Core i5-4590S vs Xeon E3-1230

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 i5-4590S vs Xeon E3-1230 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 i5-4590S vs Xeon E3-1230: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4590S

2014

Why buy it

✅Draws 65W instead of 80W, a 15W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4600, while Xeon E3-1230 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Xeon E3-1230.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E3-1230 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,131 vs 5,144).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E3-1230, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $192 MSRP, while Xeon E3-1230 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E3-1230

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads.

Trade-offs

❌23.1% higher power demand at 80W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-4590S can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-4590S.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1230 better than Core i5-4590S?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1230 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-4590S is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E3-1230 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.3% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1230 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Xeon E3-1230 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Xeon E3-1230 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-4590S only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2014 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (26.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1150.

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

Core i5-4590S makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-4590S vs Xeon E3-1230 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-4590S

The Core i5-4590S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,131 points. Launch price was $291.

Xeon E3-1230

The Xeon E3-1230 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 April 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,144 points. Launch price was $428.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-4590S packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Xeon E3-1230's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-4590S versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E3-1230 — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-4590S (base: 3 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i5-4590S uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E3-1230 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4590S scores 5,131 against the Xeon E3-1230's 5,144 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon E3-1230. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-4590S vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1230.

Feature	Core i5-4590S	Xeon E3-1230
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+3%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.2 GHz+7%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	5,131	5,144
Geekbench 6 Single	1,116	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4590S uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1230 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-4590S	Xeon E3-1230
Socket	LGA1150	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-4590S) / not specified (Xeon E3-1230). The Core i5-4590S includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Xeon E3-1230 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4590S targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-4590S rivals A10-7850K.