Pentium Gold 7505 vs Xeon E3-1220 v3

Intel

Pentium Gold 7505

2 Cores4 Thrd2.5 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2020
VS
Intel

Xeon E3-1220 v3

4 Cores4 Thrd80 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2013

Pentium Gold 7505 vs Xeon E3-1220 v3 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.

Pentium Gold 7505 vs Xeon E3-1220 v3 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.

Pentium Gold 7505 vs Xeon E3-1220 v3: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium Gold 7505

2020

Why buy it

  • βœ…Draws 3W instead of 80W, a 78W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E3-1220 v3 across 16 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Lower PassMark (5,174 vs 5,178).
  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).
  • ❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E3-1220 v3, which brings 4 cores / 4 threads.

Xeon E3-1220 v3

2013

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +5.0% higher average FPS across 16 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
  • βœ…Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 4 threads.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Launch MSRP is still $203 MSRP, while Pentium Gold 7505 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • ❌3100% higher power demand at 80W vs 2.5W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1220 v3 better than Pentium Gold 7505?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1220 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Pentium Gold 7505 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 E3-1220 v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.0% more average FPS across 16 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1220 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon E3-1220 v3 is the better buy right now. Xeon E3-1220 v3 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $203 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.0% average FPS lead across 16 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (25.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Pentium Gold 7505 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Pentium Gold 7505 vs Xeon E3-1220 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Pentium Gold 7505

The Pentium Gold 7505 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Tiger Lake-U (2020βˆ’2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 2.5 MB. Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1449. Thermal design power (TDP): 2.5 MBΒ +Β 4 MB. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,174 points. Launch price was $69.

Intel

Xeon E3-1220 v3

The Xeon E3-1220 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-WS (2013βˆ’2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,178 points. Launch price was $239.

⚑

Processing Power

The Pentium Gold 7505 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E3-1220 v3 offers 4 cores / 4 threads β€” the Xeon E3-1220 v3 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Pentium Gold 7505 versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220 v3 β€” identical boost frequencies (base: 2 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Pentium Gold 7505 uses the Tiger Lake-U (2020βˆ’2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Xeon E3-1220 v3 uses Haswell-WS (2013βˆ’2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium Gold 7505 scores 5,174 against the Xeon E3-1220 v3's 5,178 β€” a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E3-1220 v3. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Pentium Gold 7505 vs 8192 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1220 v3.

FeaturePentium Gold 7505Xeon E3-1220 v3
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock
3.5 GHz
3.5 GHz
Base Clock
2 GHz
3.1 GHz+55%
L3 Cache
4 MB
8192 kB (total)+100%
L2 Cache
2.5 MB+900%
256 kB (per core)
Process
10 nm SuperFin-55%
22 nm
Architecture
Tiger Lake-U (2020βˆ’2021)
Haswell-WS (2013βˆ’2014)
PassMark
5,174
5,178
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium Gold 7505 uses the FCBGA1449 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E3-1220 v3 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeaturePentium Gold 7505Xeon E3-1220 v3
Socket
FCBGA1449
LGA1150
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0+33%
PCIe 3.0