Xeon D-1521 vs Xeon E3-1220 v5

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 E3-1220 v5 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 E3-1220 v5: 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: +18.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $4 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $203 MSRP).
✅Draws 45W instead of 80W, a 35W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,703 vs 5,713).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (1.5 MB vs 8 MB).

Xeon E3-1220 v5

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅+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.
❌
2% HIGHER MSRP
$203 MSRPvs$199 MSRP
❌77.8% higher power demand at 80W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon D-1521 better than Xeon E3-1220 v5?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon D-1521 is ahead with a 18.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1220 v5 pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark. Xeon E3-1220 v5 also has the bigger cache pool with 433.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 1.5 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1220 v5 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 433.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 1.5 MB).

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 $4 cheaper on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $203 MSRP, and it still gives you a 18.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E3-1220 v5 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.2% better PassMark. It is also 1.8% better value on MSRP (28.7 vs 28.1 PassMark/$), 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 E3-1220 v5 is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Xeon D-1521 vs Xeon E3-1220 v5 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 E3-1220 v5

The Xeon E3-1220 v5 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-DT (2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866/2133, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 5,713 points. Launch price was $203.

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Processing Power

The Xeon D-1521 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Xeon E3-1220 v5's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Xeon D-1521 versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220 v5 — a 25.8% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1220 v5 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Xeon D-1521 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1220 v5 uses Skylake-DT (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon D-1521 scores 5,703 against the Xeon E3-1220 v5's 5,713 — a 0.2% lead for the Xeon E3-1220 v5. L3 cache: 1.5 MB (per core) on the Xeon D-1521 vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1220 v5.

Feature	Xeon D-1521	Xeon E3-1220 v5
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 4
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz	3.5 GHz+30%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	3 GHz+25%
L3 Cache	1.5 MB (per core)	8 MB (total)+433%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	Skylake-DT (2015)
PassMark	5,703	5,713

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon D-1521 uses the FCBGA1667 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1220 v5 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon D-1521	Xeon E3-1220 v5
Socket	FCBGA1667	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon D-1521 was priced at $199, while the Xeon E3-1220 v5 came in at $203. On launch pricing ($199 vs $203), Xeon D-1521 was $4 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon D-1521 delivers 28.7 pts/$ vs 28.1 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1220 v5 — making the Xeon D-1521 the 1.8% better value option.

Feature	Xeon D-1521	Xeon E3-1220 v5
MSRP	$199-2%	$203
Performance per Dollar	28.7+2%	28.1
Release Date	2015	2015

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