Phenom II X6 1100T BE vs Xeon E3-1220 v5

AMD

Phenom II X6 1100T BE

6 Cores6 Thrd125 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2010
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Xeon E3-1220 v5

4 Cores4 Thrd80 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2015
Similar parts
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Phenom II X6 1100T BE vs Xeon E3-1220 v5 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.

Phenom II X6 1100T BE vs Xeon E3-1220 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.

Phenom II X6 1100T BE vs Xeon E3-1220 v5: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Phenom II X6 1100T BE

2010

Why buy it

  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Xeon E3-1220 v5.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 21.7 vs 28.1 PassMark/$ ($265 MSRP vs $203 MSRP).
  • 56.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 80W.

Xeon E3-1220 v5

2015

Why buy it

  • +33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
  • Costs $62 less on MSRP ($203 MSRP vs $265 MSRP).
  • Delivers 29.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 28.1 vs 21.7 PassMark/$ ($203 MSRP vs $265 MSRP).
  • Draws 80W instead of 125W, a 45W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (5,713 vs 5,745).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Phenom II X6 1100T BE.

Quick Answers

So, is Phenom II X6 1100T BE better than Xeon E3-1220 v5?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1220 v5 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Phenom II X6 1100T BE is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Phenom II X6 1100T BE is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.1% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X6 1100T BE is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Phenom II X6 1100T BE is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E3-1220 v5 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Phenom II X6 1100T BE comes in 30.5% more expensive on MSRP at $265 MSRP versus $203 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E3-1220 v5 is also 29.8% better value on MSRP (28.1 vs 21.7 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Xeon E3-1220 v5 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2010) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Phenom II X6 1100T BE vs Xeon E3-1220 v5 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Phenom II X6 1100T BE

The Phenom II X6 1100T BE is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Thuban (2010) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,745 points. Launch price was $149.

Intel

Xeon E3-1220 v5

The Xeon E3-1220 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 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866/2133, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 5,713 points. Launch price was $203.

Processing Power

The Phenom II X6 1100T BE packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Xeon E3-1220 v5 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom II X6 1100T BE has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Phenom II X6 1100T BE versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220 v5 — a 5.6% clock advantage for the Phenom II X6 1100T BE (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Phenom II X6 1100T BE uses the Thuban (2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Xeon E3-1220 v5 uses Skylake-DT (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Phenom II X6 1100T BE scores 5,745 against the Xeon E3-1220 v5's 5,713 — a 0.6% lead for the Phenom II X6 1100T BE. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X6 1100T BE vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1220 v5.

FeaturePhenom II X6 1100T BEXeon E3-1220 v5
Cores / Threads
6 / 6+50%
4 / 4
Boost Clock
3.7 GHz+6%
3.5 GHz
Base Clock
3.3 GHz+10%
3 GHz
L3 Cache
6 MB (total)
8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache
512 kB (per core)+100%
256 kB (per core)
Process
45 nm
14 nm-69%
Architecture
Thuban (2010)
Skylake-DT (2015)
PassMark
5,745
5,713
Geekbench 6 Single
508
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Phenom II X6 1100T BE uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E3-1220 v5 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeaturePhenom II X6 1100T BEXeon E3-1220 v5
Socket
AM3
LGA1151
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1333 / DDR2-1066
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
Yes
PCIe Lanes
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (Phenom II X6 1100T BE) / not specified (Xeon E3-1220 v5). Primary use case: Phenom II X6 1100T BE targets Enthusiast Legacy.

FeaturePhenom II X6 1100T BEXeon E3-1220 v5
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
Target Use
Enthusiast Legacy
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Phenom II X6 1100T BE was priced at $265, while the Xeon E3-1220 v5 came in at $203. On launch pricing ($265 vs $203), Xeon E3-1220 v5 was $62 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Phenom II X6 1100T BE delivers 21.7 pts/$ vs 28.1 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1220 v5 — making the Xeon E3-1220 v5 the 25.9% better value option.

FeaturePhenom II X6 1100T BEXeon E3-1220 v5
MSRP
$265
$203-23%
Performance per Dollar
21.7
28.1+29%
Release Date
2010
2015

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