Xeon D-1521 vs Xeon E3-1205 v6

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 D-1521 is positioned at rank 505 and the Xeon E3-1205 v6 is on rank 507, so the Xeon D-1521 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 D-1521

#1

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

7251%

#6

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

1369%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

1216%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

940%

#312

EPYC 7643P

MSRP: $2722|Avg: $2722

99%

#313

Xeon w5-3435X

MSRP: $1589|Avg: $163

99%

#314

Xeon Gold 6312U

MSRP: $1645|Avg: N/A

99%

#315

EPYC 7443

MSRP: $2010|Avg: $1800

98%

#316

Xeon Gold 6416H

MSRP: $1845|Avg: N/A

98%

#318

EPYC 7343

MSRP: $1565|Avg: $1350

97%

#319

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX

MSRP: $2399|Avg: $225

97%

#320

EPYC 7413

MSRP: $1825|Avg: $450

97%

#505

Xeon D-1521

MSRP: $199|Avg: $241

100%

#513

Xeon E3-1220 v5

MSRP: $203|Avg: $100

98%

#515

Xeon X5690

MSRP: $250|Avg: $250

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1205 v6

#1

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

7315%

#6

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

1381%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

1227%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

948%

#312

EPYC 7643P

MSRP: $2722|Avg: $2722

100%

#313

Xeon w5-3435X

MSRP: $1589|Avg: $163

100%

#314

Xeon Gold 6312U

MSRP: $1645|Avg: N/A

100%

#315

EPYC 7443

MSRP: $2010|Avg: $1800

99%

#316

Xeon Gold 6416H

MSRP: $1845|Avg: N/A

99%

#318

EPYC 7343

MSRP: $1565|Avg: $1350

98%

#319

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX

MSRP: $2399|Avg: $225

98%

#320

EPYC 7413

MSRP: $1825|Avg: $450

98%

#507

Xeon E3-1205 v6

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#513

Xeon E3-1220 v5

MSRP: $203|Avg: $100

99%

#515

Xeon X5690

MSRP: $250|Avg: $250

99%

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 Xeon E3-1205 v6 (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4-2400, DDR3L-1866, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Xeon D-1521	Xeon E3-1205 v6
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($241)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Broadwell (2015−2019) / 14 nm)	✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon D-1521 (2015) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR4, DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Xeon D-1521	Xeon E3-1205 v6
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($241)	✅ 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.

Xeon D-1521 Benchmark Check

Xeon E3-1205 v6 Benchmark Check

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Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Xeon D-1521 and Xeon E3-1205 v6

Xeon D-1521

The Xeon D-1521 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 November 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 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, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,703 points. Launch price was $199.

Xeon E3-1205 v6

The Xeon E3-1205 v6 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 March 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400, DDR3L-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 5,682 points. Launch price was $193.

⚡

Processing Power

The Xeon D-1521 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Xeon E3-1205 v6's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Xeon D-1521 versus 3 GHz on the Xeon E3-1205 v6 — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1205 v6 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Xeon D-1521 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1205 v6 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon D-1521 scores 5,703 against the Xeon E3-1205 v6's 5,682 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon D-1521. L3 cache: 1.5 MB (per core) on the Xeon D-1521 vs 8 MB on the Xeon E3-1205 v6.

Feature	Xeon D-1521	Xeon E3-1205 v6
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 4
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz	3 GHz+11%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	3 GHz+25%
L3 Cache	1.5 MB (per core)	8 MB+433%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	1 MB+300%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	5,703	5,682

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon D-1521 uses the FCBGA1667 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1205 v6 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.