Intel Xeon E3-1230 v5 vs Intel Xeon E3-1535M v5 Comparison

These two Xeon processors, the E3-1230 v5 and the E3-1535M v5, are separated by a razor-thin margin in benchmark results. The data shows that the desktop-oriented E3-1230 v5 wins every single head-to-head comparison, but the performance gap is so small that it is statistically negligible. The E3-1535M v5 achieves this near-parity while consuming significantly less power and including integrated graphics, making the choice between them a question of platform and power efficiency rather than raw speed.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are remarkably consistent across all tests, with the Intel Xeon E3-1230 v5 taking a narrow victory in every single Cinebench iteration. In the Cinebench R15 multicore test, the E3-1230 v5 scores 678 against the E3-1535M v5’s 677, a delta of just 0.1%. The single-core R15 results are identical at 95 points for both processors, resulting in a delta of 0%. This pattern continues in Cinebench R20, where the E3-1230 v5 scores 2827 multicore and 399 single-core, while the E3-1535M v5 scores 2824 and 398, respectively. The largest percentage difference in the entire comparison is a mere 0.3%, which occurs in the Cinebench R20 single-core test.

Moving to the newer Cinebench R23 benchmark, the results remain equally close. The E3-1230 v5 achieves 6733 points in the multicore test, edging out the E3-1535M v5’s 6726 by 0.1%. In single-core R23, the scores are 950 and 949, again a negligible 0.1% difference. With six wins for the E3-1230 v5 and zero for the E3-1535M v5, the head-to-head record is a clean sweep, but the average benchmark scores tell the real story. The E3-1230 v5 has an average score of 1947, while the E3-1535M v5 sits at 1945, a delta of just 0.1%.

Looking at the broader competitive landscape, both processors occupy the same percentile rank at 44% of all CPUs. Their nearest rivals confirm this positioning. The E3-1230 v5 is essentially tied with the Intel Core i5-1035G7, which scores 1948, and the Intel Core i7-8709G, which scores 1950. Similarly, the E3-1535M v5 is matched with the Intel Core i7-9850HL, which scores 1941. These results indicate that neither processor holds a meaningful advantage over the other in synthetic workloads, and the 0.1% to 0.3% deltas are well within normal run-to-run variation.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel’s 14 nm Skylake architecture, but they target different physical platforms. The E3-1230 v5 is a Skylake-DT desktop part designed for the Intel Socket 1151, while the E3-1535M v5 is a Skylake-H mobile part that uses the Intel BGA 1440 socket. This fundamental platform difference drives many of the other specifications. The transistor count differs substantially, with the E3-1230 v5 containing 1,750 million transistors and the E3-1535M v5 containing 2,300 million, yet both share the same die size of 122 mm².

The core configuration is identical: 4 cores and 8 threads on both chips. Cache hierarchy is also the same, with 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. Clock speeds differ, with the E3-1230 v5 running a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, while the E3-1535M v5 runs a lower base of 2.90 GHz and a boost of 3.70 GHz. Despite the lower clocks, the mobile part nearly matches the desktop part in benchmarks, which suggests the performance ceiling is similar for these workloads.

The most significant architectural difference is power consumption. The E3-1230 v5 has a TDP of 80 watts, while the E3-1535M v5 is rated at just 45 watts. This 35-watt difference is substantial and reflects the mobile design intent of the E3-1535M v5. Another key difference is integrated graphics: the E3-1230 v5 has no integrated graphics, while the E3-1535M v5 includes HD Graphics P530. Both processors support DDR3 and DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration with 34.1 GB/s of bandwidth, and both support ECC memory. They also share the same PCIe implementation: Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E3-1230 v5 wins on raw performance, albeit by a hair. It takes the top score in all six benchmark comparisons, with the largest margin being 0.3% in Cinebench R20 single-core. This makes it the better choice for applications where every point matters, such as competitive benchmarking or workloads that are extremely sensitive to single-threaded performance. The higher base and boost clocks of 3.40 GHz and 3.80 GHz provide a slight theoretical advantage in burst workloads that do not sustain long enough to be limited by thermal or power constraints.

The Intel Xeon E3-1535M v5 wins on power efficiency and platform versatility. Its 45-watt TDP is nearly half that of the E3-1230 v5’s 80-watt rating, making it suitable for compact or mobile workstation designs where heat dissipation and battery life are critical. The inclusion of HD Graphics P530 means the E3-1535M v5 can operate in systems without a discrete graphics card, which is a significant advantage for a workstation processor. The BGA 1440 socket also implies a soldered, low-profile installation that is typical of mobile workstations, whereas the Socket 1151 of the E3-1230 v5 requires a traditional desktop motherboard.

For multi-threaded workloads, the results are effectively tied. The E3-1230 v5 scores 678, 2827, and 6733 in R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests, respectively, while the E3-1535M v5 scores 677, 2824, and 6726. These differences are under one percent and will not be perceptible in real-world rendering, compilation, or simulation tasks. Single-threaded performance is similarly indistinguishable, with scores of 95, 399, and 950 for the E3-1230 v5 versus 95, 398, and 949 for the E3-1535M v5.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core benchmarks?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1230 v5 wins all three multi-core tests, scoring 678, 2827, and 6733 in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, respectively. The E3-1535M v5 trails by 0.1% in each test with scores of 677, 2824, and 6726.

Q: Is there any benchmark where the E3-1535M v5 wins?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows zero wins for the E3-1535M v5 across all six Cinebench tests. The E3-1230 v5 wins all six, though the largest margin is only 0.3%.

Q: What is the key advantage of the E3-1535M v5?

A: Its 45-watt TDP is significantly lower than the 80-watt TDP of the E3-1230 v5. It also includes HD Graphics P530, which the E3-1230 v5 lacks entirely.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes. Both the E3-1230 v5 and the E3-1535M v5 support ECC memory and feature dual-channel DDR3 and DDR4 support with 34.1 GB/s of bandwidth.

Q: How do these processors compare to their nearest rivals?

A: Both sit at the 44th percentile of all CPUs. The E3-1230 v5 has an average score of 1947, nearly identical to the Intel Core i5-1035G7 at 1948. The E3-1535M v5 scores 1945, just above the Intel Core i7-9850HL at 1941.

Q: What are the release dates?

A: The E3-1230 v5 was released on October 18, 2015, and the E3-1535M v5 was released eight days later on October 26, 2015.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear conclusion: choose the Intel Xeon E3-1230 v5 if you want the best possible benchmark scores and are building a desktop workstation. It wins every single head-to-head test, has a higher base clock of 3.40 GHz versus 2.90 GHz, and a higher boost clock of 3.80 GHz versus 3.70 GHz. The average benchmark score of 1947 versus 1945 confirms its slight edge. However, the margin is so small that it will not matter for most users.

Choose the Intel Xeon E3-1535M v5 if you need a mobile or low-power workstation solution. The 45-watt TDP is a massive advantage over the 80-watt desktop part, and the integrated HD Graphics P530 allows for a system without a discrete GPU. The benchmark scores are virtually identical, so you sacrifice nothing in performance while gaining substantial power savings and platform flexibility. The E3-1535M v5 also has a higher transistor count at 2,300 million versus 1,750 million, though both have the same die size. For a mobile workstation, the E3-1535M v5 is the logical pick. For a desktop where power is not a constraint, the E3-1230 v5 is the nominal winner, but the difference is not worth altering a platform decision.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E3-1230 v5 | Intel Xeon E3-1535M v5 |

|---|---|---|

| Base Clock | 3.40 GHz | 2.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.80 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| TDP | 80 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | Intel BGA 1440 |

| Codename | Skylake-DT | Skylake-H |

| Transistors | 1,750 million | 2,300 million |

| Integrated Graphics | None | HD Graphics P530 |

| Launch MSRP | $261 | $623 |

| Release Date | 2015-10-18 | 2015-10-26 |

| Part Number | SR2LE | SR2FM |