Xeon 3.20
VS
Atom S1260

Xeon 3.20 vs Atom S1260

Intel

Xeon 3.20

1 Cores1 Thrd97 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2003
VS
Intel

Atom S1260

2 Cores4 Thrd9 WWMax: 2 GHz2012

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Xeon 3.20 is positioned at rank 1030 and the Atom S1260 is on rank 749, so the Atom S1260 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon 3.20

#1
Xeon Platinum 8454H
MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A
305622%
#6
Xeon Gold 6240R
MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A
57704%
#10
Xeon 6337P
MSRP: $60|Avg: $5
51268%
#15
EPYC 9174F
MSRP: $194|Avg: $30
39606%
#1029
Xeon Platinum 8260L
MSRP: $7500|Avg: $750
100%
#1030
Xeon 3.20
MSRP: $851|Avg: $10
100%
#1031
Xeon X5355
MSRP: $4491|Avg: $4000
66%
#1032
Xeon E5420
MSRP: $7214|Avg: $6500
41%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Atom S1260

#1
Xeon Platinum 8454H
MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A
14973%
#6
Xeon Gold 6240R
MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A
2827%
#10
Xeon 6337P
MSRP: $60|Avg: $5
2512%
#15
EPYC 9174F
MSRP: $194|Avg: $30
1940%
#434
Xeon W-3225
MSRP: $1319|Avg: $850
100%
#435
Xeon Gold 6354
MSRP: $2878|Avg: $2898
99%
#436
Xeon Gold 5218T
MSRP: $1572|Avg: $1349
98%
#437
Xeon 6960P
MSRP: $9625|Avg: $9625
98%
#438
EPYC 9555
MSRP: $9826|Avg: $7973
98%
#439
Xeon Gold 6338
MSRP: $2990|Avg: $1604
97%
#440
Xeon Gold 6538N
MSRP: $3351|Avg: $170
97%
#749
Atom S1260
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#750
Xeon E3-1260L
MSRP: $294|Avg: $270
100%
#758
Xeon E3-1281 v3
MSRP: $555|Avg: $636
98%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Atom S1260 (2012) utilizes 32 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightXeon 3.20Atom S1260
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($10)
More affordable ($0)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Gallatin (2003−2004) / 130 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Centerton (2012) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon 3.20 (2003) relies on 130 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightXeon 3.20Atom S1260
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($10)
More affordable ($0)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Xeon 3.20 and Atom S1260

Intel

Xeon 3.20

The Xeon 3.20 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Gallatin (2003−2004) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 130 nm process technology. Socket: PGA604. Thermal design power (TDP): 97 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 575 points. Launch price was $800.

Intel

Atom S1260

The Atom S1260 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 December 2012 (12 years ago). It is based on the Centerton (2012) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1283. Thermal design power (TDP): 8.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 555 points. Launch price was $64.

Processing Power

The Xeon 3.20 packs 1 cores / 1 threads, while the Atom S1260 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Atom S1260 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Xeon 3.20 versus 2 GHz on the Atom S1260 — a 46.2% clock advantage for the Xeon 3.20. The Xeon 3.20 uses the Gallatin (2003−2004) architecture (130 nm), while the Atom S1260 uses Centerton (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon 3.20 scores 575 against the Atom S1260's 555 — a 3.5% lead for the Xeon 3.20. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Xeon 3.20 vs 0 kB on the Atom S1260.

FeatureXeon 3.20Atom S1260
Cores / Threads
1 / 1
2 / 4+100%
Boost Clock
3.2 GHz+60%
2 GHz
Base Clock
2 GHz
L3 Cache
2 MB
0 kB
L2 Cache
512 kB
512 kB (per core)
Process
130 nm
32 nm-75%
Architecture
Gallatin (2003−2004)
Centerton (2012)
PassMark
575+4%
555
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon 3.20 uses the PGA604 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Atom S1260 uses FCBGA1283 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureXeon 3.20Atom S1260
Socket
PGA604
FCBGA1283
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity
8 GB
RAM Channels
1
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
8