Intel Core i3-9100E vs Intel Xeon E3-1268L v5 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data paints a clear picture: the Intel Core i3-9100E wins every single recorded test in this comparison. Across all six Cinebench workloads, ranging from the older R15 suite to the current R23 version, the Core i3-9100E holds a consistent advantage. Its wins are not narrow, situational victories; they appear in both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads, indicating a broad performance lead rather than a specialized one.

The Core i3-9100E is the default choice for tasks that rely on raw per-core speed. In single-core workloads, its higher base and boost clocks translate directly into superior scores. This matters most for applications where responsiveness and single-thread latency are critical, such as older software, certain simulation tools, and general desktop use. The data shows a lead of 2.6% in Cinebench R15 single-core and 3.0% in R23 single-core, reinforcing that the Core i3-9100E handles lightly threaded work with more authority.

For multi-threaded scenarios, the Core i3-9100E also comes out ahead, but the margin is slightly different. Its lead is a steady 3.1% across the R15 and R20 multi-core tests and the R23 multi-core test. This is notable because the Xeon E3-1268L v5 has twice the thread count. Despite the Xeon’s 8 threads versus the Core i3’s 4 threads, the Core i3-9100E’s higher clock speeds and newer architecture are enough to overcome the thread-count deficit. The Xeon E3-1268L v5 is not without its own merits, but they are not found in the benchmark results. Its advantage is purely power efficiency, drawing only 35 W TDP versus 65 W for the Core i3-9100E. For passive cooling or low-power server environments, the Xeon is the viable candidate, but in terms of raw compute, the Core i3-9100E is the winner.

Architecture Differences

These two processors represent different generations and design philosophies from Intel. The Core i3-9100E is built on the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake Refresh, released in 2018. It uses a 14 nm process node with a die size of 126 mm². The Xeon E3-1268L v5, on the other hand, is based on the Skylake architecture (Skylake-DT) and was released earlier, in 2015. It is also built on a 14 nm node, but with a slightly smaller die size of 122 mm².

The fundamental architectural difference lies in their core configurations. The Core i3-9100E is a 4-core, 4-thread processor, meaning it does not use simultaneous multithreading, and each core handles a single thread. The Xeon E3-1268L v5 is also a 4-core processor, but it supports Hyper-Threading, bringing the thread count to 8. This is a significant feature for the Xeon, allowing it to process more commands in parallel.

Cache configurations also differ. Both share 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. However, the Core i3-9100E has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Xeon E3-1268L v5 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger L3 pool on the Xeon is a typical server-oriented feature, providing more room for frequently accessed data.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The Core i3-9100E packs the UHD Graphics 630, while the Xeon E3-1268L v5 uses the HD Graphics P530. Both are integrated, but they target different markets, with the UHD 630 being more common in consumer desktop parts. The Xeon also supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, whereas the Core i3-9100E is limited to DDR4 only. Both use a dual-channel memory bus and support ECC memory.

The Xeon’s market segment is listed as Server/Workstation, reflecting its intended use in always-on environments. The Core i3-9100E is a Desktop part. Despite being a server chip, the Xeon’s TDP is much lower at 35 W, compared to the Core i3-9100E’s 65 W, which is a defining trait for the Xeon’s low-power design.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a uniform outcome: the Core i3-9100E wins all six head-to-head benchmarks. There is no single test where the Xeon E3-1268L v5 is ahead. The consistency of the 3% margins is remarkable, suggesting a stable performance gap across different workloads.

Looking at multi-core performance, the Core i3-9100E scores 559 in Cinebench R15 multi-core, while the Xeon E3-1268L v5 scores 542. That is a delta of 3.1 percent. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the scores are 2330 and 2260, also a 3.1 percent delta. In the newer Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core i3-9100E hits 5549, and the Xeon E3-1268L v5 reaches 5383, again a 3.1 percent delta. This shows that the Core i3-9100E’s higher clocks are able to outpace the Xeon’s extra threads, even in a heavily multi-threaded render workload.

The single-core results tell a similar story with slightly smaller margins. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Core i3-9100E scores 78, and the Xeon scores 76, a 2.6 percent delta. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Core i3-9100E scores 328, and the Xeon scores 319, a 2.8 percent delta. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Core i3-9100E scores 783, and the Xeon scores 760, a 3.0 percent delta. Even with lower thread count, the Core i3-9100E’s boost clock of 3.70 GHz, compared to the Xeon’s 3.40 GHz, ensures it maintains the edge in all tests.

The average benchmark score for the Core i3-9100E is 1605, and the Xeon E3-1268L v5 sits at 1557. This places the Core i3-9100E in the 39th percentile of all CPUs, and the Xeon in the same 39th percentile, though with a lower average score. The Core i3-9100E’s nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E3-1240L v5 (1609) and the Intel Core i7-10610U (1611), showing the Core i3-9100E is just behind them. The Xeon’s nearest rival is the AMD FX-8350 with the same average score of 1557, and the Intel Core i3-1115G4E at 1559.

Specification Differences

The two processors share an Intel Socket 1151, but they differ in several key specifications:

• Base Clock: The Core i3-9100E operates at 3.10 GHz, while the Xeon E3-1268L v5 runs at 2.40 GHz.
• Boost Clock: The Core i3-9100E boosts to 3.70 GHz, while the Xeon E3-1268L v5 boosts to 3.40 GHz.
• Threads: The Core i3-9100E has 4 threads. The Xeon E3-1268L v5 has 8 threads.
• L3 Cache: The Core i3-9100E has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Xeon E3-1268L v5 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache.
• TDP: The Core i3-9100E has a TDP of 65 W, while the Xeon E3-1268L v5 has a TDP of 35 W.
• Memory Support: The Core i3-9100E supports DDR4 only. The Xeon E3-1268L v5 supports both DDR3 and DDR4.
• Memory Bandwidth: The Core i3-9100E has a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, whereas the Xeon E3-1268L v5 has a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s.
• Integrated Graphics: The Core i3-9100E has UHD Graphics 630, while the Xeon E3-1268L v5 has HD Graphics P530.
• Transistor Count: The Xeon E3-1268L v5 has 1,750 million transistors, while the Core i3-9100E data does not list this figure.
• Die Size: The Core i3-9100E has a die size of 126 mm², while the Xeon E3-1268L v5 is 122 mm².
• Release Date: The Core i3-9100E was released in 2018, and the Xeon E3-1268L v5 was released in 2015.
• Part Number: The Core i3-9100E is identified as SRGE0SRGQY, while the Xeon E3-1268L v5 is SR2LQ.

Both parts are end-of-life and have no multiplier unlocked.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i3-9100E is faster in all multi-core tests. It scores 559, 2330, and 5549 in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 respectively, while the Xeon E3-1268L v5 scores 542, 2260, and 5383.

Q: Does the Xeon E3-1268L v5 have more threads than the Core i3-9100E?

A: Yes, the Xeon E3-1268L v5 has 8 threads (4 cores with Hyper-Threading), while the Core i3-9100E has 4 threads (4 cores without Hyper-Threading).

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Core i3-9100E has a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the Xeon E3-1268L v5 has a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Xeon E3-1268L v5 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Core i3-9100E has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Are both processors compatible with ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i3-9100E and the Intel Xeon E3-1268L v5 have ECC memory support.

Q: In which percentile of all CPUs does each processor fall?

A: Both the Core i3-9100E and the Xeon E3-1268L v5 are in the 39th percentile of all CPUs. However, the Core i3-9100E has a higher average benchmark score of 1605 compared to the Xeon’s 1557.