Intel Core i5-3450S vs Intel Xeon E5630 Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a clear picture: the Intel Core i5-3450S outperforms the Intel Xeon E5630 across every recorded test. The Core i5-3450S wins all five head-to-head comparisons, with margins ranging from 13.9% to 14.1%. The largest single-core advantage appears in Cinebench R20 and R23 single-core tests, where the i5-3450S leads by 14.0% in both. Multi-core results are nearly as decisive, with the i5-3450S ahead by 13.9% in Cinebench R20 and R23 multi-core, and 14.1% in Cinebench R15 multi-core.

The Xeon E5630, despite having more threads (8 versus 4), cannot overcome the architectural and clock-speed advantages of the newer Ivy Bridge design. Its single-core scores are particularly weak: 191 in Cinebench R20 and 455 in Cinebench R23, versus 222 and 529 for the i5-3450S. This indicates the per-core efficiency gap is substantial, and the Xeon's extra threads do not compensate in these workloads.

For users deciding between these two, the data is unambiguous. The Core i5-3450S is the better performer in every measured category. The Xeon E5630 retains relevance only in scenarios where specific server features matter, such as ECC memory support or the triple-channel memory bus. However, from a pure benchmark standpoint, the i5-3450S is the superior choice. The average benchmark score for the i5-3450S is 1099, while the Xeon E5630 sits at 1110. Interestingly, the Xeon's average score is slightly higher, but this is due to the specific benchmark mix in the database; the head-to-head tests all favor the i5-3450S.

Given the production status of the Xeon E5630 as end-of-life, and the fact that the i5-3450S delivers higher scores across the board, the recommendation is straightforward: choose the Core i5-3450S for any workload where raw Cinebench performance is the priority. The Xeon E5630 should only be considered if its server-specific attributes are mandatory for a legacy platform.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher multi-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i5-3450S scores 3747 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Intel Xeon E5630 scores 3226. This gives the i5-3450S a 13.9% advantage.

Q: How do the single-core performances compare in Cinebench R20?

A: The Core i5-3450S achieves a single-core score of 222 in Cinebench R20, compared to 191 for the Xeon E5630. This represents a 14.0% lead for the i5-3450S.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Xeon E5630 supports ECC memory, while the Core i5-3450S does not.

Q: What are the thread counts for each processor?

A: The Xeon E5630 has 8 threads (4 cores), while the Core i5-3450S has 4 threads (4 cores). Despite having fewer threads, the i5-3450S wins all multi-core benchmarks.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Xeon E5630 has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Core i5-3450S has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What is the difference in TDP between the two?

A: The Xeon E5630 has a TDP of 80 watts, while the Core i5-3450S has a TDP of 65 watts.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and target different market segments. The Intel Xeon E5630 is based on the Westmere architecture, specifically the Westmere-EP codename, and is built on a 32 nm process node. It is classified as a Server/Workstation part. In contrast, the Intel Core i5-3450S uses the Ivy Bridge architecture with a 22 nm process node and is a Desktop part.

The transistor counts reflect the process node differences. The Xeon E5630 integrates 1,170 million transistors on a 239 mm² die. The Core i5-3450S packs 1,400 million transistors on a smaller 160 mm² die. This density improvement is a direct result of the 22 nm process versus the 32 nm process.

Cache hierarchies differ significantly. The Xeon E5630 has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Core i5-3450S has only 6 MB. Both have identical L1 (64 KB per core) and L2 (256 KB per core) caches. The larger L3 on the Xeon is typical for server parts, but the benchmark data shows it does not translate into better performance in these tests.

Memory support also diverges. The Xeon E5630 supports DDR3 memory with a triple-channel bus, while the Core i5-3450S supports DDR3 with a dual-channel bus. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, which is a critical feature for server reliability. The Core i5-3450S does not support ECC.

PCIe capabilities differ by generation. The Xeon E5630 has PCIe Gen 2, while the Core i5-3450S has PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The i5-3450S also includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 2500), whereas the Xeon E5630 has no integrated graphics.

The sockets are incompatible: the Xeon uses Intel Socket 1366, and the Core i5-3450S uses Intel Socket 1155. Release dates are separated by about two years, with the Xeon released in March 2010 and the i5-3450S in April 2012.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors:

• Threads: Xeon E5630 has 8 threads; Core i5-3450S has 4 threads.
• Base Clock: Xeon E5630 runs at 2.53 GHz; Core i5-3450S runs at 2.80 GHz.
• Boost Clock: Xeon E5630 boosts to 2.80 GHz; Core i5-3450S boosts to 3.50 GHz.
• TDP: Xeon E5630 is rated at 80 W; Core i5-3450S is rated at 65 W.
• Socket: Xeon E5630 uses Intel Socket 1366; Core i5-3450S uses Intel Socket 1155.
• Process Node: Xeon E5630 is 32 nm; Core i5-3450S is 22 nm.
• Transistor Count: Xeon E5630 has 1,170 million; Core i5-3450S has 1,400 million.
• Die Size: Xeon E5630 is 239 mm²; Core i5-3450S is 160 mm².
• L3 Cache: Xeon E5630 has 12 MB shared; Core i5-3450S has 6 MB shared.
• Memory Bus: Xeon E5630 is triple-channel; Core i5-3450S is dual-channel.
• ECC Memory: Xeon E5630 supports ECC; Core i5-3450S does not.
• PCIe: Xeon E5630 is Gen 2; Core i5-3450S is Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only).
• Integrated Graphics: Xeon E5630 has none; Core i5-3450S has Intel HD 2500.
• Market Segment: Xeon E5630 is Server/Workstation; Core i5-3450S is Desktop.
• Production Status: Xeon E5630 is end-of-life; Core i5-3450S has no recorded status.
• Part Number: Xeon E5630 is SLBVB; Core i5-3450S is SR0P2.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a consistent victory for the Intel Core i5-3450S in all five recorded tests. The Xeon E5630 wins zero comparisons, while the i5-3450S wins five.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-3450S scores 377 against the Xeon's 324. This is a 14.1% difference in favor of the i5-3450S. This test is notable because it shows that even with half the threads, the newer architecture and higher clocks (2.80 GHz base, 3.50 GHz boost versus 2.53 GHz base, 2.80 GHz boost) are sufficient to overcome the thread deficit.

Cinebench R20 multi-core repeats the pattern. The i5-3450S scores 1573, while the Xeon E5630 scores 1354. The delta is 13.9% in favor of the i5-3450S. The consistent margin across different Cinebench versions suggests the performance gap is stable and not workload-specific.

Single-core tests reveal the most significant weakness of the Xeon. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Xeon scores 191, while the i5-3450S scores 222. This 14.0% difference is nearly identical to the multi-core margin. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the scores are 455 for the Xeon and 529 for the i5-3450S, again a 14.0% difference.

Cinebench R23 multi-core follows the same trend: 3226 for the Xeon versus 3747 for the i5-3450S, a 13.9% advantage. The near-constant delta percentage across all tests (13.9% to 14.1%) indicates a uniform performance gap, likely driven by the clock speed and IPC advantages of the Ivy Bridge architecture rather than any specific benchmark characteristic.

The data also includes additional benchmarks for the i5-3450S that are not present for the Xeon. The i5-3450S scores 1712 in Geekbench multi-core and 581 in Geekbench single-core. These scores are recorded in the database but cannot be compared directly because the Xeon E5630 lacks corresponding Geekbench entries in the provided data.

The average benchmark scores are close: 1110 for the Xeon E5630 and 1099 for the Core i5-3450S. Both processors sit at the 31st percentile among all CPUs in the database. The nearest rivals for the Xeon include the Intel Core i7-5557U (score 1110, 0% delta) and the Intel Xeon E5-2609 v3 (score 1109, 0.1% delta). The i5-3450S's nearest rivals include the Intel Pentium 6805 (score 1099, 0% delta) and the Intel Pentium Gold G6500 (score 1101, -0.2% delta).

These rival comparisons show both processors occupy a similar performance tier in the overall database, despite the head-to-head results favoring the i5-3450S. The database's average score calculation likely includes a different benchmark mix, which explains why the Xeon's average is slightly higher even though it loses every direct comparison. This discrepancy underscores the importance of using the head-to-head tests for direct A/B analysis rather than relying solely on aggregate scores.