Xeon X5670 vs Xeon E3-1230 v2
Xeon X5670
Xeon E3-1230 v2
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 X5670 is positioned at rank 469 and the Xeon E3-1230 v2 is on rank 500, so the Xeon X5670 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon X5670
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1230 v2
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon X5670 | Xeon E3-1230 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($30) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($268) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Westmere-EP (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon X5670 | Xeon E3-1230 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+789%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($30) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($268) |
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 X5670 and Xeon E3-1230 v2
Xeon X5670
The Xeon X5670 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.93 GHz, with boost up to 3.33 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,160 points. Launch price was $67.
Xeon E3-1230 v2
The Xeon E3-1230 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 69 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,191 points. Launch price was $360.
Processing Power
The Xeon X5670 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E3-1230 v2 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Xeon X5670 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.33 GHz on the Xeon X5670 versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon E3-1230 v2 — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1230 v2 (base: 2.93 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Xeon X5670 uses the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E3-1230 v2 uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon X5670 scores 6,160 against the Xeon E3-1230 v2's 6,191 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon E3-1230 v2. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Xeon X5670 vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1230 v2.
| Feature | Xeon X5670 | Xeon E3-1230 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12+50% | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.33 GHz | 3.7 GHz+11% |
| Base Clock | 2.93 GHz | 3.3 GHz+13% |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB (total)+50% | 8 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 22 nm-31% |
| Architecture | Westmere-EP (2010−2011) | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) |
| PassMark | 6,160 | 6,191 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 821 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 3,223 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon X5670 uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E3-1230 v2 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. Memory channels: 3 (Xeon X5670) vs 2 (Xeon E3-1230 v2). Chipset compatibility: Intel X58,Intel 5520 (Xeon X5670) and C216,C206,C204,C202 (Xeon E3-1230 v2).
| Feature | Xeon X5670 | Xeon E3-1230 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1366 | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR3-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | 3+50% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5670) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E3-1230 v2). Primary use case: Xeon X5670 targets Workstation, Xeon E3-1230 v2 targets Server. Direct competitor: Xeon X5670 rivals Core i7-980X.
| Feature | Xeon X5670 | Xeon E3-1230 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | — | None |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Workstation | Server |
Value Analysis
The Xeon X5670 launched at $67 MSRP, while the Xeon E3-1230 v2 debuted at $215. At current prices ($30 vs $268), the Xeon X5670 is $238 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon X5670 delivers 205.3 pts/$ vs 23.1 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1230 v2 — making the Xeon X5670 the 159.5% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon X5670 | Xeon E3-1230 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $67-69% | $215 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $30-89% | $268 |
| Performance per Dollar | 205.3+789% | 23.1 |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2012 |
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