CPU
GPU
Core i3-2130
Xeon X3230
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i3-2130 is positioned at rank 899 and the Xeon X3230 is on rank 865, so the Xeon X3230 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-2130
Performance Per Dollar Xeon X3230
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-2130 | Xeon X3230 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($138) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 65 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-2130 | Xeon X3230 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($138) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-2130 and Xeon X3230
Core i3-2130
The Core i3-2130 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 September 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,067 points. Launch price was $123.
Xeon X3230
The Xeon X3230 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. Base frequency: 2.66 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB L2 Cache. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,052 points. Launch price was $800.
Processing Power
The Core i3-2130 is built on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i3-2130 scores 2,067 against the Xeon X3230's 2,052 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i3-2130. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2130 vs 8 MB L2 Cache on the Xeon X3230.
| Feature | Core i3-2130 | Xeon X3230 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | — |
| Boost Clock | 3.4 GHz | — |
| Base Clock | 3.4 GHz+28% | 2.66 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 8 MB L2 Cache+167% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | — |
| Process | 32 nm-51% | 65 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | — |
| PassMark | 2,067 | 2,052 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 505 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-2130 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon X3230 uses LGA775 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-2130 | Xeon X3230 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | LGA775 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, EPT (Core i3-2130) / not specified (Xeon X3230). The Core i3-2130 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2000), while the Xeon X3230 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-2130 targets Mainstream Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-2130 rivals Pentium G860.
| Feature | Core i3-2130 | Xeon X3230 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 2000 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, EPT | — |
| Target Use | Mainstream Desktop | — |
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The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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