Intel Xeon E3-1230 v6 4-core LGA1151
The 14nm Xeon E3-1230 v6 delivers stable server performance with 4 cores, 8 threads, and a 3.9GHz boost clock on the LGA1151 socket at a 72W TDP. Its 8MB L3 cache and ECC memory support provide reliable data integrity for always-on workloads at a low total cost of ownership. This processor is best for small business server administrators running file sharing, web hosting, or light virtualization tasks.
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Aperçu
The 30-Second Version
A 2017 server chip priced like it's still 2017. Four cores and no iGPU at $450 is a joke, buy a modern budget CPU instead.
Pros & Cons
Points forts
- ECC memory support for data integrity
- Low 72W TDP keeps power bills sane
- Solid single-thread performance for its age
- LGA1151 socket means cheap used motherboards
Points faibles
- Four cores in 2024 is rough for anything serious
- Pricing is absurd for what you get
- No integrated graphics, you need a dGPU
- Gaming performance is basically a slideshow
Les preuves
Performance
The PassMark numbers tell the story. 8084 multi and 2220 single put this Xeon at the 56th and 64th percentiles respectively, which sounds okay until you realize those percentiles include a lot of ancient hardware. The 8MB of L3 cache and DDR4 ECC support are nice for a home NAS or small virtualization box, but the 72W TDP for four cores is not exactly efficient by modern standards. What surprised us most is that the single-thread score actually holds up better than the multi-thread, which is backwards from what you'd expect from a server chip.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| Brand | Intel |
| Series | Xeon |
| Model | E3-1230 v6 |
| Class | server |
| Process | 14 |
Cores & Clocks
| Cores | 4 |
| Threads | 8 |
| Base Clock | 3500 |
| Boost Clock | 3900 |
Cache
| L2 Cache | 1 |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB |
Performance
| PassMark Multi | 8084 |
| PassMark Single | 2220 |
Memory
| Memory Type | DDR4 |
| Max Memory | 64 |
| ECC | Yes |
Platform & Power
| Socket | LGA1151 |
| TDP | 72 |
| Unlocked | No |
vs Competition
The Xeon E3-1230 v6 gets absolutely destroyed by the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D in every possible way, but that's not a fair fight. The real comparison is against any modern budget chip. A Ryzen 5 5600 or even an older Ryzen 7 3700X will crush this Xeon in multi-threaded workloads while using less power and costing less. The Lenovo Ryzen 5 option in our database also beats it on value. The only reason to pick the Xeon is if you specifically need ECC memory on a budget LGA1151 board, and even then, used Xeon E3 v5 chips are cheaper and nearly identical.
| Spec | Intel Xeon E3-1230 v6 | AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D | SMC EPYC 9555P | HP Xeon 6526Y | CG CHIPS GATE EPYC 6GK7443-1EX30-0XE0 1PC New 6GK7443-1EX30-0XE0 Communications Processor | MICRO CENTER 9950X3DMAGX870ETMKWF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cores | 4 | 8 | 64 | 16 | 24 | - |
| Threads | 8 | 16 | 128 | 32 | 48 | - |
| Boost Clock Mhz | 3900 | 5200 | 4400 | 3900 | 4000 | - |
| L3 Cache Mb | 8 | 96 | 256 | 37 | 128 | - |
| Tdp W | 72 | 120 | 360 | 195 | 200 | - |
| Socket | LGA1151 | AM5 | AMD Socket SP5 | LGA 4677 | AMD Socket SP3 | - |
| Integrated Graphics | - | AMD Radeon Graphics | - | No | - | - |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Produit | AI | Feature | Platform | Efficiency | Multi Thread | Preuve sociale | Affordability | Single Thread |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Xeon E3-1230 v6 | 55.2 | 20.7 | 50.4 | 59.8 | 55.6 | 49.7 | 15.7 | 63.9 |
| AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Compare | 91.6 | 98.6 | 95.2 | 88.7 | 89.1 | 96.4 | 23.4 | 95 |
| SMC EPYC 9555P Compare | 99.3 | 77.4 | 96.7 | 89.5 | 99.4 | 0 | 0.4 | 85.8 |
| HP Xeon 6526Y Compare | 92 | 77.4 | 90.8 | 79.3 | 89.8 | 0 | 2.7 | 80.5 |
| CG CHIPS GATE EPYC 6GK7443-1EX30-0XE0 1PC New 6GK7443-1EX30-0XE0 Communications Processor Compare | 94.8 | 77.4 | 84.5 | 85 | 93.8 | 36.2 | 5.3 | 80.4 |
| MICRO CENTER 9950X3DMAGX870ETMKWF Compare | 85.8 | 20.7 | 17.4 | 66.6 | 97 | 0 | 6.4 | 98.3 |
Prix
Value & Pricing
This is where it falls apart. At $450 USD, or 899 EUR, or 589 GBP, you're paying modern mid-range CPU money for a chip that gets smoked by a $120 Ryzen 5 5600 in every metric. The 16th percentile affordability score is generous. Unless you find one used for under $80, this is a hard pass.
En savoir plus
Overview
The Intel Xeon E3-1230 v6 is a server chip that time forgot. Four cores, eight threads, and a 3.9GHz boost clock made sense back in 2017, but in today's market this thing is a relic. The one thing to know: it's a Kaby Lake-era workhorse that still handles basic productivity and light server duty fine, but you're paying collector prices for hardware that modern budget chips embarrass.
Common Questions
Q: Can I use this for gaming?
Technically yes, but you'll need a dedicated GPU since there's no integrated graphics. The 28.7 gaming score is one of the worst we've seen. Even a $100 used Ryzen 5 3600 will run circles around it in games.
Q: Does this work in a regular LGA1151 motherboard?
Yes, but only with specific chipsets. You need a C232 or C236 chipset board for full ECC support. Some consumer boards will boot it, but you lose the ECC feature that makes this chip worth considering.
Q: Is this good for a home server or NAS?
It's decent for that use case. The 72W TDP is manageable, ECC support is great for data integrity, and the 64GB RAM ceiling is plenty for most home server tasks. But again, buy it used. New pricing kills the value proposition.
Who Should Skip This
If you're building a gaming rig or a workstation for anything beyond basic office work, this isn't it. Go grab a Ryzen 5 5600 or Core i5-12400 instead. If you need ECC memory, look for a used Xeon E3 v5 or a Ryzen PRO chip, both of which offer better value than this at retail pricing.
Verdict
Skip it. The Xeon E3-1230 v6 was a fine chip in 2017, but buying one today at these prices is like paying full retail for a five-year-old phone. If you need ECC on the cheap, hunt for a used one under $80. Otherwise, put your money toward literally any modern Ryzen or Core i5 and you'll be happier.
