Core i3-1115G4E vs Xeon E3-1230

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i3-1115G4E vs Xeon E3-1230 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i3-1115G4E vs Xeon E3-1230: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-1115G4E

2020

Why buy it

✅+1.7% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 15W instead of 80W, a 65W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (4 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics for 11th Gen (48 EU), while Xeon E3-1230 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E3-1230 across 34 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E3-1230, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $213 MSRP, while Xeon E3-1230 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E3-1230

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.9% higher average FPS across 34 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,144 vs 5,231).
❌433.3% higher power demand at 80W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-1115G4E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-1115G4E better than Xeon E3-1230?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1230 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i3-1115G4E is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-1115G4E is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.7% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i3-1115G4E is the better buy right now. Core i3-1115G4E comes in at an unclear MSRP at $213 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E3-1230 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 8.9% average FPS lead across 34 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (24.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-1115G4E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2011), more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-1115G4E vs Xeon E3-1230 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i3-1115G4E

The Core i3-1115G4E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 September 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1449. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, LPDDR4X. Passmark benchmark score: 5,231 points. Launch price was $285.

Xeon E3-1230

The Xeon E3-1230 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 April 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,144 points. Launch price was $428.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-1115G4E packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E3-1230 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Xeon E3-1230 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-1115G4E versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E3-1230 — a 8% clock advantage for the Core i3-1115G4E (base: 2.2 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i3-1115G4E uses the Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Xeon E3-1230 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-1115G4E scores 5,231 against the Xeon E3-1230's 5,144 — a 1.7% lead for the Core i3-1115G4E. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-1115G4E vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1230.

Feature	Core i3-1115G4E	Xeon E3-1230
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+8%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	3.2 GHz+45%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+400%	256 kB (per core)
Process	10 nm-69%	32 nm
Architecture	Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	5,231+2%	5,144
Geekbench 6 Single	1,506	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-1115G4E uses the FCBGA1449 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E3-1230 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-1115G4E	Xeon E3-1230
Socket	FCBGA1449	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+100%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	4	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-1115G4E) / not specified (Xeon E3-1230). The Core i3-1115G4E includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics for 11th Gen (48 EU)), while the Xeon E3-1230 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-1115G4E targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i3-1115G4E rivals Ryzen Embedded V2516.