FX-4300 vs Xeon E5-2637

AMD

FX-4300

4 Cores4 Thrd95 WWMax: 4 GHz2012
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Xeon E5-2637

2 Cores4 Thrd80 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2012
Similar parts
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FX-4300 vs Xeon E5-2637 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.

FX-4300 vs Xeon E5-2637 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.

FX-4300 vs Xeon E5-2637: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

FX-4300

2012

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +9.1% higher average FPS across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $763 less on MSRP ($122 MSRP vs $885 MSRP).
  • Delivers 629.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 24.5 vs 3.4 PassMark/$ ($122 MSRP vs $885 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2637, which brings 2 cores / 4 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.
  • 18.8% higher power demand at 95W vs 80W.

Xeon E5-2637

2012

Why buy it

  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 2 cores / 4 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 0.
  • Draws 80W instead of 95W, a 15W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-4300 across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (2,978 vs 2,995).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 3.4 vs 24.5 PassMark/$ ($885 MSRP vs $122 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is FX-4300 better than Xeon E5-2637?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2637 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while FX-4300 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, FX-4300 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 9.1% more average FPS across 49 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, FX-4300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
FX-4300 is the better buy right now. FX-4300 comes in $763 cheaper on MSRP at $122 MSRP versus $885 MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.1% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 629.6% better value on MSRP (24.5 vs 3.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
FX-4300 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

FX-4300 vs Xeon E5-2637 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

FX-4300

The FX-4300 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 23 October 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L2 cache: 4096 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,995 points. Launch price was $122.

Intel

Xeon E5-2637

The Xeon E5-2637 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 5120 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,978 points. Launch price was $800.

Processing Power

The FX-4300 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E5-2637 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the FX-4300 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the FX-4300 versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2637 — a 13.3% clock advantage for the FX-4300 (base: 3.8 GHz vs 3 GHz). The FX-4300 uses the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E5-2637 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the FX-4300 scores 2,995 against the Xeon E5-2637's 2,978 — a 0.6% lead for the FX-4300.

FeatureFX-4300Xeon E5-2637
Cores / Threads
4 / 4+100%
2 / 4
Boost Clock
4 GHz+14%
3.5 GHz
Base Clock
3.8 GHz+27%
3 GHz
L3 Cache
5120 kB (total)
L2 Cache
4096 kB+1500%
256 kB (per core)
Process
32 nm
32 nm
Architecture
Vishera (2012−2015)
Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
PassMark
2,995
2,978
Cinebench R23 Multi
2,000
Geekbench 6 Single
550
Geekbench 6 Multi
1,500
🧠

Memory & Platform

The FX-4300 uses the AM3+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5-2637 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureFX-4300Xeon E5-2637
Socket
AM3+
LGA2011
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 4.0+100%
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity
384 GB
RAM Channels
4
ECC Support
Yes
PCIe Lanes
40
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (FX-4300) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E5-2637). Primary use case: Xeon E5-2637 targets Server.

FeatureFX-4300Xeon E5-2637
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Server
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the FX-4300 was priced at $122, while the Xeon E5-2637 came in at $885. On launch pricing ($122 vs $885), FX-4300 was $763 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the FX-4300 delivers 24.5 pts/$ vs 3.4 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2637 — making the FX-4300 the 151.8% better value option.

FeatureFX-4300Xeon E5-2637
MSRP
$122-86%
$885
Performance per Dollar
24.5+621%
3.4
Release Date
2012
2012

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