and 19% in R23. In single-core tests, it leads by 19% in R15, 19.2% in R20, and 19% in R23. Its average score of 535 in R15 multi-core and 75 in R15 single-core demonstrate dominance in both throughput and latency-sensitive tasks. The Xeon is the choice for rendering, compilation, or any workload that scales with threads.

The i3-8100T wins in efficiency and platform features. Its 35 W TDP is lower than the Xeon's 60 W TDP, making it better suited for compact or thermally constrained desktop builds. It offers DDR4 support with higher memory bandwidth at 38.4 GB/s, which benefits memory-heavy applications. Its integrated UHD Graphics 630 eliminates the need for a discrete GPU in basic systems. The i3's 3.10 GHz base clock gives it a nominal frequency advantage, though the benchmark data does not translate that into a win.

For users choosing between the two, the decision hinges on workload priority. The Xeon E5-1428L v2 is the compute champion, winning all six head-to-head tests with a 19% margin. The Core i3-8100T is the efficiency pick, offering modern memory, lower power draw, and integrated graphics. The database shows both in the 38th percentile of all CPUs, but the Xeon's higher average score of 1537 versus 1500 confirms its slight overall edge in measured performance.