Xeon D-1531 vs Xeon E5-2620 v3

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-1531 vs Xeon E5-2620 v3 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-1531 vs Xeon E5-2620 v3: 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-1531

2015

Why buy it

✅Draws 45W instead of 85W, a 40W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2620 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (7,668 vs 7,734).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (1.5 MB vs 15 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 3.7 vs 18.5 PassMark/$ ($2,057 MSRP vs $417 MSRP).

Xeon E5-2620 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+900% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 1.5 MB).
✅Costs $1,640 less on MSRP ($417 MSRP vs $2,057 MSRP).
✅Delivers 397.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 18.5 vs 3.7 PassMark/$ ($417 MSRP vs $2,057 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌88.9% higher power demand at 85W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2620 v3 better than Xeon D-1531?

Yes. Xeon E5-2620 v3 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.9% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-2620 v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.8% 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 E5-2620 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% 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 E5-2620 v3 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-2620 v3 comes in $1,640 cheaper on MSRP at $417 MSRP versus $2,057 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 397.5% better value on MSRP (18.5 vs 3.7 PassMark/$), 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 D-1531 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2014). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon D-1531 vs Xeon E5-2620 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon D-1531

The Xeon D-1531 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 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 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: 7,668 points. Launch price was $348.

Xeon E5-2620 v3

The Xeon E5-2620 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 85 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 7,734 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

Both the Xeon D-1531 and Xeon E5-2620 v3 share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Xeon D-1531 versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon E5-2620 v3 — a 16.9% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-2620 v3 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Xeon D-1531 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2620 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon D-1531 scores 7,668 against the Xeon E5-2620 v3's 7,734 — a 0.9% lead for the Xeon E5-2620 v3. L3 cache: 1.5 MB (per core) on the Xeon D-1531 vs 15 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2620 v3.

Feature	Xeon D-1531	Xeon E5-2620 v3
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz	3.2 GHz+19%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.4 GHz+9%
L3 Cache	1.5 MB (per core)	15 MB (total)+900%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	7,668	7,734

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon D-1531 uses the FCBGA1667 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2620 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon D-1531	Xeon E5-2620 v3
Socket	FCBGA1667	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-1866
Max RAM Capacity	—	768 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon D-1531) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E5-2620 v3). Primary use case: Xeon E5-2620 v3 targets Server.

Feature	Xeon D-1531	Xeon E5-2620 v3
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	Yes
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Server

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon D-1531 was priced at $2057, while the Xeon E5-2620 v3 came in at $417. On launch pricing ($2057 vs $417), Xeon E5-2620 v3 was $1640 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon D-1531 delivers 3.7 pts/$ vs 18.5 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2620 v3 — making the Xeon E5-2620 v3 the 133.1% better value option.

Feature	Xeon D-1531	Xeon E5-2620 v3
MSRP	$2057	$417-80%
Performance per Dollar	3.7	18.5+400%
Release Date	2015	2014

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