FX-8120 vs Xeon E5-4620

FX-8120 vs Xeon E5-4620 Performance Spectrum

FX-8120

8 / 8

6,594

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

Xeon E5-4620

8 / 16

6,635

+0.6%

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 E5-4620 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 E5-4620: 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 $1,936 less on MSRP ($205 MSRP vs $2,141 MSRP).
✅Delivers 937.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 32.2 vs 3.1 PassMark/$ ($205 MSRP vs $2,141 MSRP).
✅Draws 125W instead of 130W, a 5W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,594 vs 6,635).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 16 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-4620, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads.

Xeon E5-4620

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 3.1 vs 32.2 PassMark/$ ($2,141 MSRP vs $205 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is FX-8120 better than Xeon E5-4620?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-4620 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 E5-4620 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 8 MB).

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

FX-8120 is the better buy right now. FX-8120 comes in $1,936 cheaper on MSRP at $205 MSRP versus $2,141 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-4620 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.6% better PassMark. It is also 937.9% better value on MSRP (32.2 vs 3.1 PassMark/$), 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 E5-4620 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2011), 100% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 8 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 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 E5-4620 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 E5-4620

The Xeon E5-4620 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 16384 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,635 points. Launch price was $400.

⚡

Processing Power

The FX-8120 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, matching the Xeon E5-4620's 8 cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the FX-8120 versus 2.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-4620 — a 42.4% clock advantage for the FX-8120 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The FX-8120 uses the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E5-4620 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the FX-8120 scores 6,594 against the Xeon E5-4620's 6,635 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon E5-4620. L3 cache: 8192 kB on the FX-8120 vs 16384 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-4620.

Feature	FX-8120	Xeon E5-4620
Cores / Threads	8 / 8	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4 GHz+54%	2.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+41%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	8192 kB	16384 kB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	8192 kB+3100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Zambezi (2011−2012)	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
PassMark	6,594	6,635

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Memory & Platform

The FX-8120 uses the AM3+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5-4620 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	FX-8120	Xeon E5-4620
Socket	AM3+	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the FX-8120 was priced at $205, while the Xeon E5-4620 came in at $2141. On launch pricing ($205 vs $2141), FX-8120 was $1936 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the FX-8120 delivers 32.2 pts/$ vs 3.1 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-4620 — making the FX-8120 the 164.8% better value option.

Feature	FX-8120	Xeon E5-4620
MSRP	$205-90%	$2141
Performance per Dollar	32.2+939%	3.1
Release Date	2011	2012

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