Xeon E3-1230 v2 vs Xeon X5670
Xeon E3-1230 v2
Xeon X5670
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 X5670 is on rank 469, so the Xeon X5670 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 X5670
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E3-1230 v2 | Xeon X5670 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($268) | ✅ More affordable ($30) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Westmere-EP (2010−2011) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E3-1230 v2 | Xeon X5670 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+789%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($268) | ✅ More affordable ($30) |
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 X5670
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 X5670
The Xeon X5670 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.93 GHz, with boost up to 3.33 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,160 points. Launch price was $67.
Processing Power
The Xeon E3-1230 v2 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon X5670 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon X5670 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Xeon E3-1230 v2 versus 3.33 GHz on the Xeon X5670 — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1230 v2 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 2.93 GHz). The Xeon E3-1230 v2 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon X5670 uses Westmere-EP (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1230 v2 scores 6,191 against the Xeon X5670's 6,160 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon E3-1230 v2. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1230 v2 vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon X5670.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1230 v2 | Xeon X5670 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 6 / 12+50% |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz+11% | 3.33 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.3 GHz+13% | 2.93 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | 12 MB (total)+50% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm-31% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | Westmere-EP (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 6,191 | 6,160 |
| 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 X5670 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1600 memory speed. Memory channels: 2 (Xeon E3-1230 v2) vs 3 (Xeon X5670). Chipset compatibility: C216,C206,C204,C202 (Xeon E3-1230 v2) and Intel X58,Intel 5520 (Xeon X5670).
| Feature | Xeon E3-1230 v2 | Xeon X5670 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | LGA1366 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 3+50% |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E3-1230 v2) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5670). Primary use case: Xeon E3-1230 v2 targets Server, Xeon X5670 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon X5670 rivals Core i7-980X.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1230 v2 | Xeon X5670 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Server | Workstation |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E3-1230 v2 launched at $215 MSRP, while the Xeon X5670 debuted at $67. At current prices ($268 vs $30), the Xeon X5670 is $238 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1230 v2 delivers 23.1 pts/$ vs 205.3 pts/$ for the Xeon X5670 — making the Xeon X5670 the 159.5% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1230 v2 | Xeon X5670 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $215 | $67-69% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $268 | $30-89% |
| Performance per Dollar | 23.1 | 205.3+789% |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2010 |
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