Xeon E3-1235L v5 vs Xeon E5-2420

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 E3-1235L v5 vs Xeon E5-2420 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 E3-1235L v5 vs Xeon E5-2420: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E3-1235L v5

2015

Why buy it

✅+0% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 25W instead of 95W, a 70W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2420 across 48 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 15 MB).

Xeon E5-2420

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.8% higher average FPS across 48 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,012 vs 5,013).
❌280% higher power demand at 95W vs 25W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1235L v5 better than Xeon E5-2420?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-2420 is ahead with a 13.8% average FPS lead across 48 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1235L v5 pulls ahead with 0% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2420 also has the bigger cache pool with 87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1235L v5 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1235L v5 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E3-1235L v5 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0% better PassMark.

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

Xeon E3-1235L v5 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E3-1235L v5 vs Xeon E5-2420 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E3-1235L v5

The Xeon E3-1235L 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 2 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866/2133, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 5,013 points. Launch price was $250.

Xeon E5-2420

The Xeon E5-2420 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,012 points. Launch price was $390.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1235L v5 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E5-2420 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2420 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Xeon E3-1235L v5 versus 2.4 GHz on the Xeon E5-2420 — a 22.2% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1235L v5 (base: 2 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The Xeon E3-1235L v5 uses the Skylake-DT (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2420 uses Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1235L v5 scores 5,013 against the Xeon E5-2420's 5,012 — a 0% lead for the Xeon E3-1235L v5. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1235L v5 vs 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2420.

Feature	Xeon E3-1235L v5	Xeon E5-2420
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3 GHz+25%	2.4 GHz
Base Clock	2 GHz+5%	1.9 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	15360 kB (total)+88%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Skylake-DT (2015)	Sandy Bridge-EN (2012)
PassMark	5,013	5,012

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1235L v5 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2420 uses LGA1356 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.