Intel Xeon E5630
Intel processor specifications and benchmark scores
ECC MemoryAt a Glance
IntelIntel Xeon E5630 Specifications
Xeon E5630 Core Configuration
Processing cores and threading
The Intel Xeon E5630 features 4 physical cores and 8 threads, which directly impacts multi-threaded performance in CPU benchmarks. More cores allow the processor to handle parallel workloads efficiently, improving performance in video editing, 3D rendering, and multitasking scenarios. Thread count determines how many simultaneous tasks the CPU can process, with higher thread counts benefiting productivity applications and content creation workflows.
E5630 Clock Speeds
Base and boost frequencies
Clock speed is a critical factor in Xeon E5630 benchmark performance, measured in GHz. The base clock represents the guaranteed operating frequency, while the boost clock indicates maximum single-core performance under optimal conditions. Higher clock speeds translate to faster single-threaded performance, which is essential for gaming and applications that don't fully utilize multiple cores. The Xeon E5630 by Intel can dynamically adjust its frequency based on workload and thermal headroom.
Intel's Xeon E5630 Cache Hierarchy
L1, L2, L3 cache sizes
Cache memory is ultra-fast storage built directly into the E5630 processor die. L1 cache provides the fastest access for frequently used data, while L2 and L3 caches offer progressively larger storage with slightly higher latency. Larger cache sizes significantly improve CPU benchmark scores by reducing memory access times. The Xeon E5630's cache configuration is optimized for both gaming performance and productivity workloads, minimizing data fetch delays during intensive computations.
Westmere Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The Intel Xeon E5630 is built on Intel's 32 nm manufacturing process, which determines power efficiency and thermal characteristics. Smaller process nodes allow for more transistors in the same space, enabling higher performance per watt. The architecture defines how the processor handles instructions and manages data flow, directly impacting benchmark results across different workload types. Modern CPU architectures like the one in E5630 incorporate advanced branch prediction and out-of-order execution for optimal performance.
Westmere Instruction Set Features
Supported CPU instructions and extensions
The Xeon E5630 by Intel supports various instruction set extensions that enable optimized performance for specific workloads. SIMD instructions like SSE and AVX accelerate multimedia, scientific computing, and AI workloads by processing multiple data points simultaneously. Features like AES-NI provide hardware-accelerated encryption, while AVX-512 (if supported) enables advanced vector processing for data centers and high-performance computing. These instruction sets are critical for software compatibility and performance in modern applications.
Power & Thermal
TDP and power specifications
The Intel Xeon E5630 has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 80W, indicating the cooling solution required for sustained operation. TDP affects both system power consumption and the type of cooler needed. Lower TDP processors are ideal for compact builds and laptops, while higher TDP chips typically offer better sustained performance in demanding CPU benchmarks. Understanding power requirements helps ensure your system can deliver consistent performance without thermal throttling.
Intel Socket 1366 Platform & Socket
Compatibility information
The Xeon E5630 uses the Intel Socket 1366 socket, which determines motherboard compatibility. Choosing the right platform is essential for building a system around this processor. The socket type also influences available features like PCIe lanes, memory support, and upgrade paths. When comparing CPU benchmarks, ensure you're looking at processors compatible with your existing or planned motherboard to make informed purchasing decisions.
Intel Socket 1366 Memory Support
RAM compatibility and speeds
Memory support specifications for the E5630 define which RAM types and speeds are compatible. Faster memory can significantly improve CPU benchmark performance, especially in memory-intensive applications and gaming. The memory controller integrated into the Xeon E5630 determines maximum supported speeds and channels. Dual-channel or quad-channel memory configurations can double or quadruple memory bandwidth, providing noticeable performance gains in content creation and scientific workloads.
Product Information
Release and pricing details
The Intel Xeon E5630 is manufactured by Intel and represents their commitment to delivering competitive CPU performance. Understanding the release date and pricing helps contextualize benchmark comparisons with other processors from the same generation. Launch pricing provides a baseline for evaluating value, though street prices often differ. Whether you're building a new system or upgrading, the Xeon E5630 by Intel offers a specific balance of performance, features, and cost within Intel's product lineup.
About Intel Xeon E5630
The Intel Xeon E5630 is a server and workstation processor from the Westmere-EP generation, built on a 32 nm process with 1,170 million transistors within a 239 mm² die. It is a 4-core, 8-thread part with a base clock of 2.53 GHz and a boost clock of 2.80 GHz, positioning it as an entry-level legacy Xeon for platforms that require ECC memory support and multi-threaded throughput.
Who Should Consider It
The benchmark data places this processor in the 31st percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 1103. That percentile figure indicates it performs below the majority of modern processors, so it is not suitable for demanding contemporary workloads. The multi-core scores, such as 3207 in Cinebench R23, suggest it can handle basic parallel tasks, but it will struggle with intensive rendering or scientific computing.
For gaming, this Xeon is a poor choice. Its single-core score of 452 in Cinebench R23 is modest, and most modern game engines rely heavily on strong single-thread performance. The data shows it is roughly on par with an Intel Pentium Gold G6605, which is a low-end desktop chip, indicating that gaming frame rates would be limited to older titles or very light e-sports games at best.
For content creation, specifically video editing or 3D modeling, the E5630 offers limited utility. The Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 1346 indicates it can complete simple export tasks, but the 4-core/8-thread configuration is insufficient for complex timelines or high-resolution renders. Office productivity, however, is a viable use case. Spreadsheets, word processing, and web browsing are largely single-threaded and the 452 single-core score in R23, while not fast, is adequate for basic tasks.
A more fitting scenario is legacy server duty. With ECC memory support and a market segment of Server/Workstation, this chip is best suited for running older server software, lightweight virtualization with a few VMs, or as a homelab component where low cost and platform availability outweigh raw speed. The average score of 1103 is identical to the Intel Core i5-3550S, so users should expect performance comparable to a mid-range Ivy Bridge desktop processor from the same era.
Power and Thermals
The E5630 carries a TDP of 80 watts. This classifies it as a moderate-power part for its generation, requiring a capable air cooler rather than a liquid solution or a massive dual-tower heatsink. The 80 W figure is consistent with a 4-core Westmere design at 32 nm, and it implies that thermal management is straightforward in a standard tower chassis.
For server environments, this TDP level means that a single-socket board with a basic active heatsink will suffice. The lack of a high core count keeps heat density low, but the 80 W draw still demands a cooler with a decent fan and a properly ventilated case. Users reusing an older Socket 1366 motherboard should ensure the cooler mounting mechanism is compatible, as this socket was shared with higher-TDP parts that required larger coolers.
The boost clock of 2.80 GHz versus a base of 2.53 GHz indicates a modest thermal headroom, but the data does not provide specific power draw under load. Given the 80 W TDP, the chip will not push a typical power supply to its limits, making it suitable for systems with older or lower-wattage PSUs.
Platform and Compatibility
This processor uses the Intel Socket 1366 platform, which was the high-end desktop and server socket for the Westmere generation. The architecture is Westmere-EP, and the chip is specifically a Xeon variant, meaning it is designed for single or dual-socket server boards. Memory support is DDR3 with a triple-channel memory bus, which is a defining feature of this platform; users must install DIMMs in sets of three to achieve full bandwidth.
ECC memory is supported, which is critical for error-correcting workloads in servers or data integrity-sensitive applications. PCIe support is Gen 2, which limits modern graphics cards or NVMe adapters to older bandwidth standards. The production status is end-of-life, and the release date was 2010-03-15, meaning this is a legacy part with no new availability.
The upgrade path is effectively dead. Socket 1366 was succeeded by Socket 2011, and no newer CPUs fit this socket. Users are limited to other Westmere-EP Xeons or the earlier Nehalem-EP parts, all of which are also end-of-life. The 12 MB shared L3 cache is a positive feature for a 4-core part, but it does not compensate for the old process node and low clock speeds.
FAQ
Q: What is the average benchmark score of the Intel Xeon E5630?
A: The average benchmark score is 1103, which places it in the 31st percentile of all CPUs.
Q: Does this processor support ECC memory?
A: Yes, ECC memory is supported, making it suitable for server and workstation applications where data integrity is critical.
Q: What is the TDP and what cooling does it require?
A: The TDP is 80 watts, which implies a capable air cooler with a fan; a liquid cooler or high-end dual-tower unit is not necessary.
Q: How does it perform in single-threaded workloads?
A: Its single-core score in Cinebench R23 is 452, which is low by modern standards, indicating it is only suitable for basic office tasks or older software.
Q: Can I use this in a gaming PC?
A: It is not recommended. Its multi-core score of 3207 in R23 and single-core score of 452 are both below what modern games require, and it is on par with the Intel Pentium Gold G6605, a low-end desktop chip.
Q: What memory type does it use?
A: It uses DDR3 memory with a triple-channel memory bus, meaning memory should be installed in sets of three modules for optimal bandwidth.
How It Compares
The nearest rival is the Intel Pentium Gold G6605, with an identical average score of 1103 and a delta of 0%. This means the E5630 and the Pentium Gold perform the same on aggregate benchmarks, despite the Xeon being a server part from 2010 and the Pentium being a much newer desktop chip. The Xeon offers ECC memory and a 12 MB L3 cache, but the Pentium likely has higher single-core speed, making the choice depend on whether server features or newer instructions are more important.
The Intel Core i5-3550S also matches with an average score of 1103 and a delta of 0%. This comparison is instructive: the i5-3550S is a quad-core Ivy Bridge desktop chip with a lower TDP, so users moving from that i5 to this Xeon will see no performance change in most applications, only a change in platform features like ECC support and triple-channel memory.
The Intel Core i3-1115GRE is 0.1% slower, with an average score of 1102. This is a modern dual-core mobile chip with a much higher clock speed and newer architecture. The near-identical score indicates that the E5630's extra cores and threads compensate for its age, but the i3 will have far better single-thread performance and power efficiency, making it the better choice for battery-powered or compact systems.
The AMD PRO A12-9800 is 0.1% faster, with an average score of 1104. This is an AMD APU with integrated graphics and four cores. The delta is negligible, meaning real-world performance is indistinguishable. The choice between them would come down to platform features: the Xeon offers ECC and triple-channel memory, while the AMD offers integrated graphics and a newer socket.
Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior
The data shows a clear split between single-thread and multi-thread performance. In Cinebench R23, the single-core score is 452, while the multi-core score is 3207. That is a ratio of roughly 7.1x, which is higher than the 4x thread count, indicating that the processor scales well across its 8 threads. This is expected for a Westmere design with a shared 12 MB L3 cache, which reduces inter-core communication overhead.
The single-core score of 452 is very low in absolute terms, reflecting the 2.53 GHz base clock and the old 32 nm process. In contrast, the multi-core score of 3207 shows that the chip can leverage its threads effectively for parallel workloads. The Cinebench R20 results confirm this: single-core is 189 and multi-core is 1346, a ratio of 7.1x as well, showing consistent scaling.
For real workloads, this means the E5630 is disproportionately better at multi-threaded tasks than single-threaded ones. Applications like video encoding, batch photo processing, or running multiple virtual machines will see relatively decent performance. Conversely, tasks like web browsing, spreadsheet recalculation, or loading a game will be slow, as they rely on single-thread speed.
The boost clock of 2.80 GHz provides only a 10.7% increase over the base clock, so single-thread performance is not significantly improved under load. This reinforces that the chip is not designed for responsiveness but for throughput in server environments where many threads run concurrently. The 8 threads and 12 MB L3 cache make it a better fit for parallel processing than for interactive use.
Detailed benchmark scores and charts for the Intel Xeon E5630 are below.
Benchmark Scores
cinebench_cinebench_r15_multicoreSource
Cinebench R15 multi-core renders a complex 3D scene using all CPU threads simultaneously. This test reveals how Intel Xeon E5630 performs in parallel rendering workloads like video production and 3D animation. The R15 version remains useful for comparing against older hardware benchmarks. Higher scores directly correlate with faster render times in Cinema 4D and similar 3D applications.
Top 5 Performers
Top 5 PerformersNearby Performers
Nearby Performerscinebench_cinebench_r20_multicoreSource
Cinebench R20 multi-core uses a scene requiring 4x more computational power than R15. This test better reflects modern CPU capabilities for professional rendering on Intel Xeon E5630. The more demanding workload provides better differentiation between current-generation processors.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r20_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R20 single-core tests one thread against a more demanding scene than R15. This reveals the true single-thread rendering capability of Intel Xeon E5630. The increased complexity provides more accurate performance differentiation between modern CPUs.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_multicoreSource
Cinebench R23 multi-core is the current standard for CPU rendering benchmarks with a 10-minute minimum runtime. This extended test reveals sustained performance of Intel Xeon E5630 after thermal limits kick in. The longer duration exposes cooling limitations that shorter benchmarks miss.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R23 single-core measures sustained single-thread performance over 10 minutes. This reveals how Intel Xeon E5630 maintains boost clocks under continuous load. The extended runtime shows whether thermal throttling affects single-core performance.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
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