Xeon E5-2430L vs i3-550

Aggregate performance score

Core i3-550
2010
2 cores / 4 threads, 73 Watt
1.03
Xeon E5-2430L
2012
6 cores / 12 threads, 60 Watt
3.55
+245%

Xeon E5-2430L outperforms Core i3-550 by a whopping 245% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i3-550 and Xeon E5-2430L processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking24461530
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.06no data
Market segmentDesktop processorServer
Power efficiency1.315.50
Architecture codenameClarkdale (2010−2011)Sandy Bridge-EN (2012)
Release date30 May 2010 (14 years ago)14 May 2012 (12 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$101no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i3-550 and Xeon E5-2430L basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores2 (Dual-core)6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads412
Base clock speed3.2 GHz2 GHz
Boost clock speed3.2 GHz2.5 GHz
Bus rate2.5 GT/s7.2 GT/s
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache4 MB (shared)15360 KB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm32 nm
Die size81 mm2294 mm2
Maximum core temperature73 °Cno data
Number of transistors382 million1,270 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Core i3-550 and Xeon E5-2430L compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration12
SocketFCLGA1156FCLGA1356
Power consumption (TDP)73 Watt60 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i3-550 and Xeon E5-2430L. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2Intel® AVX
AES-NI-+
AVX-+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology-2.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring-+
Flex Memory Accessno data-
Demand Based Switching-+
PAE36 Bitno data
FDI+no data

Security technologies

Core i3-550 and Xeon E5-2430L technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT-+
EDB++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i3-550 and Xeon E5-2430L are enumerated here.

VT-dno data+
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i3-550 and Xeon E5-2430L. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3
Maximum memory size16.38 GB384 GB
Max memory channels23
Maximum memory bandwidth21 GB/s32 GB/s
ECC memory support-+

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel® HD Graphics for Previous Generation Intel® Processorsno data
Clear Video HD+no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i3-550 and Xeon E5-2430L integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported2no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i3-550 and Xeon E5-2430L.

PCIe version2.03.0
PCI Express lanes1624

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i3-550 1.03
Xeon E5-2430L 3.55
+245%

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i3-550 1610
Xeon E5-2430L 5539
+244%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.03 3.55
Recency 30 May 2010 14 May 2012
Physical cores 2 6
Threads 4 12
Power consumption (TDP) 73 Watt 60 Watt

Xeon E5-2430L has a 244.7% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 1 year, 200% more physical cores and 200% more threads, and 21.7% lower power consumption.

The Xeon E5-2430L is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-550 in performance tests.

Note that Core i3-550 is a desktop processor while Xeon E5-2430L is a server/workstation one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i3-550 and Xeon E5-2430L, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core i3-550
Core i3-550
Intel Xeon E5-2430L
Xeon E5-2430L

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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