Xeon E3-1230 v2 vs Xeon E5-2658
Xeon E3-1230 v2
Xeon E5-2658
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 Xeon E3-1230 v2 is positioned at rank 500 and the Xeon E5-2658 is on rank 699, 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 Xeon E3-1230 v2
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2658
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E3-1230 v2 | Xeon E5-2658 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($268) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($400) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E3-1230 v2 | Xeon E5-2658 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+48%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($268) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($400) |
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 Xeon E3-1230 v2 and Xeon E5-2658
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.
Xeon E5-2658
The Xeon E5-2658 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,232 points. Launch price was $1,462.
Processing Power
The Xeon E3-1230 v2 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2658 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-2658 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Xeon E3-1230 v2 versus 2.4 GHz on the Xeon E5-2658 — a 42.6% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1230 v2 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Xeon E3-1230 v2 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-2658 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1230 v2 scores 6,191 against the Xeon E5-2658's 6,232 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon E5-2658. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1230 v2 vs 20480 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2658.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1230 v2 | Xeon E5-2658 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 8 / 16+100% |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz+54% | 2.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.3 GHz+57% | 2.1 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | 20480 kB (total)+150% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm-31% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) |
| PassMark | 6,191 | 6,232 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 821 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 3,223 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E3-1230 v2 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2658 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1230 v2 | Xeon E5-2658 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | LGA2011 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 5.0+67% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ✅ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E3-1230 v2) / not specified (Xeon E5-2658). Primary use case: Xeon E3-1230 v2 targets Server.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1230 v2 | Xeon E5-2658 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | — |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
| Target Use | Server | — |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E3-1230 v2 launched at $215 MSRP, while the Xeon E5-2658 debuted at $400. At current prices ($268 vs $400), the Xeon E3-1230 v2 is $132 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1230 v2 delivers 23.1 pts/$ vs 15.6 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2658 — making the Xeon E3-1230 v2 the 38.9% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1230 v2 | Xeon E5-2658 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $215-46% | $400 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $268-33% | $400 |
| Performance per Dollar | 23.1+48% | 15.6 |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2012 |
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