Pentium Silver N6005 vs Xeon E3-1230L v3

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.

Pentium Silver N6005 vs Xeon E3-1230L v3 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.

Pentium Silver N6005 vs Xeon E3-1230L v3: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium Silver N6005

2021

Why buy it

✅Draws 10W instead of 25W, a 15W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E3-1230L v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,253 vs 5,297).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E3-1230L v3, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads.

Xeon E3-1230L v3

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +19.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads.

Trade-offs

❌150% higher power demand at 25W vs 10W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1230L v3 better than Pentium Silver N6005?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1230L v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Pentium Silver N6005 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 E3-1230L v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 19.3% 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 E3-1230L v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

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

Xeon E3-1230L v3 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E3-1230L v3 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 19.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Pentium Silver N6005 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Pentium Silver N6005 vs Xeon E3-1230L v3 Technical Specifications

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

Pentium Silver N6005

The Pentium Silver N6005 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Jasper Lake (2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.5 MB (total). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1338. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,253 points. Launch price was $69.

Xeon E3-1230L v3

The Xeon E3-1230L v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,297 points. Launch price was $289.

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Processing Power

The Pentium Silver N6005 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Xeon E3-1230L v3's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Pentium Silver N6005 versus 2.8 GHz on the Xeon E3-1230L v3 — a 16.4% clock advantage for the Pentium Silver N6005 (base: 2 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Pentium Silver N6005 uses the Jasper Lake (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Xeon E3-1230L v3 uses Haswell-WS (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium Silver N6005 scores 5,253 against the Xeon E3-1230L v3's 5,297 — a 0.8% lead for the Xeon E3-1230L v3. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Pentium Silver N6005 vs 8192 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1230L v3.

Feature	Pentium Silver N6005	Xeon E3-1230L v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz+18%	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	2 GHz+11%	1.8 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	8192 kB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	1.5 MB (total)+500%	256 kB (per core)
Process	10 nm-55%	22 nm
Architecture	Jasper Lake (2021)	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)
PassMark	5,253	5,297

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Memory & Platform

The Pentium Silver N6005 uses the BGA1338 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E3-1230L v3 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.