Xeon Bronze 3106 vs Xeon E5-1620

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.

Xeon Bronze 3106 vs Xeon E5-1620 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.

Xeon Bronze 3106 vs Xeon E5-1620: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon Bronze 3106

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $490 less on MSRP ($395 MSRP vs $885 MSRP).
✅Delivers 120.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 14.6 vs 6.6 PassMark/$ ($395 MSRP vs $885 MSRP).
✅Draws 85W instead of 130W, a 45W reduction.
✅20% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 40) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,753 vs 5,848).

Xeon E5-1620

2012

Why buy it

✅+1.7% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Bronze 3106 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.6 vs 14.6 PassMark/$ ($885 MSRP vs $395 MSRP).
❌52.9% higher power demand at 130W vs 85W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Bronze 3106 better than Xeon E5-1620?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon Bronze 3106 is ahead with a 9.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-1620 pulls ahead with 1.7% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-1620 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Xeon Bronze 3106 is the better buy right now. Xeon Bronze 3106 comes in $490 cheaper on MSRP at $395 MSRP versus $885 MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-1620 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.7% better PassMark. It is also 120.4% better value on MSRP (14.6 vs 6.6 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Xeon Bronze 3106 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2012) and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon Bronze 3106 vs Xeon E5-1620 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon Bronze 3106

The Xeon Bronze 3106 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 July 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 11 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 85 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 5,753 points. Launch price was $306.

Xeon E5-1620

The Xeon E5-1620 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 10240 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,848 points. Launch price was $313.

⚡

Processing Power

The Xeon Bronze 3106 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-1620 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Xeon Bronze 3106 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Xeon Bronze 3106 versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-1620 — a 23.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-1620 (base: 1.7 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Xeon Bronze 3106 uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-1620 uses Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Bronze 3106 scores 5,753 against the Xeon E5-1620's 5,848 — a 1.6% lead for the Xeon E5-1620. L3 cache: 11 MB (total) on the Xeon Bronze 3106 vs 10240 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-1620.

Feature	Xeon Bronze 3106	Xeon E5-1620
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+100%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3 GHz	3.8 GHz+27%
Base Clock	1.7 GHz	3.6 GHz+112%
L3 Cache	11 MB (total)+10%	10240 kB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)
PassMark	5,753	5,848+2%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	3,469
Geekbench 6 Single	—	612
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,250

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon Bronze 3106 uses the LGA3647 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1620 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 2133 on the Xeon Bronze 3106 versus DDR3-1600 on the Xeon E5-1620 — the Xeon Bronze 3106 supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Bronze 3106 supports up to 768 GB of RAM compared to 375 GB — 104.8% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 6 (Xeon Bronze 3106) vs 4 (Xeon E5-1620). PCIe lanes: 48 (Xeon Bronze 3106) vs 40 (Xeon E5-1620) — the Xeon Bronze 3106 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C621 (Xeon Bronze 3106) and Intel C600,Intel X79 (Xeon E5-1620).

Feature	Xeon Bronze 3106	Xeon E5-1620
Socket	LGA3647	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	2133+33%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	768 GB+105%	375 GB
RAM Channels	6+50%	4
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	48+20%	40

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Xeon Bronze 3106 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Bronze 3106) vs true (Xeon E5-1620).

Feature	Xeon Bronze 3106	Xeon E5-1620
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	true

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon Bronze 3106 was priced at $395, while the Xeon E5-1620 came in at $885. On launch pricing ($395 vs $885), Xeon Bronze 3106 was $490 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Bronze 3106 delivers 14.6 pts/$ vs 6.6 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-1620 — making the Xeon Bronze 3106 the 75.2% better value option.

Feature	Xeon Bronze 3106	Xeon E5-1620
MSRP	$395-55%	$885
Performance per Dollar	14.6+121%	6.6
Release Date	2017	2012

Search Xeon Bronze 3106 on Amazon

Search Xeon E5-1620 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.