CPU
GPU
Xeon E3-1220L v3
Athlon 64 X2 5000+
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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 E3-1220L v3 is positioned at rank 939 and the Athlon 64 X2 5000+ is on rank 988, so the Xeon E3-1220L v3 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1220L v3
Performance Per Dollar Athlon 64 X2 5000+
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E3-1220L v3 | Athlon 64 X2 5000+ |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($30) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($42) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell-WS (2013−2014) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Windsor (2006−2007) / 90 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E3-1220L v3 | Athlon 64 X2 5000+ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+38%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($30) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($42) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E3-1220L v3 and Athlon 64 X2 5000+
Xeon E3-1220L v3
The Xeon E3-1220L v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 1.5 GHz. L3 cache: 4096 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 13 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 1,407 points. Launch price was $800.
Athlon 64 X2 5000+
The Athlon 64 X2 5000+ is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Windsor (2006−2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: AM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 89 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,425 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Xeon E3-1220L v3 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Athlon 64 X2 5000+'s 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220L v3 versus 2.6 GHz on the Athlon 64 X2 5000+ — a 53.7% clock advantage for the Athlon 64 X2 5000+. The Xeon E3-1220L v3 uses the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Athlon 64 X2 5000+ uses Windsor (2006−2007) (90 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1220L v3 scores 1,407 against the Athlon 64 X2 5000+'s 1,425 — a 1.3% lead for the Athlon 64 X2 5000+. L3 cache: 4096 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1220L v3 vs 0 kB on the Athlon 64 X2 5000+.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1220L v3 | Athlon 64 X2 5000+ |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 1.5 GHz | 2.6 GHz+73% |
| Base Clock | 1.1 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 4096 kB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 512 kB+100% |
| Process | 22 nm-76% | 90 nm |
| Architecture | Haswell-WS (2013−2014) | Windsor (2006−2007) |
| PassMark | 1,407 | 1,425+1% |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E3-1220L v3 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Athlon 64 X2 5000+ uses AM2 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Xeon E3-1220L v3 versus DDR2-800 on the Athlon 64 X2 5000+ — the Xeon E3-1220L v3 supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E3-1220L v3 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Xeon E3-1220L v3) vs 0 (Athlon 64 X2 5000+) — the Xeon E3-1220L v3 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C222,C224,C226 (Xeon E3-1220L v3) and AMD AM2 (Athlon 64 X2 5000+).
| Feature | Xeon E3-1220L v3 | Athlon 64 X2 5000+ |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1150 | AM2 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+173% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600+50% | DDR2-800 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB+100% | 16 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-P (Xeon E3-1220L v3) / not specified (Athlon 64 X2 5000+).
| Feature | Xeon E3-1220L v3 | Athlon 64 X2 5000+ |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-P | — |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E3-1220L v3 launched at $193 MSRP, while the Athlon 64 X2 5000+ debuted at $136. At current prices ($30 vs $42), the Xeon E3-1220L v3 is $12 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1220L v3 delivers 46.9 pts/$ vs 33.9 pts/$ for the Athlon 64 X2 5000+ — making the Xeon E3-1220L v3 the 32.1% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1220L v3 | Athlon 64 X2 5000+ |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $193 | $136-30% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $30-29% | $42 |
| Performance per Dollar | 46.9+38% | 33.9 |
| Release Date | 2013 | 2006 |
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