Intel Core i3-8300T vs Intel Xeon E3-1268L v5 Comparison

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon E3-1268L v5 wins every single benchmark in this comparison. Across six Cinebench tests, the Xeon leads by margins ranging from 13.2% to 13.8%, and it wins all six head-to-head matchups. The Core i3-8300T records zero wins. Benchmark results indicate the Xeon E3-1268L v5 is the stronger processor for anyone whose priority is raw compute throughput.

That said, the two CPUs target different buyers. The Core i3-8300T is a Desktop part built for general desktop use, while the Xeon E3-1268L v5 is a Server/Workstation part with a 35 W TDP on both parts. If the workload fits a desktop, the i3-8300T is the simpler choice. The Xeon wins for threaded workloads, period. The data shows the i3-8300T is the pick for a straightforward desktop system, the Xeon E3-1268L v5 is the pick for multi-threaded work where the extra threads matter.

The i3-8300T has a higher base clock at 3.20 GHz versus 2.40 GHz, but the Xeon has a boost clock of 3.40 GHz that the i3 lacks entirely. The Xeon also brings 8 threads to the table against the i3's 4 threads, which explains its consistent advantage in every Cinebench test. The Xeon is the winner for heavy multi-tasking, the i3 is the winner for anyone who wants the newer Coffee Lake architecture on the desktop.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from different Intel architecture generations. The Core i3-8300T is built on Coffee Lake, released in April 2018. The Xeon E3-1268L v5 is built on Skylake, specifically Skylake-DT, released in October 2015. Both use the same 14 nm process node from Intel.

The core counts are identical at 4 cores, but the threading differs. The i3-8300T has 4 threads total, meaning no hyper-threading. The Xeon E3-1268L v5 has 8 threads, doubling the thread count with simultaneous multi-threading. The Xeon's base clock is 2.40 GHz with a 3.40 GHz boost, while the i3's base is 3.20 GHz with no boost capability listed.

Cache sizes are matched: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 on both CPUs. Die size is nearly identical too, 126 mm² for the Coffee Lake i3-8300T and 122 mm² for the Skylake Xeon. Transistor count is recorded only for the Xeon E3-1268L v5 at 1,750 million transistors, the i3-8300T has no recorded transistor figure.

Memory support differs meaningfully. The i3-8300T supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel bus width and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Xeon E3-1268L v5 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory types with dual-channel bus and 34.1 GB/s bandwidth, which is about 11.2% lower bandwidth than the i3. Both CPUs support ECC memory, both have ECC memory true in the database.

Both CPUs support ECC memory true in the database. PCIe support is identical, Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU only. Integrated graphics differ: the i3-8300T has UHD Graphics 630, the Xeon E3-1268L v5 has HD Graphics P530. Both CPUs have integrated graphics true in the database. Both CPUs have integrated graphics true in the database. The i3-8300T has integrated graphics true, the Xeon has integrated graphics true.

Both are socket 1151 parts, both are end-of-life production status, both have locked multipliers. The i3-8300T has a part number of SR3Y1, the Xeon E3-1268L v5 has a part number of SR2LQ.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Xeon E3-1268L v5 wins all six Cinebench tests, with deltas between 13.2% and 13.8%. The pattern is remarkably consistent, suggesting the Xeon's advantage is structural, driven by its 8 threads versus 4 threads.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Xeon scores 542 against the i3-8300T's 469, a 13.5% lead. The single-core result is 76 versus 66, a 13.2% delta. The i3-8300T's higher base clock, 3.20 GHz versus 2.40 GHz, cannot overcome the Xeon's 3.40 GHz boost clock in single-threaded work.

Cinebench R20 shows the same pattern. Multicore: Xeon 2260 versus i3 1955, a 13.5% gap. Single-core: Xeon 319 versus i3 275, a 13.8% delta. The largest margin of the comparison is this single-core R20 result.

Cinebench R23 delivers the same story. Multicore: Xeon 5383 versus i3 4656, a 13.5% lead. Single-core: Xeon 760 versus i3 657, a 13.6% delta.

The i3-8300T also has Geekbench results in the database, scoring 3436 multicore and 1171 single-core, but the Xeon has no Geekbench scores recorded, so no head-to-head comparison exists for that suite. Across all recorded benchmarks, the Xeon's average score is 1557 and the i3-8300T's is 1586. This is a narrow margin of 1.9% in favor of the i3, driven by the Geekbench data, but the head-to-head Cinebench results tell a completely different story.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in the following recorded fields:

• Threads: The i3-8300T has 4 threads, the Xeon E3-1268L v5 has 8 threads.
• Base clock: The i3-8300T runs at 3.20 GHz, the Xeon E3-1268L v5 at 2.40 GHz.
• Boost clock: The Xeon E3-1268L v5 has a 3.40 GHz boost, the i3-8300T has no boost clock listed; the i3-8300T has a boost clock null in the database, the Xeon has boost clock 3.20, the Xeon has 3.40, the i3 has no boost clock true in the database.
• Architecture: The i3-8300T is Coffee Lake, the Xeon E3-1268L v5 is Skylake (Skylake-DT).
• Generation: The i3-8300T is Core i3 (Coffee Lake), the Xeon E3-1268L v5 is Xeon E3 (Skylake-DT).
• Die size: The i3-8300T is 126 mm², the Xeon E3-1268L v5 is 122 mm².
• Transistors: The Xeon E3-1268L v5 is 1,750 million, the i3-8300T has no recorded value.
• Memory support: The i3-8300T supports DDR4 only, the Xeon E3-1268L v5 supports DDR3 and DDR4.
• Memory bandwidth: The i3-8300T has 38.4 GB/s, the Xeon E3-1268L v5 has 34.1 GB/s.
• Integrated graphics: The i3-8300T has UHD Graphics 630, the Xeon E3-1268L v5 has HD Graphics P530.
• Market segment: The i3-8300T is Desktop, the Xeon E3-1268L v5 is Server/Workstation.
• Release date: The i3-8300T released in April 2018, the Xeon E3-1268L v5 in October 2015.
• Launch MSRP: The i3-8300T had a launch MSRP of $138, the Xeon E3-1268L v5 had a launch MSRP of $377.

The i3-8300T has a lower launch MSRP, but the two CPUs share identical TDP at 35 W, identical cores at 4, identical L1 and L2 cache sizes per core, identical L3 at 8 MB, identical socket 1151, identical PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, identical process node at 14 nm, identical foundry in Intel, identical ECC memory support, identical dual-channel memory bus, and identical unlocked multiplier status (both false).

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in Cinebench tests?

A: The Xeon E3-1268L v5 wins all six recorded Cinebench tests. The margins are 13.2% to 13.8% across R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multicore tests.

Q: Do these CPUs use the same socket?

A: Yes, both are Intel Socket 1151 parts. They also share the same 14 nm process node and the same 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU.

Q: Which CPU has more threads?

A: The Xeon E3-1268L v5 has 8 threads versus 4 threads on the i3-8300T. Both have 4 cores.

Q: Do both CPUs support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the i3-8300T and the Xeon E3-1268L v5 have ECC memory support recorded as true in the database.

Q: Which CPU has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The i3-8300T has 38.4 GB/s, which is 12.6% higher than the Xeon E3-1268L v5's 34.1 GB/s. The i3-8300T supports DDR4 only, while the Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4.

Q: What is the average benchmark score of each CPU?

A: The i3-8300T has an average benchmark score of 1586, which is 1.9% higher than the Xeon E3-1268L v5's 1557. Both CPUs sit at the 39th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon E3-1268L v5 wins every Cinebench benchmark, making it the clear choice for threaded workloads. Its 8 threads versus 4 threads give it a structural advantage in any multi-threaded application. The Xeon's 3.40 GHz boost clock also helps it win single-core tests despite a lower base clock.

The i3-8300T wins in memory bandwidth, offering 38.4 GB/s versus the Xeon's 34.1 GB/s. It also carries the newer Coffee Lake architecture and a lower launch MSRP of $138 versus $377. Its 3.20 GHz base clock is higher than the Xeon's 2.40 GHz, which could matter in workloads that hold the base clock rather than boosting.

The i3-8300T is the desktop-oriented part, while the Xeon E3-1268L v5 targets the server and workstation segment. For a desktop build where the user wants the newer architecture and higher memory bandwidth, the i3-8300T is the sensible pick. For any workload that can use more threads, the Xeon E3-1268L v5 is the winner in the recorded benchmarks.

The data also shows the i3-8300T has a higher average benchmark score at 1586 versus 1557, a 1.9% difference that comes from Geekbench scores not present for the Xeon. Both CPUs sit at the 39th percentile, meaning each sits at the same performance percentile. The Xeon E3-1268L v5 is the pick for multi-threaded performance, the i3-8300T is the pick for the desktop with DDR4 support, the Xeon E3-1268L v5 is the pick for the server, the i3-8300T is the pick for the desktop. The Xeon E3-1268L v5 is the performance winner in all head-to-head tests, but the i3-8300T is the newer, lower priced part with higher memory bandwidth. Choose the Xeon E3-1268L v5 for compute, the i3-8300T for the desktop. The Xeon E3-1268L v5 wins on raw performance, the i3-8300T wins on memory bandwidth and price.