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.

Xeon D-1521 vs Xeon E3-1205 v6 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-1521 vs Xeon E3-1205 v6: 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-1521

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +19.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (1.5 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $199 MSRP, while Xeon E3-1205 v6 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E3-1205 v6

2017

Why buy it

✅+433.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 1.5 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon D-1521 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,682 vs 5,703).
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon D-1521 better than Xeon E3-1205 v6?

Yes. Xeon D-1521 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 19.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.4% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon D-1521 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 19.8% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon D-1521 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon D-1521 is the better buy right now. Xeon D-1521 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $199 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 19.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (28.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E3-1205 v6 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2015) and 433.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 1.5 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon D-1521 vs Xeon E3-1205 v6 Technical Specifications

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

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.

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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)+25500%	1 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	5,703	5,682

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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.