Xeon E5-2430
CPU·Budget

Xeon E5-2430

Intel

PassMark

5,755

14 May 2012 (13 years ago)
95 Watt
Sandy Bridge-EN (2012)

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.

Overview

The Xeon E5-2430 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,755 points. Launch price was $119.

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.

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

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

FPS Benchmarks

Predicted performance for Xeon E5-2430 across popular games. Tested paired with RTX 4090 to isolate CPU performance.

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

1080p
low118 FPS
medium104 FPS
high96 FPS
ultra75 FPS
1440p
low104 FPS
medium92 FPS
high85 FPS
ultra68 FPS
4k
low83 FPS
medium75 FPS
high65 FPS
ultra47 FPS
Garry's Mod

Garry's Mod

1080p
low144 FPS
medium144 FPS
high144 FPS
ultra144 FPS
1440p
low144 FPS
medium144 FPS
high144 FPS
ultra144 FPS
4k
low144 FPS
medium144 FPS
high128 FPS
ultra110 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

1080p
low144 FPS
medium144 FPS
high144 FPS
ultra144 FPS
1440p
low144 FPS
medium144 FPS
high144 FPS
ultra144 FPS
4k
low144 FPS
medium144 FPS
high144 FPS
ultra144 FPS
Left 4 Dead 2

Left 4 Dead 2

1080p
low144 FPS
medium144 FPS
high144 FPS
ultra144 FPS
1440p
low144 FPS
medium144 FPS
high144 FPS
ultra144 FPS
4k
low144 FPS
medium144 FPS
high140 FPS
ultra119 FPS
Marvel Rivals

Marvel Rivals

1080p
low144 FPS
medium144 FPS
high144 FPS
ultra144 FPS
1440p
low144 FPS
medium144 FPS
high141 FPS
ultra122 FPS
4k
low133 FPS
medium112 FPS
high97 FPS
ultra89 FPS
Palworld

Palworld

1080p
low117 FPS
medium111 FPS
high81 FPS
ultra70 FPS
1440p
low95 FPS
medium90 FPS
high69 FPS
ultra60 FPS
4k
low62 FPS
medium59 FPS
high49 FPS
ultra33 FPS
Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

1080p
low144 FPS
medium134 FPS
high106 FPS
ultra87 FPS
1440p
low132 FPS
medium111 FPS
high86 FPS
ultra70 FPS
4k
low62 FPS
medium56 FPS
high43 FPS
ultra34 FPS
Phasmophobia

Phasmophobia

1080p
low144 FPS
medium144 FPS
high144 FPS
ultra144 FPS
1440p
low144 FPS
medium144 FPS
high144 FPS
ultra144 FPS
4k
low144 FPS
medium144 FPS
high144 FPS
ultra144 FPS
Roblox

Roblox

1080p
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
1440p
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
4k
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
Rust

Rust

1080p
low134 FPS
medium118 FPS
high96 FPS
ultra84 FPS
1440p
low115 FPS
medium101 FPS
high80 FPS
ultra64 FPS
4k
low55 FPS
medium46 FPS
high35 FPS
ultra23 FPS

Technical Analysis

Detailed breakdown of Xeon E5-2430 specifications and capabilities.

Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2430 is a 6-core / 12-thread processor based on the Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) architecture, manufactured on a 32 nm process node. It reaches a maximum boost clock of 2.7 GHz from a base frequency of 2.2 GHz— higher boost clocks directly translate to better single-threaded performance and responsiveness in gaming. With a massive 15360 kB (total) L3 cache (3D V-Cache technology), this processor has a significant gaming advantage — the large cache drastically reduces memory latency in game engines., plus 256 kB (per core) of L2 cache and 64 kB (per core) of L1 cache per core. In the PassMark benchmark (a comprehensive multi-threaded test), it scores 5,755, placing it in the Entry Level performance tier as a Legacy generation product.

SpecificationXeon E5-2430
Cores / ThreadsPhysical/logical processing units6C / 12T
Max Boost ClockPeak single-core speed under boost2.7 GHz
Base ClockGuaranteed minimum operating frequency2.2 GHz
ArchitectureCPU microarchitecture designSandy Bridge-EN (2012)
Process NodeFabrication technology — smaller = more efficient32 nm
L3 CacheShared cache — reduces memory latency for all cores15360 kB (total)
L2 CachePer-core fast cache for frequently accessed data256 kB (per core)
L1 CacheUltra-fast per-core cache64 kB (per core)
Die SizePhysical silicon area of the processor294 mm2
Transistor CountMore transistors = more capabilities1,270 million
Bus SpeedData bus frequency7.2 GT/s
64-bit SupportYes
Windows 11 CompatibleNo
PassMark ScoreOverall multi-threaded benchmark score5,755
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2430 fits into the LGA1356 socket and supports PCIe 2.0. It supports DDR3 memory.

SpecificationXeon E5-2430
TypeDesktop or Laptop processorserver
SocketMotherboard socket requiredLGA1356
PCIe GenerationPeripheral interconnect speed — affects GPU and SSD bandwidthPCIe 2.0
RAM TypeSupported memory standardDDR3
Max CPUs in ConfigMulti-socket support for servers2
🌡️

Power & Cooling

The Xeon E5-2430 has a rated TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 95 Watt — this indicates the amount of heat generated under sustained load and determines what cooling solution is needed.

SpecificationXeon E5-2430
TDPThermal Design Power — heat output under sustained workload95 Watt
💰

Value Analysis

Performance ranking position: #1750 out of all indexed processors.

SpecificationXeon E5-2430
Launch PriceOriginal retail price at launch$119
Performance RankPosition in overall performance ranking#1750
Release DateLaunch date14 May 2012 (13 years ago)
Release Year2012
DesignerArchitecture designer (e.g. Intel, AMD)Intel
ManufacturerFabrication foundry (e.g. TSMC)Intel

Specifications Reference

Raw spec sheet for quick lookup. The analysis cards above explain what these fields mean in practice.

4 categories

General Information

7 specs

Typeserver
DesignerIntel
Launch Price$119
ManufacturerIntel
Release Date14 May 2012 (13 years ago)
Architecture CodenameSandy Bridge-EN (2012)
Performance Ranking Position1750

Technical Specifications

13 specs

Cores6
Threads12
Die Size294 mm2
L1 Cache64 kB (per core)
L2 Cache256 kB (per core)
L3 Cache15360 kB (total)
Bus Speed7.2 GT/s
Max Frequency2.7 GHz
64-Bit Support+
Base Frequency2.2 GHz
Transistor Count1,270 million
Process Technology32 nm
Windows 11 Compatible-

Compatibility

4 specs

SocketLGA1356
PCIe GenerationPCIe 2.0
Power Consumption (TDP)95 Watt
Max Processors In Config2

Memory

5 specs

RAM TypesDDR3
Memory Channels3
Memory Bandwidth32 GB/s
ECC Memory Support+
Max Memory Capacity384 GB

Our Recommendation for Xeon E5-2430

Suggested pairings based on performance balance

Compare Xeon E5-2430

See how this CPU stacks up against similar alternatives

Compare with other CPUs