Core i5-4670R vs Xeon E3-1230L v3

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 E3-1230L v3 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 E3-1230L v3: 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

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E3-1230L v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,233 vs 5,297).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E3-1230L v3, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $224 MSRP, while Xeon E3-1230L v3 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E3-1230L v3

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.5% 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.
✅Draws 25W instead of 65W, a 40W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1230L v3 better than Core i5-4670R?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1230L v3 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 gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E3-1230L v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.5% 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 E3-1230L v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

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

Xeon E3-1230L v3 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Xeon E3-1230L v3 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $224 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-4670R only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 5.5% in the shared gaming data.

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

Xeon E3-1230L v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-4670R vs Xeon E3-1230L v3 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 E3-1230L v3

The Xeon E3-1230L v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,297 points. Launch price was $289.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-4670R packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Xeon E3-1230L v3's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-4670R versus 2.8 GHz on the Xeon E3-1230L v3 — a 27.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-4670R (base: 3 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Core i5-4670R uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E3-1230L v3 uses Haswell-WS (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4670R scores 5,233 against the Xeon E3-1230L v3's 5,297 — a 1.2% lead for the Xeon E3-1230L v3. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i5-4670R vs 8192 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1230L v3.

Feature	Core i5-4670R	Xeon E3-1230L v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+32%	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz+67%	1.8 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	8192 kB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)
PassMark	5,233	5,297+1%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4670R uses the BGA1364 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1230L v3 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.