Core i5-2550K vs Xeon Gold 6230N

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 i5-2550K vs Xeon Gold 6230N 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 i5-2550K vs Xeon Gold 6230N: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-2550K

2012

Why buy it

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 95W instead of 125W, a 30W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Xeon Gold 6230N.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 6230N across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 28 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon Gold 6230N, which brings 20 cores / 40 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $235 MSRP, while Xeon Gold 6230N mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon Gold 6230N

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +21.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+358.3% larger total L3 cache (28 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 20 cores / 40 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,175 vs 4,228).
❌31.6% higher power demand at 125W vs 95W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-2550K.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-2550K better than Xeon Gold 6230N?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon Gold 6230N makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-2550K 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 i5-2550K is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-2550K is the better buy right now. Core i5-2550K comes in at an unclear MSRP at $235 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon Gold 6230N is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 21.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (18.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Xeon Gold 6230N makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2012) and 358.3% larger total L3 cache (28 MB vs 6 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-2550K vs Xeon Gold 6230N Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-2550K

The Core i5-2550K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (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: 4,228 points. Launch price was $189.

Xeon Gold 6230N

The Xeon Gold 6230N is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 20 cores and 40 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 27.5 MB. L2 cache: 20 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 4,175 points. Launch price was $2,046.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-2550K packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6230N offers 20 cores / 40 threads — the Xeon Gold 6230N has 16 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-2550K versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6230N — a 8.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-2550K (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i5-2550K uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6230N uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2550K scores 4,228 against the Xeon Gold 6230N's 4,175 — a 1.3% lead for the Core i5-2550K. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2550K vs 27.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 6230N.

Feature	Core i5-2550K	Xeon Gold 6230N
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	20 / 40+400%
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+9%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+48%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	6144 kB (total)	27.5 MB+358%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	20 MB+7900%
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark	4,228+1%	4,175
Cinebench R23 Multi	4,058	—
Geekbench 6 Single	707	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,010	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-2550K uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon Gold 6230N uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-2550K	Xeon Gold 6230N
Socket	LGA1155	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—