FX-6120 vs Xeon E5-2603 v3

FX-6120 vs Xeon E5-2603 v3 Performance Spectrum

FX-6120

6 / 6

3,853

+0.7%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Xeon E5-2603 v3

6 / 6

3,825

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.

FX-6120 vs Xeon E5-2603 v3 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-6120 vs Xeon E5-2603 v3: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

FX-6120

2012

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 15 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $188 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2603 v3 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-2603 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Draws 85W instead of 95W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,825 vs 3,853).

Quick Answers

So, is FX-6120 better than Xeon E5-2603 v3?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2603 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while FX-6120 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-6120 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.7% 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, FX-6120 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads.

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

FX-6120 is the better buy right now. FX-6120 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $188 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (20.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Xeon E5-2603 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2012) and 87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

FX-6120 vs Xeon E5-2603 v3 Technical Specifications

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

FX-6120

The FX-6120 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 23 October 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,853 points. Launch price was $69.

Xeon E5-2603 v3

The Xeon E5-2603 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 1.6 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 85 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 3,825 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

Both the FX-6120 and Xeon E5-2603 v3 share an identical 6-core/6-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the FX-6120 versus 1.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2603 v3 — a 89.7% clock advantage for the FX-6120 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The FX-6120 uses the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E5-2603 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the FX-6120 scores 3,853 against the Xeon E5-2603 v3's 3,825 — a 0.7% lead for the FX-6120. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the FX-6120 vs 15 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2603 v3.

Feature	FX-6120	Xeon E5-2603 v3
Cores / Threads	6 / 6	6 / 6
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+163%	1.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+125%	1.6 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	15 MB (total)+88%
L2 Cache	6 MB	256K (per core)+4167%
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Zambezi (2011−2012)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	3,853	3,825

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Memory & Platform

The FX-6120 uses the AM3+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5-2603 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.