
Core i5-2310 vs Xeon W3580

Core i5-2310

Xeon W3580
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 i5-2310 is positioned at rank 783 and the Xeon W3580 is on rank 797, so the Core i5-2310 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2310
Performance Per Dollar Xeon W3580
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-2310 | Xeon W3580 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($12) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($30) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Bloomfield (2008−2010) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-2310 | Xeon W3580 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+152%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($12) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($30) |
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 i5-2310 and Xeon W3580

Core i5-2310
The Core i5-2310 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 22 May 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,664 points. Launch price was $150.

Xeon W3580
The Xeon W3580 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 August 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.33 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,638 points. Launch price was $215.
Processing Power
The Core i5-2310 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Xeon W3580's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-2310 versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon W3580 — a 11.8% clock advantage for the Xeon W3580 (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.33 GHz). The Core i5-2310 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon W3580 uses Bloomfield (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2310 scores 3,664 against the Xeon W3580's 3,638 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i5-2310. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-2310 vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon W3580.
| Feature | Core i5-2310 | Xeon W3580 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.2 GHz | 3.6 GHz+12% |
| Base Clock | 2.9 GHz | 3.33 GHz+15% |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 8 MB (total)+33% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm-29% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Bloomfield (2008−2010) |
| PassMark | 3,664 | 3,638 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 565 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,740 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-2310 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon W3580 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i5-2310 | Xeon W3580 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | LGA1366 |
| 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: Yes (Core i5-2310) / not specified (Xeon W3580). The Core i5-2310 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 2000), while the Xeon W3580 requires a dedicated GPU.
| Feature | Core i5-2310 | Xeon W3580 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 2000 | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | Yes | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-2310 launched at $177 MSRP, while the Xeon W3580 debuted at $294. At current prices ($12 vs $30), the Core i5-2310 is $18 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-2310 delivers 305.3 pts/$ vs 121.3 pts/$ for the Xeon W3580 — making the Core i5-2310 the 86.3% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-2310 | Xeon W3580 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $177-40% | $294 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $12-60% | $30 |
| Performance per Dollar | 305.3+152% | 121.3 |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2009 |
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