i5-661 vs Xeon E3-1230 v2

VS

Aggregate performance score

Xeon E3-1230 v2
2012
4 cores / 8 threads, 69 Watt
4.05
+152%

Xeon E3-1230 v2 outperforms Core i5-661 by a whopping 152% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Xeon E3-1230 v2 and Core i5-661 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking14322104
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation1.630.09
Market segmentServerDesktop processor
Power efficiency5.351.69
Architecture codenameIvy Bridge (2012−2013)Clarkdale (2010−2011)
Release date14 May 2012 (12 years ago)7 January 2010 (14 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$360$252

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Xeon E3-1230 v2 has 1711% better value for money than i5-661.

Detailed specifications

Xeon E3-1230 v2 and Core i5-661 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 cores4 (Quad-Core)2 (Dual-core)
Threads84
Base clock speed3.3 GHz3.33 GHz
Boost clock speed3.7 GHz3.6 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/s2.5 GT/s
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache8 MB (shared)4 MB (shared)
Chip lithography22 nm32 nm
Die size160 mm281 mm2
Maximum core temperature66 °C70 °C
Number of transistors1,400 million382 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Xeon E3-1230 v2 and Core i5-661 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 configuration11
SocketFCLGA1155FCLGA1156
Power consumption (TDP)69 Watt87 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Xeon E3-1230 v2 and Core i5-661. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVXIntel® SSE4.2
AES-NI++
AVX+-
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.01.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring+-
Flex Memory Access+no data
Demand Based Switching+-
PAEno data36 Bit
FDIno data+
Fast Memory Access+no data

Security technologies

Xeon E3-1230 v2 and Core i5-661 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++
Identity Protection+-

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Xeon E3-1230 v2 and Core i5-661 are enumerated here.

VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Xeon E3-1230 v2 and Core i5-661. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3
Maximum memory size32.77 GB16.38 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/s21 GB/s
ECC memory support+-

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataIntel® HD Graphics for Previous Generation Intel® Processors
Clear Video HDno data+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Xeon E3-1230 v2 and Core i5-661 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data2

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Xeon E3-1230 v2 and Core i5-661.

PCIe version3.02.0
PCI Express lanesno data16

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.

Xeon E3-1230 v2 4.05
+152%
i5-661 1.61

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.

Xeon E3-1230 v2 6198
+151%
i5-661 2470

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 4.05 1.61
Recency 14 May 2012 7 January 2010
Physical cores 4 2
Threads 8 4
Chip lithography 22 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 69 Watt 87 Watt

Xeon E3-1230 v2 has a 151.6% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 2 years, 100% more physical cores and 100% more threads, a 45.5% more advanced lithography process, and 26.1% lower power consumption.

The Xeon E3-1230 v2 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i5-661 in performance tests.

Be aware that Xeon E3-1230 v2 is a server/workstation processor while Core i5-661 is a desktop one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Xeon E3-1230 v2 and Core i5-661, 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 Xeon E3-1230 v2
Xeon E3-1230 v2
Intel Core i5-661
Core i5-661

Similar processor comparisons

We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.

Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


4.4 2672 votes

Rate Xeon E3-1230 v2 on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
4.6 194 votes

Rate Core i5-661 on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Xeon E3-1230 v2 or Core i5-661, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.