Xeon Gold 6230N vs Core i5-6350HQ

Xeon Gold 6230N

20 Cores40 Thrd125 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2019

Core i5-6350HQ

4 Cores4 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2016

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Xeon Gold 6230N

20 / 40

4,175

0.0%

4,255

+1.9%

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 Gold 6230N is positioned at rank 614 and the Core i5-6350HQ is on rank 1002, so the Xeon Gold 6230N 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 Gold 6230N

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

9953%

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

1879%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

1670%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

1290%

#366

Xeon Silver 4216

MSRP: $1011|Avg: $800

100%

#367

EPYC 9454P

MSRP: $4598|Avg: $3333

99%

#369

Xeon Gold 6542Y

MSRP: $2878|Avg: N/A

96%

#370

EPYC 7502

MSRP: $2600|Avg: $1299

96%

#371

Xeon 6730P

MSRP: $3726|Avg: $3726

95%

#372

Xeon Gold 6330

MSRP: $2128|Avg: $2128

95%

#373

Xeon Gold 6548Y+

MSRP: $3726|Avg: $3726

94%

#374

Xeon Gold 6448H

MSRP: $3658|Avg: N/A

94%

#375

Xeon D-2766NT

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $212

94%

#614

Xeon Gold 6230N

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#618

Xeon W-2133

MSRP: $617|Avg: $617

98%

#622

Xeon E5607

MSRP: $135|Avg: $27

95%

#626

Xeon Silver 4209T

MSRP: $563|Avg: $649

94%

#627

Xeon E3-1240

MSRP: $273|Avg: $39

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6350HQ

#990

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2109%

#991

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2078%

#992

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1908%

#993

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1899%

#994

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1882%

#996

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1817%

#997

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1743%

#998

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1740%

#999

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1693%

#1002

Core i5-6350HQ

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#1005

Pentium P6000

MSRP: $150|Avg: $90

98%

#1007

Core i7-3630QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

98%

#1008

Core i7-3610QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

98%

#1009

Core i3-1115GRE

MSRP: $338|Avg: $480

98%

#1010

Pentium A1020

MSRP: $86|Avg: $86

98%

#1011

Core i7-4702MQ

MSRP: $383|Avg: $50

97%

#1012

Pentium N4200

MSRP: $161|Avg: $30.89

96%

#1013

Pentium J2900

MSRP: $94|Avg: $20

96%

#1014

Celeron T1700

MSRP: $80|Avg: $5

95%

#1015

Celeron T3500

MSRP: $80|Avg: $10

95%

#1016

A12-9720P

MSRP: $200|Avg: $25

94%

#1017

Core i5-4300M

MSRP: $227|Avg: N/A

94%

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 Xeon Gold 6230N (2019) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4-2933, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Xeon Gold 6230N	Core i5-6350HQ
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	✨ Modern (Cascade Lake (2019−2020) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Skylake-H (2015−2016) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i5-6350HQ (2016) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR3, DDR4, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Xeon Gold 6230N	Core i5-6350HQ
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

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 Gold 6230N Benchmark Check

Core i5-6350HQ Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Xeon Gold 6230N and Core i5-6350HQ

Xeon Gold 6230N

The Xeon Gold 6230N is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 20 cores and 40 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 27.5 MB. L2 cache: 20 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 4,175 points. Launch price was $2,046.

Core i5-6350HQ

The Core i5-6350HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 January 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-H (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,255 points. Launch price was $306.

⚡

Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 6230N packs 20 cores / 40 threads, while the Core i5-6350HQ offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon Gold 6230N has 16 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6230N versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-6350HQ — a 9% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6230N (base: 2.3 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6230N uses the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-6350HQ uses Skylake-H (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6230N scores 4,175 against the Core i5-6350HQ's 4,255 — a 1.9% lead for the Core i5-6350HQ. L3 cache: 27.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 6230N vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-6350HQ.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6230N	Core i5-6350HQ
Cores / Threads	20 / 40+400%	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz+9%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	27.5 MB+358%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	20 MB+7900%	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)	Skylake-H (2015−2016)
PassMark	4,175	4,255+2%
Geekbench 6 Single	—	803

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon Gold 6230N uses the LGA3647 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-6350HQ uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6230N	Core i5-6350HQ
Socket	LGA3647	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	—	64 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon Gold 6230N) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-6350HQ). The Core i5-6350HQ includes integrated graphics (Iris Pro Graphics 580), while the Xeon Gold 6230N requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6350HQ targets High Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-6350HQ rivals FX-9830P.