Xeon E3-1515M v5 vs Xeon E5-1620

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 E3-1515M v5 vs Xeon E5-1620 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 E3-1515M v5 vs Xeon E5-1620: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E3-1515M v5

2016

Why buy it

✅+66.2% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 45W instead of 130W, a 85W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Pro Graphics P580, while Xeon E5-1620 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 10 MB).

Xeon E5-1620

2012

Why buy it

✅+25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB).
✅150% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (612 vs 1,017).
❌Lower PassMark (5,848 vs 5,925).
❌Launch MSRP is still $885 MSRP, while Xeon E3-1515M v5 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌188.9% higher power demand at 130W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Xeon E3-1515M v5 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1515M v5 better than Xeon E5-1620?

Yes. Xeon E3-1515M v5 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.3% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E3-1515M v5 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.4% 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 E3-1515M v5 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1515M v5 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-1620 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E3-1515M v5 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $885 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E5-1620 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (6.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E3-1515M v5 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2012) 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 E3-1515M v5 vs Xeon E5-1620 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E3-1515M v5

The Xeon E3-1515M v5 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 January 2016 (9 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: 5,925 points. Launch price was $489.

Xeon E5-1620

The Xeon E5-1620 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 10240 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,848 points. Launch price was $313.

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Processing Power

Both the Xeon E3-1515M v5 and Xeon E5-1620 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Xeon E3-1515M v5 versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-1620 — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-1620 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Xeon E3-1515M v5 uses the Skylake-H (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-1620 uses Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1515M v5 scores 5,925 against the Xeon E5-1620's 5,848 — a 1.3% lead for the Xeon E3-1515M v5. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,017 vs 612, a 49.7% lead for the Xeon E3-1515M v5 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1515M v5 vs 10240 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-1620.

Feature	Xeon E3-1515M v5	Xeon E5-1620
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	3.8 GHz+3%
Base Clock	2.8 GHz	3.6 GHz+29%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	10240 kB (total)+25%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Skylake-H (2015−2016)	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)
PassMark	5,925+1%	5,848
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	3,469
Geekbench 6 Single	1,017+66%	612
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,250

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1515M v5 uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1620 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Xeon E3-1515M v5 versus DDR3-1600 on the Xeon E5-1620 — the Xeon E3-1515M v5 supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-1620 supports up to 375 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 485.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Xeon E3-1515M v5) vs 4 (Xeon E5-1620). PCIe lanes: 16 (Xeon E3-1515M v5) vs 40 (Xeon E5-1620) — the Xeon E5-1620 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SoC (Xeon E3-1515M v5) and Intel C600,Intel X79 (Xeon E5-1620).

Feature	Xeon E3-1515M v5	Xeon E5-1620
Socket	BGA1440	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133+33%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	375 GB+486%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	40+150%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon E3-1515M v5) vs true (Xeon E5-1620). The Xeon E3-1515M v5 includes integrated graphics (Iris Pro Graphics P580), while the Xeon E5-1620 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon E3-1515M v5 targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Xeon E3-1515M v5 rivals Core i7-6700HQ.