Core i7-3770S vs Xeon E5-2430L v2

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 i7-3770S vs Xeon E5-2430L v2 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 i7-3770S vs Xeon E5-2430L v2: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-3770S

2012

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4000, while Xeon E5-2430L v2 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Xeon E5-2430L v2.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2430L v2 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,173 vs 6,190).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 15 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2430L v2, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $250 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2430L v2 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-2430L v2

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads.
✅Draws 60W instead of 65W, a 5W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-3770S can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-3770S.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2430L v2 better than Core i7-3770S?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2430L v2 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-3770S 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 E5-2430L v2 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.5% 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 E5-2430L v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2430L v2 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Xeon E5-2430L v2 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-3770S only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (24.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

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

Xeon E5-2430L v2 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2012), 87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-3770S vs Xeon E5-2430L v2 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-3770S

The Core i7-3770S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,173 points. Launch price was $330.

Xeon E5-2430L v2

The Xeon E5-2430L v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 60 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 6,190 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-3770S packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2430L v2 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2430L v2 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-3770S versus 2.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-2430L v2 — a 32.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-3770S (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i7-3770S is built on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i7-3770S scores 6,173 against the Xeon E5-2430L v2's 6,190 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon E5-2430L v2. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total) on the Core i7-3770S vs 15 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon E5-2430L v2.

Feature	Core i7-3770S	Xeon E5-2430L v2
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+39%	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+29%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	8192 kB (total)	15 MB Intel® Smart Cache+88%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	—
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	—
PassMark	6,173	6,190
Cinebench R23 Multi	4,500	—
Geekbench 6 Single	694	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,303	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3770S uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2430L v2 uses LGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-3770S	Xeon E5-2430L v2
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
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 (Core i7-3770S) / not specified (Xeon E5-2430L v2). The Core i7-3770S includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Xeon E5-2430L v2 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-3770S targets Budget.