Ryzen 5 7520C vs Xeon E3-1230 v6

AMD

Ryzen 5 7520C

4 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2023
Ryzen family
VS
Intel

Xeon E3-1230 v6

4 Cores8 Thrd72 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2017

Ryzen 5 7520C vs Xeon E3-1230 v6 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.

Ryzen 5 7520C vs Xeon E3-1230 v6 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.

Ryzen 5 7520C vs Xeon E3-1230 v6: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Ryzen 5 7520C

2023

Why buy it

  • βœ…Draws 15W instead of 72W, a 57W reduction.
  • βœ…Newer platform on FT6 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark (8,104 vs 8,113).
  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).

Xeon E3-1230 v6

2017

Why buy it

  • βœ…+0.1% higher PassMark.
  • βœ…+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

  • ❌380% higher power demand at 72W vs 15W.
  • ❌Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Ryzen 5 7520C moves to FT6 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 7520C better than Xeon E3-1230 v6?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1230 v6 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 5 7520C 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 E3-1230 v6 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 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?
Ryzen 5 7520C still makes the most sense overall. Ryzen 5 7520C comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 5 7520C makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2017) and a healthier platform with FT6 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Ryzen 5 7520C vs Xeon E3-1230 v6 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Ryzen 5 7520C

The Ryzen 5 7520C is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 23 May 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Mendocino (Zen 2) (2022βˆ’2023) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 6 nm process technology. Socket: FT6. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 8,104 points. Launch price was $149.

Intel

Xeon E3-1230 v6

The Xeon E3-1230 v6 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 March 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016βˆ’2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 72 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400, DDR3L-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 8,113 points. Launch price was $250.

⚑

Processing Power

Both the Ryzen 5 7520C and Xeon E3-1230 v6 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen 5 7520C versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E3-1230 v6 β€” a 9.8% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 7520C (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Ryzen 5 7520C uses the Mendocino (Zen 2) (2022βˆ’2023) architecture (6 nm), while the Xeon E3-1230 v6 uses Kaby Lake (2016βˆ’2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 7520C scores 8,104 against the Xeon E3-1230 v6's 8,113 β€” a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E3-1230 v6. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 7520C vs 8 MB on the Xeon E3-1230 v6.

FeatureRyzen 5 7520CXeon E3-1230 v6
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
4 / 8
Boost Clock
4.3 GHz+10%
3.9 GHz
Base Clock
2.8 GHz
3.5 GHz+25%
L3 Cache
4 MB (total)
8 MB+100%
L2 Cache
512 kB (per core)
1 MB+100%
Process
6 nm-57%
14 nm
Architecture
Mendocino (Zen 2) (2022βˆ’2023)
Kaby Lake (2016βˆ’2019)
PassMark
8,104
8,113
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 5 7520C uses the FT6 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E3-1230 v6 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureRyzen 5 7520CXeon E3-1230 v6
Socket
FT6
LGA1151
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0+33%
PCIe 3.0