Core i7-8650U vs Xeon E3-1230 v2

Core i7-8650U

4 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2017

Xeon E3-1230 v2

4 Cores8 Thrd69 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2012

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-8650U

4 / 8

6,194

0.0%

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.

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 i7-8650U is positioned at rank 904 and the Xeon E3-1230 v2 is on rank 500, so the Xeon E3-1230 v2 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 i7-8650U

#891

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1563%

#892

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1540%

#893

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1414%

#894

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1408%

#895

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1395%

#897

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1347%

#898

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1291%

#899

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1289%

#900

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1255%

#903

Core i7-8809G

MSRP: $450|Avg: $450

100%

#904

Core i7-8650U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#910

Core i7-6820HK

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

99%

#911

Athlon II Neo K325

MSRP: $60|Avg: $25

99%

#918

Core i5-8365UE

MSRP: $297|Avg: $297

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1230 v2

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

7216%

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

1362%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

1210%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

935%

#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%

#500

Xeon E3-1230 v2

MSRP: $215|Avg: $268

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 i7-8650U (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i7-8650U	Xeon E3-1230 v2
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($268)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon E3-1230 v2 (2012) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i7-8650U	Xeon E3-1230 v2
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($268)

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.

Core i7-8650U Benchmark Check

Xeon E3-1230 v2 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-8650U and Xeon E3-1230 v2

Core i7-8650U

The Core i7-8650U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 August 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,194 points. Launch price was $409.

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.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-8650U and Xeon E3-1230 v2 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i7-8650U versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon E3-1230 v2 — a 12.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-8650U (base: 1.9 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i7-8650U uses the Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1230 v2 uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-8650U scores 6,194 against the Xeon E3-1230 v2's 6,191 — a 0% lead for the Core i7-8650U. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-8650U	Xeon E3-1230 v2
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+14%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	1.9 GHz	3.3 GHz+74%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	6,194	6,191
Geekbench 6 Single	—	821
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	3,223

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-8650U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1230 v2 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.