Xeon E3-1505M v5 vs Xeon E5-1620 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 E3-1505M v5 vs Xeon E5-1620 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 E3-1505M v5 vs Xeon E5-1620 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 E3-1505M v5

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $179 less on MSRP ($115 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
✅Delivers 157.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 60.8 vs 23.7 PassMark/$ ($115 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
✅Draws 45W instead of 140W, a 95W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-1620 v3 across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 10 MB).
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon E5-1620 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.2% higher average FPS across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,959 vs 6,995).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 23.7 vs 60.8 PassMark/$ ($294 MSRP vs $115 MSRP).
❌211.1% higher power demand at 140W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1505M v5 better than Xeon E5-1620 v3?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-1620 v3 is ahead with a 8.2% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1505M v5 pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark. Xeon E5-1620 v3 also has the bigger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1505M v5 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1505M v5 is the better buy right now. Xeon E3-1505M v5 comes in $179 cheaper on MSRP at $115 MSRP versus $294 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-1620 v3 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 8.2% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 157.0% better value on MSRP (60.8 vs 23.7 PassMark/$), 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 E3-1505M v5 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2014) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E3-1505M v5 vs Xeon E5-1620 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E3-1505M v5

The Xeon E3-1505M v5 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-H (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,995 points. Launch price was $434.

Xeon E5-1620 v3

The Xeon E5-1620 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1333, DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 6,959 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

Both the Xeon E3-1505M v5 and Xeon E5-1620 v3 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Xeon E3-1505M v5 versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-1620 v3 — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1505M v5 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Xeon E3-1505M v5 uses the Skylake-H (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-1620 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1505M v5 scores 6,995 against the Xeon E5-1620 v3's 6,959 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon E3-1505M v5. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1505M v5 vs 10 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1620 v3.

Feature	Xeon E3-1505M v5	Xeon E5-1620 v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+3%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz	3.5 GHz+25%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	10 MB (total)+25%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Skylake-H (2015−2016)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	6,995	6,959

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1505M v5 uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1620 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E3-1505M v5	Xeon E5-1620 v3
Socket	BGA1440	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	—	768 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E3-1505M v5) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E5-1620 v3). Primary use case: Xeon E5-1620 v3 targets Server.

Feature	Xeon E3-1505M v5	Xeon E5-1620 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 E3-1505M v5 was priced at $115, while the Xeon E5-1620 v3 came in at $294. On launch pricing ($115 vs $294), Xeon E3-1505M v5 was $179 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1505M v5 delivers 60.8 pts/$ vs 23.7 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-1620 v3 — making the Xeon E3-1505M v5 the 87.9% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E3-1505M v5	Xeon E5-1620 v3
MSRP	$115-61%	$294
Performance per Dollar	60.8+157%	23.7
Release Date	2015	2014

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