
FX-8370 vs Xeon E3-1230 v2

FX-8370

Xeon E3-1230 v2
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 FX-8370 is positioned at rank 583 and the Xeon E3-1230 v2 is on rank 500, so the Xeon E3-1230 v2 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar FX-8370
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1230 v2
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | FX-8370 | Xeon E3-1230 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($100) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($268) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Vishera (2012−2015) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | FX-8370 | Xeon E3-1230 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+168%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($100) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($268) |
Performance Check
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 FX-8370 and Xeon E3-1230 v2

FX-8370
The FX-8370 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2 September 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L2 cache: 8192 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,184 points. Launch price was $199.

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
The FX-8370 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E3-1230 v2 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the FX-8370 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the FX-8370 versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon E3-1230 v2 — a 15% clock advantage for the FX-8370 (base: 4 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The FX-8370 uses the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E3-1230 v2 uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the FX-8370 scores 6,184 against the Xeon E3-1230 v2's 6,191 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E3-1230 v2. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 520 vs 821, a 44.9% lead for the Xeon E3-1230 v2 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 2,050 vs 3,223 (44.5% advantage for the Xeon E3-1230 v2).
| Feature | FX-8370 | Xeon E3-1230 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 8+100% | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 4.3 GHz+16% | 3.7 GHz |
| Base Clock | 4 GHz+21% | 3.3 GHz |
| L3 Cache | — | 8 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 8192 kB+3100% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 22 nm-31% |
| Architecture | Vishera (2012−2015) | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) |
| PassMark | 6,184 | 6,191 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 3,800 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 520 | 821+58% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 2,050 | 3,223+57% |
Memory & Platform
The FX-8370 uses the AM3+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E3-1230 v2 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1866 memory speed. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (FX-8370) vs 16 (Xeon E3-1230 v2) — the FX-8370 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: 970,990FX,990X (FX-8370) and C216,C206,C204,C202 (Xeon E3-1230 v2).
| Feature | FX-8370 | Xeon E3-1230 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3+ | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1866 | DDR3-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 20+25% | 16 |
Advanced Features
Only the FX-8370 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: AMD-V (FX-8370) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E3-1230 v2). Primary use case: FX-8370 targets Legacy Gaming, Xeon E3-1230 v2 targets Server. Direct competitor: FX-8370 rivals Core i5-6400.
| Feature | FX-8370 | Xeon E3-1230 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | None |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Legacy Gaming | Server |
Value Analysis
The FX-8370 launched at $199 MSRP, while the Xeon E3-1230 v2 debuted at $215. At current prices ($100 vs $268), the FX-8370 is $168 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the FX-8370 delivers 61.8 pts/$ vs 23.1 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1230 v2 — making the FX-8370 the 91.2% better value option.
| Feature | FX-8370 | Xeon E3-1230 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $199-7% | $215 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $100-63% | $268 |
| Performance per Dollar | 61.8+168% | 23.1 |
| Release Date | 2014 | 2012 |
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