FX-8320E vs Xeon E3-1235L v5

FX-8320E vs Xeon E3-1235L v5 Performance Spectrum

FX-8320E

8 / 8

4,960

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

Xeon E3-1235L v5

4 / 4

5,013

+1.1%

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-8320E vs Xeon E3-1235L v5 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-8320E vs Xeon E3-1235L v5: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

FX-8320E

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +27.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Xeon E3-1235L v5.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,960 vs 5,013).
❌Launch MSRP is still $147 MSRP, while Xeon E3-1235L v5 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌280% higher power demand at 95W vs 25W.

Xeon E3-1235L v5

2015

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 25W instead of 95W, a 70W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-8320E across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike FX-8320E.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1235L v5 better than FX-8320E?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1235L v5 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while FX-8320E 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 E3-1235L v5 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1235L v5 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Xeon E3-1235L v5 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $147 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.1% better PassMark. FX-8320E only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2014 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (33.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E3-1235L v5 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2014) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 8/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

FX-8320E vs Xeon E3-1235L v5 Technical Specifications

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

FX-8320E

The FX-8320E is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2 September 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L2 cache: 8192 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,960 points. Launch price was $147.

Xeon E3-1235L v5

The Xeon E3-1235L v5 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-DT (2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866/2133, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 5,013 points. Launch price was $250.

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Processing Power

The FX-8320E packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E3-1235L v5 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the FX-8320E has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the FX-8320E versus 3 GHz on the Xeon E3-1235L v5 — a 28.6% clock advantage for the FX-8320E (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2 GHz). The FX-8320E uses the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E3-1235L v5 uses Skylake-DT (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the FX-8320E scores 4,960 against the Xeon E3-1235L v5's 5,013 — a 1.1% lead for the Xeon E3-1235L v5.

Feature	FX-8320E	Xeon E3-1235L v5
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+100%	4 / 4
Boost Clock	4 GHz+33%	3 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+60%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	—	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	8192 kB+3100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Vishera (2012−2015)	Skylake-DT (2015)
PassMark	4,960	5,013+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	439	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,734	—

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Memory & Platform

The FX-8320E uses the AM3+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E3-1235L v5 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.