Xeon E5450 vs Core i5-3230M

Xeon E5450

4 Cores4 Thrd80 WWMax: 3 GHz2007

Core i5-3230M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2013

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Xeon E5450

4 / 4

2,581

+0.6%

2,565

0.0%

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 E5450 is positioned at rank 778 and the Core i5-3230M is on rank 30, so the Core i5-3230M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5450

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

16098%

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

3039%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

2700%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

2086%

#450

EPYC 7663

MSRP: $6366|Avg: $6366

100%

#450

EPYC 9565

MSRP: $10486|Avg: $8233

100%

#452

EPYC 9755

MSRP: $12984|Avg: $10931

99%

#454

Xeon Platinum 8368

MSRP: $7214|Avg: $429

99%

#456

EPYC 9575F

MSRP: $11791|Avg: $9238

97%

#778

Xeon E5450

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#782

Xeon X3440

MSRP: $215|Avg: $16

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-3230M

#18

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

172%

#19

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

169%

#20

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

155%

#21

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

155%

#22

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

153%

#24

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

148%

#25

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

142%

#26

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

142%

#27

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

138%

#30

Core i5-3230M

MSRP: $225|Avg: $13

100%

#31

Atom D525

MSRP: $63|Avg: N/A

100%

#32

Atom x7835RE

MSRP: $127|Avg: N/A

99%

#33

Core 2 Duo P8400

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

97%

#38

Core 2 Duo T8100

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

90%

#39

Atom 330

MSRP: $43|Avg: $30

89%

#43

Core 2 Duo SU7300

MSRP: $289|Avg: N/A

87%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i5-3230M (2013) utilizes 22 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Xeon E5450	Core i5-3230M
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($13)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Harpertown (2007−2008) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon E5450 (2007) relies on 45 nm technology and **DDR2, DDR3 Depends on motherboard**, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Xeon E5450	Core i5-3230M
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($13)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Xeon E5450 Benchmark Check

Core i5-3230M Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E5450 and Core i5-3230M

Xeon E5450

The Xeon E5450 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 November 2007 (18 years ago). It is based on the Harpertown (2007−2008) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA771. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3 Depends on motherboard. Passmark benchmark score: 2,581 points. Launch price was $915.

Core i5-3230M

The Core i5-3230M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,565 points. Launch price was $225.

⚡

Processing Power

The Xeon E5450 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-3230M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon E5450 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Xeon E5450 versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-3230M — a 6.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-3230M (base: 3 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Xeon E5450 uses the Harpertown (2007−2008) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-3230M uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5450 scores 2,581 against the Core i5-3230M's 2,565 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon E5450. L3 cache: 12 MB L2 Cache on the Xeon E5450 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3230M.

Feature	Xeon E5450	Core i5-3230M
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3 GHz	3.2 GHz+7%
Base Clock	3 GHz+15%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB L2 Cache+300%	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	6 MB (total)+2300%	256K (per core)
Process	45 nm	22 nm-51%
Architecture	Harpertown (2007−2008)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,581	2,565
Geekbench 6 Single	—	565
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,128

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5450 uses the LGA771 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-3230M uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E5450	Core i5-3230M
Socket	LGA771	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E5450) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-3230M). The Core i5-3230M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Xeon E5450 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3230M targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-3230M rivals Ryzen 5 3500U.