Xeon E3-1230 v6 vs Xeon E5-1650

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 E3-1230 v6 vs Xeon E5-1650 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 E3-1230 v6 vs Xeon E5-1650: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E3-1230 v6

2017

Why buy it

✅Draws 72W instead of 130W, a 58W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon E5-1650

2012

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,056 vs 8,113).
❌80.6% higher power demand at 130W vs 72W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1230 v6 better than Xeon E5-1650?

Yes. Xeon E3-1230 v6 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.7% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E3-1230 v6 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.0% 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 E3-1230 v6 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1230 v6 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E3-1230 v6 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Xeon E3-1230 v6 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E3-1230 v6 vs Xeon E5-1650 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E3-1230 v6

The Xeon E3-1230 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 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 72 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400, DDR3L-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 8,113 points. Launch price was $250.

Xeon E5-1650

The Xeon E5-1650 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12288 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 8,056 points. Launch price was $175.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1230 v6 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-1650 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-1650 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E3-1230 v6 versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-1650 — a 2.6% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1230 v6 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Xeon E3-1230 v6 uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-1650 uses Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1230 v6 scores 8,113 against the Xeon E5-1650's 8,056 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon E3-1230 v6. L3 cache: 8 MB on the Xeon E3-1230 v6 vs 12288 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-1650.

Feature	Xeon E3-1230 v6	Xeon E5-1650
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+3%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+9%	3.2 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB	12288 kB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	1 MB+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)
PassMark	8,113	8,056

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1230 v6 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1650 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E3-1230 v6	Xeon E5-1650
Socket	LGA1151	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	384 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40