Core i5-3230M vs Xeon E5450

CPU

GPU

Core i5-3230M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2013

Xeon E5450

4 Cores4 Thrd80 WWMax: 3 GHz2007

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-3230M

2 / 4

2,565

0.0%

2,581

+0.6%

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 i5-3230M is positioned at rank 30 and the Xeon E5450 is on rank 778, so the Core i5-3230M 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 i5-3230M

#18

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

172%

#19

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

169%

#20

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

155%

#21

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

155%

#22

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

153%

#24

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

148%

#25

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

142%

#26

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

142%

#27

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

138%

#30

Core i5-3230M

MSRP: $225|Avg: $13

100%

#31

Atom D525

MSRP: $63|Avg: N/A

100%

#32

Atom x7835RE

MSRP: $127|Avg: N/A

99%

#33

Core 2 Duo P8400

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

97%

#38

Core 2 Duo T8100

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

90%

#39

Atom 330

MSRP: $43|Avg: $30

89%

#43

Core 2 Duo SU7300

MSRP: $289|Avg: N/A

87%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5450

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

16098%

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

3039%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

2700%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

2086%

#450

EPYC 7663

MSRP: $6366|Avg: $6366

100%

#450

EPYC 9565

MSRP: $10486|Avg: $8233

100%

#452

EPYC 9755

MSRP: $12984|Avg: $10931

99%

#454

Xeon Platinum 8368

MSRP: $7214|Avg: $429

99%

#456

EPYC 9575F

MSRP: $11791|Avg: $9238

97%

#778

Xeon E5450

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#782

Xeon X3440

MSRP: $215|Avg: $16

100%

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 i5-3230M (2013) utilizes 22 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i5-3230M	Xeon E5450
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($13)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Harpertown (2007−2008) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon E5450 (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 i5-3230M	Xeon E5450
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($13)	✅ More affordable ($0)

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 i5-3230M Benchmark Check

Xeon E5450 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-3230M and Xeon E5450

Core i5-3230M

The Core i5-3230M 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 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,565 points. Launch price was $225.

Xeon E5450

The Xeon E5450 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 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 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: 2,581 points. Launch price was $915.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-3230M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E5450 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon E5450 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-3230M versus 3 GHz on the Xeon E5450 — a 6.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-3230M (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-3230M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5450 uses Harpertown (2007−2008) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3230M scores 2,565 against the Xeon E5450's 2,581 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon E5450. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3230M vs 12 MB L2 Cache on the Xeon E5450.

Feature	Core i5-3230M	Xeon E5450
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz+7%	3 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	3 GHz+15%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	12 MB L2 Cache+300%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	6 MB (total)+2300%
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Harpertown (2007−2008)
PassMark	2,565	2,581
Geekbench 6 Single	565	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,128	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3230M uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5450 uses LGA771 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-3230M	Xeon E5450
Socket	BGA1023	LGA771
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-3230M) / not specified (Xeon E5450). The Core i5-3230M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Xeon E5450 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3230M targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-3230M rivals Ryzen 5 3500U.