Xeon D-1520 vs Xeon E5-2420

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 D-1520 vs Xeon E5-2420 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 D-1520 vs Xeon E5-2420: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon D-1520

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.9% higher average FPS across 48 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 95W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,917 vs 5,012).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (1.5 MB vs 15 MB).

Xeon E5-2420

2012

Why buy it

✅+1.9% higher PassMark.
✅+900% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 1.5 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon D-1520 across 48 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌111.1% higher power demand at 95W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon D-1520 better than Xeon E5-2420?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon D-1520 is ahead with a 3.9% average FPS lead across 48 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2420 pulls ahead with 1.9% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2420 also has the bigger cache pool with 900% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 1.5 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2420 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.9% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 900% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 1.5 MB).

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

Xeon D-1520 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon D-1520 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.9% average FPS lead across 48 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Xeon D-1520 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon D-1520 vs Xeon E5-2420 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon D-1520

The Xeon D-1520 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 1.5 MB (per core). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1667. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,917 points. Launch price was $199.

Xeon E5-2420

The Xeon E5-2420 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,012 points. Launch price was $390.

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Processing Power

The Xeon D-1520 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2420 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2420 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Xeon D-1520 versus 2.4 GHz on the Xeon E5-2420 — a 8% clock advantage for the Xeon D-1520 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The Xeon D-1520 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2420 uses Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon D-1520 scores 4,917 against the Xeon E5-2420's 5,012 — a 1.9% lead for the Xeon E5-2420. L3 cache: 1.5 MB (per core) on the Xeon D-1520 vs 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2420.

Feature	Xeon D-1520	Xeon E5-2420
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz+8%	2.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.2 GHz+16%	1.9 GHz
L3 Cache	1.5 MB (per core)	15360 kB (total)+900%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	Sandy Bridge-EN (2012)
PassMark	4,917	5,012+2%

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon D-1520 uses the FCBGA1667 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2420 uses LGA1356 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.