FX-8120 vs Xeon E3-1240L v5

FX-8120 vs Xeon E3-1240L v5 Performance Spectrum

FX-8120

8 / 8

6,594

+0.7%

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

Xeon E3-1240L v5

4 / 8

6,547

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-8120 vs Xeon E3-1240L v5 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-8120 vs Xeon E3-1240L v5: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

FX-8120

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $205 MSRP, while Xeon E3-1240L v5 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌400% higher power demand at 125W vs 25W.

Xeon E3-1240L v5

2015

Why buy it

✅Draws 25W instead of 125W, a 100W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-8120 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,547 vs 6,594).

Quick Answers

So, is FX-8120 better than Xeon E3-1240L v5?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1240L v5 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while FX-8120 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-8120 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 9.1% 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, FX-8120 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

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

FX-8120 is the better buy right now. FX-8120 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $205 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (32.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E3-1240L v5 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

FX-8120 vs Xeon E3-1240L v5 Technical Specifications

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

FX-8120

The FX-8120 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 12 October 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB. L2 cache: 8192 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,594 points. Launch price was $149.

Xeon E3-1240L v5

The Xeon E3-1240L v5 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-DT (2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866/2133, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 6,547 points. Launch price was $278.

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Processing Power

The FX-8120 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E3-1240L v5 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the FX-8120 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the FX-8120 versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon E3-1240L v5 — a 22.2% clock advantage for the FX-8120 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The FX-8120 uses the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E3-1240L v5 uses Skylake-DT (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the FX-8120 scores 6,594 against the Xeon E3-1240L v5's 6,547 — a 0.7% lead for the FX-8120. L3 cache: 8192 kB on the FX-8120 vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1240L v5.

Feature	FX-8120	Xeon E3-1240L v5
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+100%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4 GHz+25%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+48%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	8192 kB	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	8192 kB+3100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Zambezi (2011−2012)	Skylake-DT (2015)
PassMark	6,594	6,547

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Memory & Platform

The FX-8120 uses the AM3+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E3-1240L v5 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.