Intel Core i3-8350K vs Intel Xeon E3-1270 v5 Comparison

The Verdict

The data presents a clear hierarchy between these two Intel processors. The Intel Xeon E3-1270 v5 wins every single benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, recording six wins out of six tests. The Xeon is ahead by 16.8% to 17% across all Cinebench workloads, whether single-core or multi-core. That consistency is remarkable. The Core i3-8350K, despite its higher 4.00 GHz base clock and unlocked multiplier, never overtakes the Xeon in any recorded measurement.

Who should pick which? The Xeon E3-1270 v5 is the stronger performer for any workload that relies on raw CPU throughput. Its 8 threads, enabled by Hyper-Threading, give it a structural advantage in multi-threaded tasks, and its single-core results are also superior despite a lower base clock. The i3-8350K offers an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, integrated UHD Graphics 630, and a lower launch MSRP of $168 compared to the Xeon's $339. However, the benchmark data does not capture any overclocked results. In stock configuration, the Xeon is simply faster everywhere.

The average benchmark score reinforces this. The Xeon averages 2048 across its recorded tests, while the i3 averages 2096. This seems contradictory at first, since the Xeon wins every head-to-head test. The explanation lies in the benchmark sets: the i3 has Geekbench results included in its average, while the Xeon does not. The Geekbench scores for the i3, 4992 multi-core and 1564 single-core, pull its average upward. The head-to-head Cinebench results are the more direct comparison, and those all favor the Xeon.

For a workstation or server workload, the Xeon E3-1270 v5 is the pick from this data. For a desktop user who values the unlocked multiplier and integrated graphics, the i3-8350K has appeal, but the performance crown belongs to the Xeon.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1270 v5 wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests. It scores 713 in R15 versus 593 for the i3, 2974 in R20 versus 2471, and 7082 in R23 versus 5884. The Xeon leads by 16.8% to 16.9% in these tests.

Q: Does the Core i3-8350K win any benchmark?

A: No. The head-to-head data records zero wins for the i3-8350K and six wins for the Xeon E3-1270 v5. The i3 does not lead in any single-core or multi-core test.

Q: How do the single-core scores compare between the two?

A: The Xeon E3-1270 v5 leads in single-core as well. It scores 100 in Cinebench R15 versus 83 for the i3, 419 in R20 versus 348, and 999 in R23 versus 830. The delta is 16.9% to 17% in favor of the Xeon.

Q: What about thread counts differ?

A: The i3-8350K has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Xeon E3-1270 v5 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Xeon's Hyper-Threading support doubles its thread count, which explains its multi-core advantage.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the database lists ECC memory as true for both the Intel Core i3-8350K and the Intel Xeon E3-1270 v5.

Q: What is the difference in integrated graphics availability?

A: The i3-8350K includes integrated UHD Graphics graphics, while the Xeon E3-1270 v5 has none.

Architecture Differences

The architectural lineage separates these two processors at the core level. The Core i3-8350K is built on Coffee Lake architecture, while the Xeon E3-1270 v5 uses Skylake architecture, specifically the Skylake-DT variant. Both are fabricated on the same process node at Intel's foundry, using a 14 nm process. The die sizes differ slightly. The i3 has a die size of 126 mm², while the Xeon measures 122 mm². The Xeon's transistor count is listed as 1,750 million transistors, a figure not provided for the i3.

The cache hierarchy is identical in structure. Both processors have 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of PCIe bandwidth at Gen 3 Lanes, and an 8 MB shared L3 cache memory bus at Dual-channel. The memory bandwidth differs. The i3 supports DDR4 memory bus at 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, while the Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4 with a 34.1 GB/s bandwidth. The i3's memory bus is listed at Dual-channel, and its memory support is only DDR4. The Xeon's memory support includes DDR3 and DDR4 memory bus at Dual-channel bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. The i3 memory bandwidth is 38.4 GB/s. Both processors have PCIe Gen 3 support with 16 Lanes(CPU only).

The i3 includes integrated UHD Graphics, the Xeon has no integrated graphics. The i3's integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 630, while the Xeon lists no integrated graphics at all. The i3's generation is Core i3 with Coffee Lake, the Xeon generation is Xeon E3 with Skylake-DT.

The i3-8350K is unlocked multiplier and supports DDR4 memory support. The Xeon multiplier is locked. The i3 supports DDR4 memory bus at 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, the Xeon supports DDR3 and DDR4 memory bus at 34.1 GB/s bandwidth.

The i3's socket is Intel Socket 1151, and both use the same socket. The i3's socket is Intel Socket 1151 socket, the Xeon's socket is Intel Socket 1151.

The i3's architecture is Coffee Lake, the Xeon's architecture is Skylake. The i3's codename is Coffee Lake, the Xeon's codename is Skylake-DT. The i3's process node is 14 nm, the Xeon's process node is also 14 nm. The i3's foundry is Intel, the Xeon's foundry is Intel.

The i3's die size is 126 mm², the Xeon's die size is 122 mm². The Xeon's transistors are 1,750 million, the i3's transistors are null.

The i3's cache l1 is 64 KB per core, l2 cache 256 KB per core, l3 cache 8 MB shared. The Xeon's cache is l1 64 KB per core, l2 256 KB per core, l3 8 MB shared. The i3's cache totalL3 is 8 MB, the Xeon's totalL3 is 8 MB. The i3's vCache3D is null.

The i3's memory support is DDR4, memory bus dual-channel, memory bandwidth 38.4 GB/s, ECC memory true, PCIe Gen 3 Lanes, integrated graphics UHD Graphics 630, market segment Desktop, production status end-of-life, release date 2017, launch MSRP $168, multiplier unlocked.

The Xeon's memory support is DDR3 DDR4, memory bus dual-channel, memory bandwidth 34.1 GB/s, ECC memory true, PCIe Gen 3 Lanes 16 Lanes CPU only, integrated graphics null, market segment Server/Workstation, production status end-of-life, release date 2015.

Specification Differences

The key specifications that differ between the two processors are the core count, threads, base clock, boost clock, TDP, cache, memory support, memory bandwidth, integrated graphics, multiplier unlock status, integrated graphics, market segment, and launch MSRP. The i3-8350K has 4 cores, 4 threads, a base clock of 4.00 GHz base clock and no boost clock, TDP of 91 W, memory support DDR4 memory bus 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, integrated graphics UHD Graphics 630, market segment desktop, launch MSRP $168, multiplier unlocked. The Xeon E3-1270 v5 has 4 cores and 8 threads, base clock 3.60 GHz base clock, boost clock 4.00 GHz, TDP 80 W, memory support DDR3 DDR4 memory bandwidth 34.1 GB/s memory bus, integrated graphics none, market segment server workstation.

The i3 has no boost clock, the Xeon has a 4.00 GHz boost clock. The i3 TDP is 91, the Xeon TDP is 80. The i3 memory support is DDR4 memory bus 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, the Xeon memory support is DDR3 DDR4 memory bandwidth 34.1 GB/s. The i3 integrated graphics is UHD Graphics 630, the Xeon has no integrated graphics. The i3 multiplier unlocked, the Xeon multiplier locked. The i3 launch MSRP is $168, the Xeon launch MSRP is $339.

The i3 has a base clock 4.00 GHz, the Xeon has a base clock 3.60 GHz with a boost clock 4.00 GHz. The i3 has a TDP of 91 watts, the Xeon has a TDP of 80 watts. The i3 memory bus is dual-channel DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, the Xeon memory bus is dual-channel DDR3 or DDR4 with 34.1 GB/s bandwidth.

The i3 has no boost clock, the Xeon has a 4.00 GHz boost clock. The i3 is unlocked, the Xeon is locked. The i3 has UHD Graphics 630, the Xeon has no integrated graphics. The i3 is a desktop chip, the Xeon is server/workstation.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Xeon E3-1270 v5 dominates every recorded benchmark. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 713 against the i3's 593, a 16.8% advantage. The single-core R15 result shows the Xeon at 100 versus 83, a 17% lead. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds. The Xeon scores 2974 multi-core versus 2471 for the i3, a 16.9% difference. Single-core R20 sees the Xeon at 419 versus 348, also 16.9% ahead. The R23 results continue the trend. Xeon multi-core 7082 against i3 5884, a 16.9% gap. Xeon single-core 999 against i3 830, again 16.9%.

The consistency is striking. Every multi-core test shows the Xeon ahead by 16.8% to 16.9%, and every single-core test shows a 16.9% to 17% lead. The Xeon's 8 threads versus 4 threads explain the multi-core advantage, but the single-core lead is more surprising given the i3's higher 4.00 GHz base clock versus the Xeon's 3.60 GHz base clock with 4.00 GHz boost. The recorded data shows no test where the i3 closes the gap.

The Xeon's largest win is in Cinebench R15 single-core at 17% ahead. Its smallest win is in R15 multi-core at 16.8%. These are tiny differences, but the Xeon wins every time without exception.

The i3-8350K has a higher average benchmark score of 2096, versus the Xeon's average is 2048 and 2048 average for the i3. The Xeon's percentile vs all CPUs is 46, the i3's percentile is also 46. The Xeon's nearest rival is Intel Core i7-7820HK with an average score of 2048 and delta of 0 percent. The i3's nearest rival AMD Ryzen 7 1700X has average 2094 with delta 0.1 percent.

The data shows the Xeon E3-1270 v5 is 16.9% faster than the i3-8350K in Cinebench R23 multi-core tests. The i3's Geekbench multi-core score of 4992, single-core 1564, but the Xeon does not have Geekbench results recorded. The average benchmark score for the i3 is 2096, for the Xeon is 2048, and the delta in average scores is 2.3% in favor of the i3, but the head-to-head Cinebench tests all favor the Xeon.