Intel Processor U300 vs Intel Xeon E3-1285 v4 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1285 v4 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Processor U300 has 5 cores and 6 threads. The U300 has one additional core, but the Xeon has two additional threads due to its simultaneous multithreading.

Q: What are the boost clock speeds of these two CPUs?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1285 v4 boosts to 3.80 GHz, while the Intel Processor U300 boosts to 4.40 GHz. The U300 has a significantly higher boost ceiling, which explains its large single-core advantage.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1285 v4 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Processor U300 does not. This makes the Xeon suitable for server or workstation environments where data integrity is critical.

Q: What is the difference in their market segments?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1285 v4 is classified as a Server/Workstation part and is end-of-life, while the Intel Processor U300 is a Mobile processor and is currently active in production.

Q: How do the two processors compare in Cinebench R23 multicore performance?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1285 v4 scores 6596 in Cinebench R23 multicore, which is 34.5% higher than the Intel Processor U300's score of 4905. The Xeon wins this test decisively.

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1285 v4 has an average benchmark score of 1908, while the Intel Processor U300 has an average of 1881. The Xeon is slightly ahead by about 1.4% in overall average performance.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different architectural eras and design philosophies. The Intel Xeon E3-1285 v4 is built on the Broadwell-DT architecture using a 14 nm process node, with a die size of 182 mm². It uses the Intel Socket 1150 platform and is fabricated by Intel. In contrast, the Intel Processor U300 is based on the Raptor Lake-U architecture on a 10 nm process node, using the Intel BGA 1744 socket. The die size for the U300 is not recorded in the database.

The cache hierarchies differ substantially. The Xeon E3-1285 v4 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Processor U300 has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, a much larger 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger L2 cache per core on the U300 reflects a modern design optimized for higher per-core throughput.

Memory support diverges as well. The Xeon E3-1285 v4 supports DDR3 memory with dual-channel configuration and a recorded memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s. The Intel Processor U300 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration, though its memory bandwidth is not listed in the database. ECC memory is supported on the Xeon but not on the U300, reinforcing the Xeon's server-grade positioning.

PCIe capabilities also differ. The Xeon E3-1285 v4 provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the U300 provides PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only). The newer PCIe generation on the U300 offers higher per-lane bandwidth, though the Xeon has more lanes available.

Integrated graphics are another differentiator. The Xeon E3-1285 v4 ships with Intel Iris Pro P6300, while the Intel Processor U300 includes UHD Graphics 48EU. The Xeon's integrated GPU targets workstation-class visual tasks, whereas the U300's graphics are aimed at mobile efficiency.

The release dates are far apart: the Xeon E3-1285 v4 was released on 2015-06-01, while the Intel Processor U300 arrived on 2023-01-03. The Xeon is end-of-life, while the U300 remains active. Both processors have locked multipliers, so neither supports overclocking.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E3-1285 v4 wins in sustained multicore workloads that stress all threads simultaneously. The Cinebench R23 multicore result is the clearest indicator: the Xeon scores 6596 versus the U300's 4905, a 34.5% advantage. This suggests the Xeon is better suited for rendering, scientific computing, or any task that can fully utilize its 8 threads with consistent power delivery. The Xeon's 95 W TDP and server-oriented design allow it to maintain high multicore throughput, whereas the U300's 15 W mobile envelope limits sustained all-core performance.

The Intel Processor U300 wins decisively in single-core performance and lighter multithreaded workloads. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the U300 scores 781 against the Xeon's 664, a 15% lead. This indicates that for workloads with modest thread counts but high clock demand, the U300's 4.40 GHz boost clock and modern architecture provide a tangible edge. The U300 also wins in Cinebench R15 single-core with 222 versus 93, a massive 58.1% advantage, and in Cinebench R23 single-core with 1616 versus 931, a 42.4% lead.

The U300 is the better choice for mobile platforms, given its 15 W TDP and active production status. Its support for DDR4 and DDR5 memory makes it more adaptable to current system builds. The Xeon E3-1285 v4, with its ECC memory support and 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, is more appropriate for legacy server or workstation platforms where reliability and memory integrity are paramount.

For users upgrading an older Socket 1150 system, the Xeon E3-1285 v4 offers a substantial multicore performance boost over typical consumer chips of its era. For new mobile or low-power builds, the U300 provides superior single-core responsiveness and modern platform features.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E3-1285 v4 | Intel Processor U300 |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 4 | 5 |

| Threads | 8 | 6 |

| Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 1200.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.80 GHz | 4.40 GHz |

| TDP | 95 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | Intel BGA 1744 |

| Architecture | Broadwell | Raptor Lake |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 10 nm |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 29.9 GB/s | Not recorded |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 8 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel Iris Pro P6300 | UHD Graphics 48EU |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Mobile |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2015-06-01 | 2023-01-03 |

| Launch MSRP | $556 | $193 |

The base clock difference is striking: the Xeon runs at 3.50 GHz base, while the U300 has a base clock of 1200.00 MHz. This reflects the U300's mobile efficiency design, which relies on boosting to 4.40 GHz for performance bursts. The Xeon's higher base clock ensures consistent performance under sustained loads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark results reveal a clear split between single-core and multicore performance. The Intel Processor U300 wins three of the four recorded tests, but the Intel Xeon E3-1285 v4 takes the most demanding one.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the U300 scores 781 against the Xeon's 664, a delta of -15% from the Xeon's perspective. This means the U300 outperforms the Xeon by 15% in this older rendering benchmark. The U300's 5 cores, even with fewer threads, generate enough aggregate throughput to overcome the Xeon's 8-thread advantage in this test.

Cinebench R15 single-core shows the largest gap of any benchmark: the U300 scores 222 versus the Xeon's 93, a delta of -58.1%. This is an enormous single-core advantage, more than doubling the Xeon's performance. The U300's 4.40 GHz boost clock, combined with the newer Raptor Lake architecture, explains this result. The Xeon's 3.80 GHz boost and 2015-era Broadwell design simply cannot compete on a per-thread basis.

The Cinebench R23 multicore result flips the narrative. Here, the Xeon E3-1285 v4 scores 6596, while the U300 scores 4905, giving the Xeon a 34.5% advantage. This is the largest multicore win in either direction. The R23 workload is more demanding and longer-running than R15, which likely allows the Xeon's 95 W TDP and sustained all-core operation to shine. The U300's 15 W mobile power budget appears to throttle its multicore performance under extended load.

Cinebench R23 single-core shows the U300 winning again, with 1616 against the Xeon's 931, a delta of -42.4%. While not as extreme as the R15 single-core gap, this still represents a substantial lead for the U300 in single-threaded performance.

Overall, the benchmark data indicates that the Intel Processor U300 dominates in single-core scenarios and lighter multicore tasks, while the Intel Xeon E3-1285 v4 excels in heavy, sustained multicore workloads. The average benchmark scores are close, with the Xeon at 1908 and the U300 at 1881, but the distribution of performance is very different. The Xeon's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E5-2620 v3 with an average score of 1907, and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE at 1910. The U300's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 at 1882 and the Intel Xeon E3-1545M v5 at 1879. Both processors sit at the 43rd percentile among all CPUs, indicating they are mid-pack performers in the broader database.