CPU
GPU
Xeon X3430
Celeron G3950
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 X3430 is positioned at rank 826 and the Celeron G3950 is on rank 457, so the Celeron G3950 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon X3430
Performance Per Dollar Celeron G3950
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon X3430 | Celeron G3950 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($30) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Lynnfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm) | ✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon X3430 | Celeron G3950 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($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 X3430 and Celeron G3950
Xeon X3430
The Xeon X3430 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 2,320 points. Launch price was $189.
Celeron G3950
The Celeron G3950 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 51 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 2133, DDR3L 1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,336 points. Launch price was $52.
Processing Power
The Xeon X3430 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Celeron G3950 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Xeon X3430 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Xeon X3430 versus 3 GHz on the Celeron G3950 — a 6.9% clock advantage for the Celeron G3950 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Xeon X3430 uses the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Celeron G3950 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon X3430 scores 2,320 against the Celeron G3950's 2,336 — a 0.7% lead for the Celeron G3950. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Xeon X3430 vs 2 MB (total) on the Celeron G3950.
| Feature | Xeon X3430 | Celeron G3950 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.8 GHz | 3 GHz+7% |
| Base Clock | 2.4 GHz | 3 GHz+25% |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total)+300% | 2 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 14 nm-69% |
| Architecture | Lynnfield (2009−2010) | Kaby Lake (2016−2019) |
| PassMark | 2,320 | 2,336 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 750 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 1,100 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon X3430 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron G3950 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon X3430 | Celeron G3950 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1156 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR4-2400 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Xeon X3430) / VT-x (Celeron G3950). The Celeron G3950 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 610), while the Xeon X3430 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G3950 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron G3950 rivals Pentium G4560.
| Feature | Xeon X3430 | Celeron G3950 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | HD Graphics 610 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x |
| Target Use | — | Budget |
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