Core i5-4670R 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 i5-4670R 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 i5-4670R 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 i5-4670R

2013

Why buy it

✅+1.7% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 65W instead of 80W, a 15W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E3-1230 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E3-1230, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $224 MSRP, while Xeon E3-1230 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E3-1230

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,144 vs 5,233).
❌23.1% higher power demand at 80W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4670R better than Xeon E3-1230?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1230 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-4670R 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 i5-4670R is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-4670R is the better buy right now. Core i5-4670R comes in at an unclear MSRP at $224 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E3-1230 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 4.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (23.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-4670R makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-4670R vs Xeon E3-1230 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-4670R

The Core i5-4670R is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2013 (12 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: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,233 points. Launch price was $149.

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 i5-4670R packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Xeon E3-1230's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-4670R versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E3-1230 — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-4670R (base: 3 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i5-4670R uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E3-1230 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4670R scores 5,233 against the Xeon E3-1230's 5,144 — a 1.7% lead for the Core i5-4670R. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i5-4670R vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1230.

Feature	Core i5-4670R	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	4 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	5,233+2%	5,144

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4670R uses the BGA1364 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1230 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.