
Core i3-530 vs Xeon X5270

Core i3-530

Xeon X5270
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 i3-530 is positioned at rank 933 and the Xeon X5270 is on rank 928, so the Xeon X5270 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-530
Performance Per Dollar Xeon X5270
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-530 | Xeon X5270 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($15) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Clarkdale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-530 | Xeon X5270 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($15) | ✅ 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 i3-530 and Xeon X5270

Core i3-530
The Core i3-530 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.93 GHz, with boost up to 0.93 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,516 points. Launch price was $60.

Xeon X5270
The Xeon X5270 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. Base frequency: 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA771. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,524 points. Launch price was $800.
Processing Power
The Core i3-530 is built on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i3-530 scores 1,516 against the Xeon X5270's 1,524 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon X5270. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-530 vs 6 MB L2 Cache on the Xeon X5270.
| Feature | Core i3-530 | Xeon X5270 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | — |
| Boost Clock | 0.93 GHz | — |
| Base Clock | 2.93 GHz | 3.5 GHz+19% |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total) | 6 MB L2 Cache+50% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | — |
| Process | 32 nm-29% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Clarkdale (2010−2011) | — |
| PassMark | 1,516 | 1,524 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-530 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon X5270 uses LGA771 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-530 | Xeon X5270 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1156 | LGA771 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
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