A10-5800K vs Xeon W3520

A10-5800K vs Xeon W3520 Performance Spectrum

A10-5800K

4 / 4

2,963

+0.8%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Xeon W3520

4 / 8

2,940

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.

A10-5800K vs Xeon W3520 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.

A10-5800K vs Xeon W3520: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A10-5800K

2012

Why buy it

✅Draws 100W instead of 130W, a 30W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 7660D, while Xeon W3520 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Xeon W3520.

Trade-offs

❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon W3520, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads.

Xeon W3520

2009

Why buy it

✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,940 vs 2,963).
❌Launch MSRP is still $284 MSRP, while A10-5800K mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌30% higher power demand at 130W vs 100W.
❌No integrated graphics, while A10-5800K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike A10-5800K.

Quick Answers

So, is A10-5800K better than Xeon W3520?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W3520 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while A10-5800K is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, A10-5800K is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.2% 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, A10-5800K is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

A10-5800K is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon W3520 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. A10-5800K comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $284 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon W3520 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (10.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

A10-5800K makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

A10-5800K vs Xeon W3520 Technical Specifications

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

A10-5800K

The A10-5800K is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2 October 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 100 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,963 points. Launch price was $122.

Xeon W3520

The Xeon W3520 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 March 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 2.93 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,940 points. Launch price was $404.

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Processing Power

The A10-5800K packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Xeon W3520's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the A10-5800K versus 2.93 GHz on the Xeon W3520 — a 35.6% clock advantage for the A10-5800K (base: 3.8 GHz vs 2.66 GHz). The A10-5800K uses the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon W3520 uses Bloomfield (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the A10-5800K scores 2,963 against the Xeon W3520's 2,940 — a 0.8% lead for the A10-5800K. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A10-5800K vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon W3520.

Feature	A10-5800K	Xeon W3520
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+43%	2.93 GHz
Base Clock	3.8 GHz+43%	2.66 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Trinity (2012−2013)	Bloomfield (2008−2010)
PassMark	2,963	2,940
Geekbench 6 Single	461	—

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Memory & Platform

The A10-5800K uses the FM2 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon W3520 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	A10-5800K	Xeon W3520
Socket	FM2	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1866	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (A10-5800K) / not specified (Xeon W3520). The A10-5800K includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 7660D), while the Xeon W3520 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A10-5800K targets Budget. Direct competitor: A10-5800K rivals Core i3-3225.