Xeon 5120 vs Xeon L3406
Xeon 5120
Xeon L3406
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 5120 is positioned at rank 857 and the Xeon L3406 is on rank 969, so the Xeon 5120 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon 5120
Performance Per Dollar Xeon L3406
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon 5120 | Xeon L3406 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($15) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($30) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Woodcrest (2006) / 65 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon 5120 | Xeon L3406 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+102%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($15) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($30) |
Performance Check
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 5120 and Xeon L3406
Xeon 5120
The Xeon 5120 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Junho 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the Woodcrest (2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.86 GHz, with boost up to 1.87 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA771. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 1,115 points. Launch price was $45.
Xeon L3406
The Xeon L3406 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 2.53 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 30 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 1,104 points. Launch price was $800.
Processing Power
The Xeon 5120 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Xeon L3406's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.87 GHz on the Xeon 5120 versus 2.53 GHz on the Xeon L3406 — a 30% clock advantage for the Xeon L3406 (base: 1.86 GHz vs 2.26 GHz). The Xeon 5120 is built on the Woodcrest (2006) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon 5120 scores 1,115 against the Xeon L3406's 1,104 — a 1% lead for the Xeon 5120. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Xeon 5120 vs 4 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon L3406.
| Feature | Xeon 5120 | Xeon L3406 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 1.87 GHz | 2.53 GHz+35% |
| Base Clock | 1.86 GHz | 2.26 GHz+22% |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 4 MB Intel® Smart Cache |
| L2 Cache | 4 MB | — |
| Process | 65 nm | 32 nm-51% |
| Architecture | Woodcrest (2006) | — |
| PassMark | 1,115 | 1,104 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon 5120 uses the LGA771 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon L3406 uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon 5120 | Xeon L3406 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA771 | LGA1156 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
Value Analysis
The Xeon 5120 launched at $107 MSRP, while the Xeon L3406 debuted at $189. At current prices ($15 vs $30), the Xeon 5120 is $15 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon 5120 delivers 74.3 pts/$ vs 36.8 pts/$ for the Xeon L3406 — making the Xeon 5120 the 67.5% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon 5120 | Xeon L3406 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $107-43% | $189 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $15-50% | $30 |
| Performance per Dollar | 74.3+102% | 36.8 |
| Release Date | 2006 | 2010 |
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