Core i5-3570K vs Xeon E5-2420

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.

Core i5-3570K vs Xeon E5-2420 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.

Core i5-3570K vs Xeon E5-2420: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-3570K

2012

Why buy it

✅Draws 77W instead of 95W, a 18W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4000, while Xeon E5-2420 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Xeon E5-2420.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2420 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (4,971 vs 5,012).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 15 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2420, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $225 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2420 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-2420

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+150% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads.

Trade-offs

❌23.4% higher power demand at 95W vs 77W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-3570K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-3570K.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2420 better than Core i5-3570K?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2420 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-3570K 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 E5-2420 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.7% 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, Xeon E5-2420 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 150% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2420 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Xeon E5-2420 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-3570K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (22.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

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

Xeon E5-2420 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 150% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 6 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-3570K vs Xeon E5-2420 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-3570K

The Core i5-3570K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 77 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,971 points. Launch price was $235.

Xeon E5-2420

The Xeon E5-2420 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 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,012 points. Launch price was $390.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-3570K packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E5-2420 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2420 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-3570K versus 2.4 GHz on the Xeon E5-2420 — a 45.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-3570K (base: 3.4 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The Core i5-3570K uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-2420 uses Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3570K scores 4,971 against the Xeon E5-2420's 5,012 — a 0.8% lead for the Xeon E5-2420. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3570K vs 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2420.

Feature	Core i5-3570K	Xeon E5-2420
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+58%	2.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+79%	1.9 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	15360 kB (total)+150%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Sandy Bridge-EN (2012)
PassMark	4,971	5,012
Geekbench 6 Single	1,000	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3570K uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2420 uses LGA1356 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-3570K	Xeon E5-2420
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, EPT (Core i5-3570K) / not specified (Xeon E5-2420). The Core i5-3570K includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Xeon E5-2420 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3570K targets Legacy Gaming Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-3570K rivals FX-8350.