3020e vs Xeon E5-2403

3020e vs Xeon E5-2403 Performance Spectrum

3020e

2 / 2

2,406

+1.6%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Xeon E5-2403

4 / 8

2,367

0.0%

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

3020e vs Xeon E5-2403 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

3020e vs Xeon E5-2403: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

3020e

2020

Why buy it

✅Draws 1W instead of 80W, a 79W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (8 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon Graphics (Vega 3), while Xeon E5-2403 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 10 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2403, which brings 4 cores / 4 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $100 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2403 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-2403

2012

Why buy it

✅+150% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 4 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,367 vs 2,406).
❌7900% higher power demand at 80W vs 1W.
❌No integrated graphics, while 3020e can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is 3020e better than Xeon E5-2403?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2403 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while 3020e is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, 3020e is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.7% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, 3020e is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

3020e is the better buy right now. 3020e comes in at an unclear MSRP at $100 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (24.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

3020e makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

3020e vs Xeon E5-2403 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

3020e

The 3020e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Dali (Zen) (2020) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FT5. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB + 4 MB. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,406 points. Launch price was $50.

Xeon E5-2403

The Xeon E5-2403 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 10240 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,367 points. Launch price was $230.

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Processing Power

The 3020e packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Xeon E5-2403 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon E5-2403 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the 3020e versus 1.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-2403 — a 36.4% clock advantage for the 3020e (base: 1.2 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The 3020e uses the Dali (Zen) (2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2403 uses Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the 3020e scores 2,406 against the Xeon E5-2403's 2,367 — a 1.6% lead for the 3020e. L3 cache: 4 MB on the 3020e vs 10240 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2403.

Feature	3020e	Xeon E5-2403
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz+44%	1.8 GHz
Base Clock	1.2 GHz	1.8 GHz+50%
L3 Cache	4 MB	10240 kB (total)+150%
L2 Cache	1 MB+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Dali (Zen) (2020)	Sandy Bridge-EN (2012)
PassMark	2,406+2%	2,367
Cinebench R23 Multi	480	—
Geekbench 6 Single	660	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,100	—

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Memory & Platform

The 3020e uses the FT5 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2403 uses LGA1356 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	3020e	Xeon E5-2403
Socket	FT5	LGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	8	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (3020e) / not specified (Xeon E5-2403). The 3020e includes integrated graphics (Radeon Graphics (Vega 3)), while the Xeon E5-2403 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: 3020e targets Entry Level Laptop. Direct competitor: 3020e rivals Celeron N4020.