Core i3-3210 vs Xeon E5462

Core i3-3210

2 Cores4 Thrd55 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2013

Xeon E5462

4 Cores4 Thrd80 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2007

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-3210

2 / 4

2,229

+0.7%

2,213

0.0%

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 i3-3210 is positioned at rank 814 and the Xeon E5462 is on rank 955, so the Core i3-3210 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-3210

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

16363%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

15461%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

11226%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

3382%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

2679%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

2344%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

1342%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

1325%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

1206%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

1206%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

1193%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

1160%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

1144%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

1140%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

1129%

#814

Core i3-3210

MSRP: $117|Avg: $25

100%

#815

Celeron G3900E

MSRP: $107|Avg: $35

100%

#816

Athlon II X3 435

MSRP: $87|Avg: $15

99%

#817

Core i7-6822EQ

MSRP: $294|Avg: $190

99%

#818

Athlon II X4 645

MSRP: $126|Avg: $20

99%

#819

Core i5-7400

MSRP: $294|Avg: $70

98%

#820

Pentium E5800

MSRP: $64|Avg: $15

98%

#821

Core i7-6820EQ

MSRP: $378|Avg: $344

98%

#822

A6-9500

MSRP: $101|Avg: $25

97%

#823

Pentium G2120T

MSRP: $87|Avg: $10

97%

#824

Athlon II X2 270

MSRP: $72|Avg: $15

97%

#826

Core i7-6850K

MSRP: $617|Avg: $80

97%

#827

Core i5-2500K

MSRP: $225|Avg: $35

97%

#828

Pentium G3430

MSRP: $116|Avg: $30

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5462

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

32121%

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

6065%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

5388%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

4163%

#529

Xeon Max 9480

MSRP: $12980|Avg: $12980

99%

#530

Xeon E5-2689 v4

MSRP: $2723|Avg: $100

97%

#531

EPYC 7543

MSRP: $10257|Avg: $468

95%

#532

Xeon Platinum 8368Q

MSRP: $7719|Avg: $7719

94%

#533

Xeon Gold 6250

MSRP: $3400|Avg: $2000

93%

#534

Xeon E5-2699 v4

MSRP: $4115|Avg: $400

93%

#955

Xeon E5462

MSRP: $342|Avg: $45

100%

#958

Xeon E5-4650 v2

MSRP: $1723|Avg: $48

98%

#959

Xeon E5-1620 v4

MSRP: $1166|Avg: $160

97%

#963

Xeon E5-2660

MSRP: $1329|Avg: $65

94%

#964

Xeon E5-2667 v3

MSRP: $2057|Avg: $150

94%

#966

Xeon E3110

MSRP: $214|Avg: $158

94%

#969

Xeon L3406

MSRP: $189|Avg: $30

90%

#970

Xeon E5-2687W v2

MSRP: $2112|Avg: $62

90%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i3-3210 (2013) utilizes 22 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i3-3210	Xeon E5462
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($25)	⚠️ Higher cost ($45)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Harpertown (2007−2008) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon E5462 (2007) relies on 45 nm technology and **DDR2, DDR3 Depends on motherboard**, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i3-3210	Xeon E5462
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+81%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($25)	⚠️ Higher cost ($45)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core i3-3210 Benchmark Check

Xeon E5462 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-3210 and Xeon E5462

Core i3-3210

The Core i3-3210 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3072 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,229 points. Launch price was $120.

Xeon E5462

The Xeon E5462 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 November 2007 (18 years ago). It is based on the Harpertown (2007−2008) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA771. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3 Depends on motherboard. Passmark benchmark score: 2,213 points. Launch price was $797.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-3210 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E5462 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon E5462 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i3-3210 versus 2.8 GHz on the Xeon E5462 — a 13.3% clock advantage for the Core i3-3210 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i3-3210 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5462 uses Harpertown (2007−2008) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-3210 scores 2,229 against the Xeon E5462's 2,213 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i3-3210. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 505 vs 363, a 32.7% lead for the Core i3-3210 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,113 vs 1,239 (10.7% advantage for the Xeon E5462). L3 cache: 3072 kB (total) on the Core i3-3210 vs 12 MB L2 Cache on the Xeon E5462.

Feature	Core i3-3210	Xeon E5462
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz+14%	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+14%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	3072 kB (total)	12 MB L2 Cache+300%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	6 MB (total)+2300%
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Harpertown (2007−2008)
PassMark	2,229	2,213
Geekbench 6 Single	505+39%	363
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,113	1,239+11%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-3210 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5462 uses LGA771 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i3-3210 versus DDR2 on the Xeon E5462 — the Core i3-3210 supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5462 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: B75,H77 (Core i3-3210) and 5000P,3210,G31,P35 (Xeon E5462).

Feature	Core i3-3210	Xeon E5462
Socket	LGA1155	LGA771
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600+50%	DDR2
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	64 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	✅	✅
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x virtualization. The Core i3-3210 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2500), while the Xeon E5462 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-3210 targets Budget, Xeon E5462 targets Server. Direct competitor: Core i3-3210 rivals Ryzen 3 1200; Xeon E5462 rivals Athlon 64 X2 4000+.

Feature	Core i3-3210	Xeon E5462
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 2500	—
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x
Target Use	Budget	Server

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i3-3210 launched at $117 MSRP, while the Xeon E5462 debuted at $342. At current prices ($25 vs $45), the Core i3-3210 is $20 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-3210 delivers 89.2 pts/$ vs 49.2 pts/$ for the Xeon E5462 — making the Core i3-3210 the 57.8% better value option.