FX-8120 vs Xeon E5-2630L v2

CPU

GPU

FX-8120

8 Cores8 Thrd125 WWMax: 4 GHz2011

Similar parts

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Xeon E5-2630L v2

6 Cores12 Thrd60 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2013

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FX-8120 vs Xeon E5-2630L v2 Performance Spectrum

FX-8120

8 / 8

6,594

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

Xeon E5-2630L v2

6 / 12

6,640

+0.7%

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 E5-2630L 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 E5-2630L 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 $407 less on MSRP ($205 MSRP vs $612 MSRP).
✅Delivers 196.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 32.2 vs 10.8 PassMark/$ ($205 MSRP vs $612 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2630L v2 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,594 vs 6,640).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 15 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2630L v2, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads.
❌108.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 60W.

Xeon E5-2630L v2

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads.
✅Draws 60W instead of 125W, a 65W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.8 vs 32.2 PassMark/$ ($612 MSRP vs $205 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2630L v2 better than FX-8120?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2630L 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 gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-2630L v2 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.3% 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, Xeon E5-2630L v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2630L v2 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Xeon E5-2630L v2 comes in 198.5% more expensive on MSRP at $612 MSRP versus $205 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. FX-8120 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 196.5% better value on paper (32.2 vs 10.8 PassMark/$), 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 E5-2630L v2 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2011), 87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 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 E5-2630L 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 E5-2630L v2

The Xeon E5-2630L v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 60 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,640 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The FX-8120 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2630L v2 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the FX-8120 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the FX-8120 versus 2.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-2630L v2 — a 35.3% clock advantage for the FX-8120 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The FX-8120 uses the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E5-2630L v2 uses Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the FX-8120 scores 6,594 against the Xeon E5-2630L v2's 6,640 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon E5-2630L v2. L3 cache: 8192 kB on the FX-8120 vs 15 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2630L v2.

Feature	FX-8120	Xeon E5-2630L v2
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+33%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4 GHz+43%	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+29%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	8192 kB	15 MB (total)+88%
L2 Cache	8192 kB+3100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Zambezi (2011−2012)	Ivy Bridge-EP (2013)
PassMark	6,594	6,640

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Memory & Platform

The FX-8120 uses the AM3+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5-2630L v2 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	FX-8120	Xeon E5-2630L v2
Socket	AM3+	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 4.0+100%

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Value Analysis

At launch, the FX-8120 was priced at $205, while the Xeon E5-2630L v2 came in at $612. On launch pricing ($205 vs $612), FX-8120 was $407 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the FX-8120 delivers 32.2 pts/$ vs 10.8 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2630L v2 — making the FX-8120 the 99.1% better value option.

Feature	FX-8120	Xeon E5-2630L v2
MSRP	$205-67%	$612
Performance per Dollar	32.2+198%	10.8
Release Date	2011	2013

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