FX-8120 vs Xeon E3-1275 v2
FX-8120
Xeon E3-1275 v2
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The FX-8120 is positioned at rank 567 and the Xeon E3-1275 v2 is on rank 697, so the FX-8120 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar FX-8120
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1275 v2
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | FX-8120 | Xeon E3-1275 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($40) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($426) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Zambezi (2011−2012) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | FX-8120 | Xeon E3-1275 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+957%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($40) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($426) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of FX-8120 and Xeon E3-1275 v2
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.
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 | — | ✅ |
| 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
The FX-8120 launched at $205 MSRP, while the Xeon E3-1275 v2 debuted at $426. At current prices ($40 vs $426), the FX-8120 is $386 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the FX-8120 delivers 164.8 pts/$ vs 15.6 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1275 v2 — making the FX-8120 the 165.4% better value option.
| Feature | FX-8120 | Xeon E3-1275 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $205-52% | $426 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $40-91% | $426 |
| Performance per Dollar | 164.8+956% | 15.6 |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2012 |
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