
Xeon X5450 vs Core i3-3245

Xeon X5450

Core i3-3245
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 X5450 is positioned at rank 807 and the Core i3-3245 is on rank 794, so the Core i3-3245 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon X5450
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-3245
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon X5450 | Core i3-3245 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Harpertown (2007−2008) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon X5450 | Core i3-3245 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) |
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 X5450 and Core i3-3245

Xeon X5450
The Xeon X5450 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): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3 Depends on motherboard. Passmark benchmark score: 2,416 points. Launch price was $851.

Core i3-3245
The Core i3-3245 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2013 (12 years ago). It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency: 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,412 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
The Xeon X5450 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-3245 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon X5450 has 2 more cores. The Xeon X5450 is built on the Harpertown (2007−2008) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon X5450 scores 2,416 against the Core i3-3245's 2,412 — a 0.2% lead for the Xeon X5450. L3 cache: 12 MB L2 Cache on the Xeon X5450 vs 3 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core i3-3245.
| Feature | Xeon X5450 | Core i3-3245 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3 GHz | — |
| Base Clock | 3 GHz | 3.4 GHz+13% |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB L2 Cache+300% | 3 MB Intel® Smart Cache |
| L2 Cache | 6 MB (total) | — |
| Process | 45 nm | 22 nm-51% |
| Architecture | Harpertown (2007−2008) | — |
| PassMark | 2,416 | 2,412 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon X5450 uses the LGA771 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-3245 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon X5450 | Core i3-3245 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA771 | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR3-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Xeon X5450) / VT-x (Core i3-3245). The Core i3-3245 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Xeon X5450 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-3245 targets Desktop.
| Feature | Xeon X5450 | Core i3-3245 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | HD Graphics 4000 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x |
| Target Use | — | Desktop |
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