FX-8150 vs Xeon E5-2620

FX-8150 vs Xeon E5-2620 Performance Spectrum

FX-8150

8 / 8

5,318

0.0%

Athlon Silver 3050U

Ryzen Embedded V1202B

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

Xeon E5-2620

6 / 12

5,328

+0.2%

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-8150 vs Xeon E5-2620 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-8150 vs Xeon E5-2620: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

FX-8150

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $115 less on MSRP ($245 MSRP vs $360 MSRP).
✅Delivers 46.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 21.7 vs 14.8 PassMark/$ ($245 MSRP vs $360 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,318 vs 5,328).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 15 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2620, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.
❌31.6% higher power demand at 125W vs 95W.

Xeon E5-2620

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 0.
✅Draws 95W instead of 125W, a 30W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-8150 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.8 vs 21.7 PassMark/$ ($360 MSRP vs $245 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2620 better than FX-8150?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2620 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while FX-8150 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 E5-2620 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% 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 E5-2620 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Xeon E5-2620 comes in 46.9% more expensive on MSRP at $360 MSRP versus $245 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. FX-8150 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 46.7% better value on paper (21.7 vs 14.8 PassMark/$), 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 E5-2620 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 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-8150 vs Xeon E5-2620 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

FX-8150

The FX-8150 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 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 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: 5,318 points. Launch price was $149.

Xeon E5-2620

The Xeon E5-2620 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 15360 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: 5,328 points. Launch price was $36.

⚡

Processing Power

The FX-8150 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2620 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the FX-8150 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the FX-8150 versus 2.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2620 — a 50.7% clock advantage for the FX-8150 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2 GHz). The FX-8150 uses the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E5-2620 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the FX-8150 scores 5,318 against the Xeon E5-2620's 5,328 — a 0.2% lead for the Xeon E5-2620. L3 cache: 8192 kB on the FX-8150 vs 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2620.

Feature	FX-8150	Xeon E5-2620
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+33%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+68%	2.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+80%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	8192 kB	15360 kB (total)+88%
L2 Cache	8192 kB+3100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Zambezi (2011−2012)	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
PassMark	5,318	5,328

🧠

Memory & Platform

The FX-8150 uses the AM3+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5-2620 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	FX-8150	Xeon E5-2620
Socket	AM3+	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	—	384 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the FX-8150 was priced at $245, while the Xeon E5-2620 came in at $360. On launch pricing ($245 vs $360), FX-8150 was $115 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the FX-8150 delivers 21.7 pts/$ vs 14.8 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2620 — making the FX-8150 the 37.8% better value option.

Feature	FX-8150	Xeon E5-2620
MSRP	$245-32%	$360
Performance per Dollar	21.7+47%	14.8
Release Date	2011	2012

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