Xeon E3-1220L vs Xeon L5520

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 E3-1220L vs Xeon L5520 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 E3-1220L vs Xeon L5520: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Xeon E3-1220L

2011

Why buy it

✅Draws 20W instead of 60W, a 40W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon L5520 across 9 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,263 vs 2,274).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $189 MSRP, while Xeon L5520 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon L5520

2009

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +18.5% higher average FPS across 9 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌200% higher power demand at 60W vs 20W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon L5520 better than Xeon E3-1220L?

Yes. Xeon L5520 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 18.5% average FPS lead across 9 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.5% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon L5520 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 18.5% more average FPS across 9 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon L5520 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Xeon L5520 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E3-1220L is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon L5520 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $189 MSRP, and it still gives you a 18.5% average FPS lead across 9 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E3-1220L is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (12.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Xeon E3-1220L makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E3-1220L vs Xeon L5520 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E3-1220L

The Xeon E3-1220L is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 20 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,263 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon L5520

The Xeon L5520 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 March 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Gainestown (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 2.48 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 60 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,274 points. Launch price was $100.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1220L packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon L5520 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Xeon L5520 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220L versus 2.48 GHz on the Xeon L5520 — a 31.3% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1220L (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.26 GHz). The Xeon E3-1220L uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon L5520 uses Gainestown (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1220L scores 2,263 against the Xeon L5520's 2,274 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon L5520. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1220L vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon L5520.

Feature	Xeon E3-1220L	Xeon L5520
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz+37%	2.48 GHz
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.26 GHz+3%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+167%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Gainestown (2009−2010)
PassMark	2,263	2,274

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1220L uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon L5520 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.