FX-8120 vs Xeon E5-2623 v3

CPU

GPU

FX-8120

8 Cores8 Thrd125 WWMax: 4 GHz2011

Similar parts

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Xeon E5-2623 v3

4 Cores8 Thrd105 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2014

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FX-8120 vs Xeon E5-2623 v3 Performance Spectrum

FX-8120

8 / 8

6,594

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

Xeon E5-2623 v3

4 / 8

6,652

+0.9%

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 E5-2623 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-8120 vs Xeon E5-2623 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-8120

2011

Why buy it

✅Costs $239 less on MSRP ($205 MSRP vs $444 MSRP).
✅Delivers 114.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 32.2 vs 15.0 PassMark/$ ($205 MSRP vs $444 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,594 vs 6,652).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 10 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2623 v3, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.
❌19% higher power demand at 125W vs 105W.

Xeon E5-2623 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 0.
✅Draws 105W instead of 125W, a 20W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 15.0 vs 32.2 PassMark/$ ($444 MSRP vs $205 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2623 v3 better than FX-8120?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2623 v3 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 E5-2623 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2623 v3 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Xeon E5-2623 v3 comes in 116.6% more expensive on MSRP at $444 MSRP versus $205 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. FX-8120 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 114.7% better value on paper (32.2 vs 15.0 PassMark/$), 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 E5-2623 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2011), 25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB), 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 E5-2623 v3 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 E5-2623 v3

The Xeon E5-2623 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 6,652 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The FX-8120 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2623 v3 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the FX-8120 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the FX-8120 versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2623 v3 — a 13.3% clock advantage for the FX-8120 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3 GHz). The FX-8120 uses the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E5-2623 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the FX-8120 scores 6,594 against the Xeon E5-2623 v3's 6,652 — a 0.9% lead for the Xeon E5-2623 v3. L3 cache: 8192 kB on the FX-8120 vs 10 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2623 v3.

Feature	FX-8120	Xeon E5-2623 v3
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+100%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4 GHz+14%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+3%	3 GHz
L3 Cache	8192 kB	10 MB (total)+25%
L2 Cache	8192 kB+3100%	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Zambezi (2011−2012)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	6,594	6,652
Geekbench 6 Single	—	899
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	3,683

🧠

Memory & Platform

The FX-8120 uses the AM3+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5-2623 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	FX-8120	Xeon E5-2623 v3
Socket	AM3+	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-1866
Max RAM Capacity	—	768 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (FX-8120) / Yes (Xeon E5-2623 v3). Primary use case: Xeon E5-2623 v3 targets Server.

Feature	FX-8120	Xeon E5-2623 v3
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	Yes
Target Use	—	Server

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the FX-8120 was priced at $205, while the Xeon E5-2623 v3 came in at $444. On launch pricing ($205 vs $444), FX-8120 was $239 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the FX-8120 delivers 32.2 pts/$ vs 15.0 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2623 v3 — making the FX-8120 the 72.9% better value option.

Feature	FX-8120	Xeon E5-2623 v3
MSRP	$205-54%	$444
Performance per Dollar	32.2+115%	15.0
Release Date	2011	2014

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