E2-3800
Xeon 5120
E2-3800 vs Xeon 5120 Performance Spectrum
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.
E2-3800 vs Xeon 5120 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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Among Us
Apex Legends
ARC Raiders
Baldur's Gate 3
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
E2-3800 vs Xeon 5120: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict
See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.
E2-3800
2013Why buy it
- ✅+1.9% higher PassMark.
- ✅Costs $7 less on MSRP ($100 MSRP vs $107 MSRP).
- ✅Delivers 9.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 11.4 vs 10.4 PassMark/$ ($100 MSRP vs $107 MSRP).
- ✅Draws 15W instead of 65W, a 50W reduction.
- ✅100+% more PCIe lanes (4 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
Trade-offs
- ❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.
Xeon 5120
2006Why buy it
Trade-offs
- ❌Lower PassMark (1,115 vs 1,136).
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.4 vs 11.4 PassMark/$ ($107 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
- ❌333.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 15W.
- ❌No integrated graphics, while E2-3800 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
Quick Answers
So, is E2-3800 better than Xeon 5120?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
E2-3800 vs Xeon 5120 Technical Specifications
Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.
E2-3800
The E2-3800 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Kabini (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 1.3 GHz. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FT3. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,136 points. Launch price was $50.
Xeon 5120
The Xeon 5120 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Junho 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the Woodcrest (2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.86 GHz, with boost up to 1.87 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA771. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 1,115 points. Launch price was $45.
Processing Power
The E2-3800 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon 5120 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the E2-3800 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.3 GHz on the E2-3800 versus 1.87 GHz on the Xeon 5120 — a 36% clock advantage for the Xeon 5120. The E2-3800 uses the Kabini (2013−2014) architecture (28 nm), while the Xeon 5120 uses Woodcrest (2006) (65 nm). In PassMark, the E2-3800 scores 1,136 against the Xeon 5120's 1,115 — a 1.9% lead for the E2-3800.
| Feature | E2-3800 | Xeon 5120 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 1.3 GHz | 1.87 GHz+44% |
| Base Clock | — | 1.86 GHz |
| L3 Cache | — | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 2048 kB | 4 MB+100% |
| Process | 28 nm-57% | 65 nm |
| Architecture | Kabini (2013−2014) | Woodcrest (2006) |
| PassMark | 1,136+2% | 1,115 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 136 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 389 | — |
Memory & Platform
The E2-3800 uses the FT3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon 5120 uses LGA771 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | E2-3800 | Xeon 5120 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FT3 | LGA771 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 1 | — |
| ECC Support | Yes | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 4 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: Yes (E2-3800) / not specified (Xeon 5120). The E2-3800 includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 8280), while the Xeon 5120 requires a dedicated GPU.
| Feature | E2-3800 | Xeon 5120 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Radeon HD 8280 | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | Yes | — |
Value Analysis
At launch, the E2-3800 was priced at $100, while the Xeon 5120 came in at $107. On launch pricing ($100 vs $107), E2-3800 was $7 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the E2-3800 delivers 11.4 pts/$ vs 10.4 pts/$ for the Xeon 5120 — making the E2-3800 the 8.6% better value option.
| Feature | E2-3800 | Xeon 5120 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $100-7% | $107 |
| Performance per Dollar | 11.4+10% | 10.4 |
| Release Date | 2013 | 2006 |
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