CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i3-4150 and Intel Xeon E5630 represent two very different eras of Intel's lineup, and the benchmark data shows a clear, consistent winner. The Xeon E5630, despite being older and running at a lower base clock, wins every single head-to-head benchmark in the database. This is a case where core count and cache size overcome architectural age, though the margin is not enormous. The Xeon leads by roughly 10-11% across all tested workloads, making it the stronger performer in this matchup, but the i3-4150 is not far behind and offers its own set of platform advantages.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data is unambiguous: the Xeon E5630 takes all five recorded benchmark victories. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Xeon scores 324 against the i3's 290, a delta of -10.5% from the i3's perspective. The same pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multicore, with the Xeon at 1354 and the i3 at 1212, again a -10.5% difference. The single-core results are similarly lopsided. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Xeon posts 191 versus the i3's 170, a -11% gap. Cinebench R23 single-core shows the Xeon at 455 and the i3 at 407, another -10.5% margin. The Cinebench R23 multicore test closes the set with the Xeon at 3226 and the i3 at 2888, holding that consistent -10.5% deficit.

The consistency of the delta is striking. Across every test, the Xeon's advantage hovers between 10.5% and 11%, suggesting that the performance difference is structural rather than workload-dependent. The Xeon's 4 cores and 8 threads simply outmuscle the i3's 2 cores and 4 threads in every scenario, even in single-threaded tests where the i3's higher 3.50 GHz base clock should theoretically help. The i3's clock advantage of nearly 1 GHz does not translate into a win anywhere. For context, the i3-4150 sits at the 32nd percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 1119. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-2860QM (avg score 1120, deltaPct -0.1) and the AMD Athlon 240GE (avg score 1121, deltaPct -0.1). The Xeon E5630, meanwhile, is at the 31st percentile with an average score of 1110, placing it near the Intel Core i7-5557U (avg score 1110, deltaPct 0) and the Intel Xeon E5-2609 v3 (avg score 1109, deltaPct 0.1). These two CPUs are nearly identical in overall average score, yet the Xeon's wins in every head-to-head test show it has the edge in the workloads that were measured.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU wins in multi-core rendering workloads?

A: The Intel Xeon E5630 wins all multi-core tests. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 324 versus the i3-4150's 290. In Cinebench R20 multicore, it scores 1354 versus 1212. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 3226 versus 2888. The Xeon leads by 10.5% in each case.

Q: Is the Intel Core i3-4150 better in single-core performance?

A: No. Despite its higher base clock of 3.50 GHz compared to the Xeon's 2.53 GHz, the i3-4150 loses every single-core benchmark. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Xeon scores 191 versus the i3's 170. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Xeon scores 455 versus the i3's 407. The Xeon leads by 11% and 10.5% respectively.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for these two processors?

A: The i3-4150 has an average benchmark score of 1119, while the Xeon E5630 has an average score of 1110. The i3's nearest rival, the Intel Core i7-2860QM, scores 1120, and the Xeon's nearest rival, the Intel Core i7-5557U, scores 1110. The average scores are very close, but the head-to-head tests favor the Xeon.

Q: Do these CPUs support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Xeon E5630 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i3-4150 does not support ECC memory. This is a key differentiator for server or workstation use cases where data integrity is critical.

Q: Which CPU has more cache?

A: The Xeon E5630 has significantly more L3 cache. It features 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i3-4150 has only 3 MB of shared L3 cache. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache and 256 KB of L2 cache per core.

Q: What is the memory configuration difference?

A: The i3-4150 uses dual-channel memory with a bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. The Xeon E5630 uses triple-channel memory, though its memory bandwidth is not listed in the data. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, while the i3 does not.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and manufacturing processes. The i3-4150 is built on the Haswell architecture using a 22 nm process node, while the Xeon E5630 uses the older Westmere-EP architecture on a 32 nm node. The i3's die is smaller at 177 mm², but it packs more transistors: 1,400 million versus the Xeon's 1,170 million. The Xeon's die is larger at 239 mm². The i3 is a desktop part in the Core i3 (Haswell) generation, while the Xeon is a server and workstation part in the Xeon (Westmere-EP) generation.

Core and thread counts differ substantially. The i3-4150 has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the Xeon E5630 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Xeon's base clock is 2.53 GHz, but it has a boost clock of 2.80 GHz. The i3 has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and does not list a boost clock, indicating it runs at a fixed frequency. Cache hierarchy also differs: the i3 has 3 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Xeon has 12 MB of shared L3 cache. Both use 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core.

Memory support diverges in important ways. The i3-4150 uses dual-channel DDR3 memory with a bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s and does not support ECC. The Xeon E5630 uses triple-channel DDR3 memory and does support ECC. The i3 has PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Xeon has PCIe Gen 2. The i3 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 4400), whereas the Xeon has no integrated graphics. The i3 uses Socket 1150, while the Xeon uses Socket 1366. The i3's TDP is 54 watts, while the Xeon's TDP is 80 watts. The i3's part number is SR1PJ, and the Xeon's is SLBVB.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear winner for raw performance: the Intel Xeon E5630. It wins all five head-to-head benchmarks, with margins between 10.5% and 11% in every test. Its 4 cores and 8 threads provide a decisive advantage over the i3-4150's 2 cores and 4 threads, even though the i3 has a much higher base clock and newer architecture. The Xeon's 12 MB of L3 cache versus the i3's 3 MB likely contributes to its consistent lead in single-core tests as well. For anyone whose priority is benchmark performance alone, the Xeon E5630 is the stronger choice.

However, the i3-4150 is not without merits. It is a more modern part with a 22 nm process, lower 54 watt TDP, and integrated graphics. It supports PCIe Gen 3 and dual-channel memory at 25.6 GB/s. The Xeon lacks integrated graphics, which means a separate GPU is mandatory. The Xeon also uses the older Socket 1366 platform with PCIe Gen 2. If you are building a system from scratch, the i3's platform may be more practical for a desktop use case, but the benchmark data does not support a performance argument for the i3. The Xeon wins every measured test, and the choice comes down to whether you prioritize those benchmark wins or the i3's more modern platform features.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in nearly every major specification category, reflecting their different market positions. The i3-4150 has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the Xeon E5630 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The i3's base clock is 3.50 GHz, while the Xeon's base clock is 2.53 GHz with a boost clock of 2.80 GHz. The i3 has a 54 watt TDP, while the Xeon has an 80 watt TDP. The i3 uses Socket 1150, while the Xeon uses Socket 1366.

Architecture and process node differences are significant. The i3 is built on Haswell at 22 nm, while the Xeon is built on Westmere-EP at 32 nm. The i3 has 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die, while the Xeon has 1,170 million transistors on a 239 mm² die. Cache sizes differ drastically: the i3 has 3 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Xeon has 12 MB of shared L3 cache. Both have 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core.

Memory and PCIe support differ. The i3 supports dual-channel DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC. The Xeon supports triple-channel DDR3 and ECC memory. The i3 has PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Xeon has PCIe Gen 2. The i3 includes Intel HD 4400 integrated graphics, while the Xeon has none. The i3 is a desktop part with a launch MSRP of $117, while the Xeon's launch MSRP is not listed. Both are end-of-life products, with the i3 released in 2014 and the Xeon released in 2010. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon E5630 wins in all benchmark categories recorded. It takes the multicore tests in Cinebench R15 (324 vs 290), R20 (1354 vs 1212), and R23 (3226 vs 2888). It also wins the single-core tests in Cinebench R20 (191 vs 170) and R23 (455 vs 407). The Xeon's advantage is consistent at roughly 10.5% across all tests, making it the superior choice for any workload that relies on CPU compute, whether multi-threaded or single-threaded. Its 4 cores and 8 threads, combined with 12 MB of L3 cache, give it a structural edge that the i3's higher clock speed cannot overcome.

The i3-4150 does not win any head-to-head benchmark, but it has strengths outside of raw performance. It supports PCIe Gen 3, which is faster than the Xeon's PCIe Gen 2, and it includes integrated graphics, eliminating the need for a separate GPU. Its 54 watt TDP is significantly lower than the Xeon's 80 watts, which can matter for cooling and power costs. The i3 also uses a newer 22 nm process, which typically implies better efficiency per watt. For a system where PCIe bandwidth, integrated graphics, or lower power draw are critical, the i3 is the better fit. For pure CPU performance, the Xeon is the winner without exception.