Core i7-6700TE vs Xeon E3-1230 v2

CPU

GPU

Core i7-6700TE

4 Cores8 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2015

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Xeon E3-1230 v2

4 Cores8 Thrd69 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2012

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Core i7-6700TE vs Xeon E3-1230 v2 Performance Spectrum

Core i7-6700TE

4 / 8

6,203

+0.2%

6,191

0.0%

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.

Core i7-6700TE vs Xeon E3-1230 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 i7-6700TE vs Xeon E3-1230 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 i7-6700TE

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Draws 35W instead of 69W, a 34W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 530, while Xeon E3-1230 v2 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E3-1230 v2 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 20.5 vs 28.8 PassMark/$ ($303 MSRP vs $215 MSRP).

Xeon E3-1230 v2

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $88 less on MSRP ($215 MSRP vs $303 MSRP).
✅Delivers 40.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 28.8 vs 20.5 PassMark/$ ($215 MSRP vs $303 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (3,223 vs 3,244).
❌97.1% higher power demand at 69W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-6700TE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-6700TE better than Xeon E3-1230 v2?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1230 v2 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-6700TE 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 i7-6700TE is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-6700TE is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E3-1230 v2 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-6700TE comes in 40.9% more expensive on MSRP at $303 MSRP versus $215 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better Geekbench multi-core. The compromise is that Xeon E3-1230 v2 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E3-1230 v2 is also 40.7% better value on MSRP (28.8 vs 20.5 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core i7-6700TE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-6700TE vs Xeon E3-1230 v2 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-6700TE

The Core i7-6700TE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,203 points. Launch price was $303.

Xeon E3-1230 v2

The Xeon E3-1230 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 69 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,191 points. Launch price was $360.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-6700TE and Xeon E3-1230 v2 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-6700TE versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon E3-1230 v2 — a 8.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1230 v2 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i7-6700TE uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1230 v2 uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-6700TE scores 6,203 against the Xeon E3-1230 v2's 6,191 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i7-6700TE. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 914 vs 821, a 10.7% lead for the Core i7-6700TE that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 3,244 vs 3,223 (0.6% advantage for the Core i7-6700TE). Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-6700TE	Xeon E3-1230 v2
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	3.7 GHz+9%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	3.3 GHz+38%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	6,203	6,191
Geekbench 6 Single	914+11%	821
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,244	3,223

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-6700TE uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1230 v2 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Core i7-6700TE versus DDR3-1600 on the Xeon E3-1230 v2 — the Core i7-6700TE supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-6700TE supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: 100-series (Core i7-6700TE) and C216,C206,C204,C202 (Xeon E3-1230 v2).

Feature	Core i7-6700TE	Xeon E3-1230 v2
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133+33%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-6700TE) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E3-1230 v2). The Core i7-6700TE includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 530), while the Xeon E3-1230 v2 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-6700TE targets Gaming, Xeon E3-1230 v2 targets Server. Direct competitor: Core i7-6700TE rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i7-6700TE	Xeon E3-1230 v2
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 530	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming	Server

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-6700TE was priced at $303, while the Xeon E3-1230 v2 came in at $215. On launch pricing ($303 vs $215), Xeon E3-1230 v2 was $88 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-6700TE delivers 20.5 pts/$ vs 28.8 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1230 v2 — making the Xeon E3-1230 v2 the 33.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-6700TE	Xeon E3-1230 v2
MSRP	$303	$215-29%
Performance per Dollar	20.5	28.8+40%
Release Date	2015	2012

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