Core i7-4800MQ vs Xeon E5-2430

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 i7-4800MQ vs Xeon E5-2430 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 i7-4800MQ vs Xeon E5-2430: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-4800MQ

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 47W instead of 95W, a 48W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 15 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2430, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $380 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2430 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-2430

2012

Why buy it

✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4800MQ across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,755 vs 5,773).
❌102.1% higher power demand at 95W vs 47W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4800MQ better than Xeon E5-2430?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2430 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-4800MQ is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-4800MQ is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.8% 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, Core i7-4800MQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-4800MQ is the better buy right now. Core i7-4800MQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at $380 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (15.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-4800MQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-4800MQ vs Xeon E5-2430 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-4800MQ

The Core i7-4800MQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,773 points. Launch price was $378.

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.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-4800MQ 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 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-4800MQ versus 2.7 GHz on the Xeon E5-2430 — a 31.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-4800MQ (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i7-4800MQ uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-2430 uses Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4800MQ scores 5,773 against the Xeon E5-2430's 5,755 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i7-4800MQ. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4800MQ vs 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2430.

Feature	Core i7-4800MQ	Xeon E5-2430
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+37%	2.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+23%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	15360 kB (total)+88%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Sandy Bridge-EN (2012)
PassMark	5,773	5,755

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4800MQ uses the PGA946 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2430 uses LGA1356 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.