Core i5-8265U
VS
Xeon E5-2430

Core i5-8265U vs Xeon E5-2430

Intel

Core i5-8265U

4 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2018
VS
Intel

Xeon E5-2430

6 Cores12 Thrd95 WWMax: 2.7 GHz2012

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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 i5-8265U is positioned at rank 353 and the Xeon E5-2430 is on rank 501, so the Core i5-8265U 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 i5-8265U

#102
Core i3-1220P
MSRP: $250|Avg: $150
100%
#107
Core Ultra 5 228V
MSRP: $295|Avg: $295
99%
#341
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
505%
#342
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
497%
#343
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
457%
#344
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
455%
#345
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
450%
#347
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
435%
#348
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
417%
#349
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
416%
#350
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
405%
#353
Core i5-8265U
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2430

#1
Xeon Platinum 8454H
MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A
7221%
#6
Xeon Gold 6240R
MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A
1363%
#10
Xeon 6337P
MSRP: $60|Avg: $5
1211%
#15
EPYC 9174F
MSRP: $194|Avg: $30
936%
#311
Xeon w7-3545
MSRP: $2039|Avg: $2039
100%
#312
EPYC 7643P
MSRP: $2722|Avg: $2722
99%
#313
Xeon w5-3435X
MSRP: $1589|Avg: $163
99%
#314
Xeon Gold 6312U
MSRP: $1645|Avg: N/A
98%
#315
EPYC 7443
MSRP: $2010|Avg: $1800
98%
#316
Xeon Gold 6416H
MSRP: $1845|Avg: N/A
98%
#501
Xeon E5-2430
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#505
Xeon D-1521
MSRP: $199|Avg: $241
100%
#513
Xeon E3-1220 v5
MSRP: $203|Avg: $100
98%
#515
Xeon X5690
MSRP: $250|Avg: $250
98%
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 i5-8265U (2018) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightCore i5-8265UXeon E5-2430
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing
Longevity
✨ Modern (Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) / 14 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon E5-2430 (2012) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightCore i5-8265UXeon E5-2430
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing

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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-8265U and Xeon E5-2430

Intel

Core i5-8265U

The Core i5-8265U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,812 points. Launch price was $297.

Intel

Xeon E5-2430

The Xeon E5-2430 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,755 points. Launch price was $119.

Processing Power

The Core i5-8265U packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2430 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2430 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-8265U versus 2.7 GHz on the Xeon E5-2430 — a 36.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-8265U (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i5-8265U uses the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2430 uses Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8265U scores 5,812 against the Xeon E5-2430's 5,755 — a 1% lead for the Core i5-8265U. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-8265U vs 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2430.

FeatureCore i5-8265UXeon E5-2430
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock
3.9 GHz+44%
2.7 GHz
Base Clock
1.6 GHz
2.2 GHz+38%
L3 Cache
6 MB (total)
15360 kB (total)+150%
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
256 kB (per core)
Process
14 nm-56%
32 nm
Architecture
Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019)
Sandy Bridge-EN (2012)
PassMark
5,812
5,755
Cinebench R23 Multi
3,000
Geekbench 6 Single
1,200
Geekbench 6 Multi
3,500
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8265U uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2430 uses LGA1356 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-8265UXeon E5-2430
Socket
FCBGA1528
LGA1356
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-8265U) / not specified (Xeon E5-2430). The Core i5-8265U includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 620), while the Xeon E5-2430 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8265U targets Mainstream Laptop.

FeatureCore i5-8265UXeon E5-2430
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel UHD Graphics 620
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Mainstream Laptop