Athlon II X4 638 vs Xeon E3-1220L

Athlon II X4 638 vs Xeon E3-1220L Performance Spectrum

Athlon II X4 638

4 / 4

2,260

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Xeon E3-1220L

2 / 4

2,263

+0.1%

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.

Athlon II X4 638 vs Xeon E3-1220L 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.

Athlon II X4 638 vs Xeon E3-1220L: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Athlon II X4 638

2012

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,260 vs 2,263).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.5 vs 12.0 PassMark/$ ($300 MSRP vs $189 MSRP).
❌225% higher power demand at 65W vs 20W.

Xeon E3-1220L

2011

Why buy it

✅Costs $111 less on MSRP ($189 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).
✅Delivers 58.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 12.0 vs 7.5 PassMark/$ ($189 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).
✅Draws 20W instead of 65W, a 45W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1220L better than Athlon II X4 638?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1220L makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Athlon II X4 638 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E3-1220L is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.1% 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, Xeon E3-1220L is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1220L is the better buy right now. Xeon E3-1220L comes in $111 cheaper on MSRP at $189 MSRP versus $300 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 58.9% better value on MSRP (12.0 vs 7.5 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Athlon II X4 638 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon II X4 638 vs Xeon E3-1220L Technical Specifications

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

Athlon II X4 638

The Athlon II X4 638 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Llano (2011−2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM1. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,260 points. Launch price was $149.

Xeon E3-1220L

The Xeon E3-1220L is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 20 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,263 points. Launch price was $800.

⚡

Processing Power

The Athlon II X4 638 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E3-1220L offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Athlon II X4 638 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Athlon II X4 638 versus 3.4 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220L — a 23% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1220L (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Athlon II X4 638 uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E3-1220L uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X4 638 scores 2,260 against the Xeon E3-1220L's 2,263 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E3-1220L. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X4 638 vs 3 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1220L.

Feature	Athlon II X4 638	Xeon E3-1220L
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz	3.4 GHz+26%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+23%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Llano (2011−2012)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	2,260	2,263

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon II X4 638 uses the FM1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E3-1220L uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Athlon II X4 638	Xeon E3-1220L
Socket	FM1	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1866	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon II X4 638 was priced at $300, while the Xeon E3-1220L came in at $189. On launch pricing ($300 vs $189), Xeon E3-1220L was $111 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X4 638 delivers 7.5 pts/$ vs 12.0 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1220L — making the Xeon E3-1220L the 45.5% better value option.

Feature	Athlon II X4 638	Xeon E3-1220L
MSRP	$300	$189-37%
Performance per Dollar	7.5	12.0+60%
Release Date	2012	2011

Search Athlon II X4 638 on Amazon

Search Xeon E3-1220L on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.