Xeon E3-1225 v6 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.

Xeon E3-1225 v6 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.

Xeon E3-1225 v6 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.

Xeon E3-1225 v6

2017

Why buy it

✅Draws 73W instead of 95W, a 22W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2430 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,740 vs 5,755).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 15 MB).

Xeon E5-2430

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌30.1% higher power demand at 95W vs 73W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2430 better than Xeon E3-1225 v6?

Yes. Xeon E5-2430 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 12.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-2430 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 12.4% 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 E5-2430 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2430 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E5-2430 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 12.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Xeon E3-1225 v6 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E3-1225 v6 vs Xeon E5-2430 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E3-1225 v6

The Xeon E3-1225 v6 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 March 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400, DDR3L-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 5,740 points. Launch price was $213.

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 Xeon E3-1225 v6 packs 4 cores / 4 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 Xeon E3-1225 v6 versus 2.7 GHz on the Xeon E5-2430 — a 31.3% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1225 v6 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Xeon E3-1225 v6 uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2430 uses Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1225 v6 scores 5,740 against the Xeon E5-2430's 5,755 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon E5-2430. L3 cache: 8 MB on the Xeon E3-1225 v6 vs 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2430.

Feature	Xeon E3-1225 v6	Xeon E5-2430
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+37%	2.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+50%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB	15360 kB (total)+88%
L2 Cache	1 MB+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Sandy Bridge-EN (2012)
PassMark	5,740	5,755

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1225 v6 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2430 uses LGA1356 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.