FX-8370 vs Xeon E5-2658

AMD

FX-8370

8 Cores8 Thrd125 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2014
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Xeon E5-2658

8 Cores16 Thrd95 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2012
Similar parts
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FX-8370 vs Xeon E5-2658 Performance Spectrum

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-8370 vs Xeon E5-2658 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-8370 vs Xeon E5-2658: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

FX-8370

2014

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +9.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $201 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $400 MSRP).
  • Delivers 99.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 31.1 vs 15.6 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $400 MSRP).
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Stock Cooler), unlike Xeon E5-2658.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (6,184 vs 6,232).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2658, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads.
  • 31.6% higher power demand at 125W vs 95W.

Xeon E5-2658

2012

Why buy it

  • +0.8% higher PassMark.
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads.
  • Draws 95W instead of 125W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-8370 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 15.6 vs 31.1 PassMark/$ ($400 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike FX-8370.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-8370 better than Xeon E5-2658?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2658 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while FX-8370 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 E5-2658 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
FX-8370 is the better buy right now. FX-8370 comes in $201 cheaper on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $400 MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2658 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.8% better PassMark. It is also 99.5% better value on MSRP (31.1 vs 15.6 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
FX-8370 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

FX-8370 vs Xeon E5-2658 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

FX-8370

The FX-8370 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 4 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L2 cache: 8192 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,184 points. Launch price was $199.

Intel

Xeon E5-2658

The Xeon E5-2658 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 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 20480 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: 6,232 points. Launch price was $1,462.

Processing Power

The FX-8370 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, matching the Xeon E5-2658's 8 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the FX-8370 versus 2.4 GHz on the Xeon E5-2658 — a 56.7% clock advantage for the FX-8370 (base: 4 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The FX-8370 uses the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E5-2658 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the FX-8370 scores 6,184 against the Xeon E5-2658's 6,232 — a 0.8% lead for the Xeon E5-2658.

FeatureFX-8370Xeon E5-2658
Cores / Threads
8 / 8
8 / 16
Boost Clock
4.3 GHz+79%
2.4 GHz
Base Clock
4 GHz+90%
2.1 GHz
L3 Cache
20480 kB (total)
L2 Cache
8192 kB+3100%
256 kB (per core)
Process
32 nm
32 nm
Architecture
Vishera (2012−2015)
Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
PassMark
6,184
6,232
Cinebench R23 Multi
3,800
Geekbench 6 Single
520
Geekbench 6 Multi
2,050
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Memory & Platform

The FX-8370 uses the AM3+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5-2658 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureFX-8370Xeon E5-2658
Socket
AM3+
LGA2011
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 5.0+150%
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1866
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
20
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (FX-8370) / not specified (Xeon E5-2658). Primary use case: FX-8370 targets Legacy Gaming. Direct competitor: FX-8370 rivals Core i5-6400.

FeatureFX-8370Xeon E5-2658
Integrated GPU
No
IGPU Model
None
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
Target Use
Legacy Gaming
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Value Analysis

At launch, the FX-8370 was priced at $199, while the Xeon E5-2658 came in at $400. On launch pricing ($199 vs $400), FX-8370 was $201 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the FX-8370 delivers 31.1 pts/$ vs 15.6 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2658 — making the FX-8370 the 66.4% better value option.

FeatureFX-8370Xeon E5-2658
MSRP
$199-50%
$400
Performance per Dollar
31.1+99%
15.6
Release Date
2014
2012

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