FX-8120 vs Xeon E3-1275 v2

CPU

GPU

FX-8120

8 Cores8 Thrd125 WWMax: 4 GHz2011

Similar parts

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Xeon E3-1275 v2

4 Cores8 Thrd77 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2012

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FX-8120 vs Xeon E3-1275 v2 Performance Spectrum

FX-8120

8 / 8

6,594

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

Xeon E3-1275 v2

4 / 8

6,644

+0.8%

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 E3-1275 v2 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 E3-1275 v2: 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

✅Costs $221 less on MSRP ($205 MSRP vs $426 MSRP).
✅Delivers 106.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 32.2 vs 15.6 PassMark/$ ($205 MSRP vs $426 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,594 vs 6,644).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E3-1275 v2, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads and 20 PCIe lanes.
❌62.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 77W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Xeon E3-1275 v2 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Xeon E3-1275 v2.

Xeon E3-1275 v2

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads, plus 20 PCIe lanes vs 0.
✅Draws 77W instead of 125W, a 48W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics P4000, while FX-8120 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 15.6 vs 32.2 PassMark/$ ($426 MSRP vs $205 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1275 v2 better than FX-8120?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1275 v2 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 streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1275 v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1275 v2 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Xeon E3-1275 v2 comes in 107.8% more expensive on MSRP at $426 MSRP versus $205 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark. FX-8120 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 106.2% better value on paper (32.2 vs 15.6 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM3+.

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

Xeon E3-1275 v2 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 8/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

FX-8120 vs Xeon E3-1275 v2 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 E3-1275 v2

The Xeon E3-1275 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 77 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,644 points. Launch price was $808.

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Processing Power

The FX-8120 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E3-1275 v2 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the FX-8120 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the FX-8120 versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E3-1275 v2 — a 2.5% clock advantage for the FX-8120 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The FX-8120 uses the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E3-1275 v2 uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the FX-8120 scores 6,594 against the Xeon E3-1275 v2's 6,644 — a 0.8% lead for the Xeon E3-1275 v2. L3 cache: 8192 kB on the FX-8120 vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1275 v2.

Feature	FX-8120	Xeon E3-1275 v2
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+100%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4 GHz+3%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz	3.5 GHz+13%
L3 Cache	8192 kB	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	8192 kB+3100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Zambezi (2011−2012)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	6,594	6,644
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,000
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	4,000

🧠

Memory & Platform

The FX-8120 uses the AM3+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E3-1275 v2 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	FX-8120	Xeon E3-1275 v2
Socket	AM3+	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	32.77 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (FX-8120) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E3-1275 v2). The Xeon E3-1275 v2 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics P4000), while the FX-8120 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon E3-1275 v2 targets Server/Workstation.

Feature	FX-8120	Xeon E3-1275 v2
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel HD Graphics P4000
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Server/Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the FX-8120 was priced at $205, while the Xeon E3-1275 v2 came in at $426. On launch pricing ($205 vs $426), FX-8120 was $221 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the FX-8120 delivers 32.2 pts/$ vs 15.6 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1275 v2 — making the FX-8120 the 69.4% better value option.

Feature	FX-8120	Xeon E3-1275 v2
MSRP	$205-52%	$426
Performance per Dollar	32.2+106%	15.6
Release Date	2011	2012

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