Xeon E5-2670 vs Xeon Gold 5122

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 E5-2670 vs Xeon Gold 5122 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 E5-2670 vs Xeon Gold 5122: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E5-2670

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅+21.2% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 17 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $1,552 MSRP, while Xeon Gold 5122 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon Gold 5122

2017

Why buy it

✅Draws 105W instead of 115W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,867 vs 8,901).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (17 MB vs 20 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 5122 better than Xeon E5-2670?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon Gold 5122 is ahead with a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2670 pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2670 also has the bigger cache pool with 21.2% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 17 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2670 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 21.2% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 17 MB).

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

Xeon Gold 5122 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-2670 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon Gold 5122 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,552 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2670 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.4% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2670 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (5.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 Gold 5122 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E5-2670 vs Xeon Gold 5122 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2670

The Xeon E5-2670 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 115 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 8,901 points. Launch price was $145.

Xeon Gold 5122

The Xeon Gold 5122 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 25 April 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 16.5 MB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 8,867 points. Launch price was $1,221.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2670 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon Gold 5122 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Xeon E5-2670 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2670 versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5122 — a 11.4% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 5122 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Xeon E5-2670 uses the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon Gold 5122 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2670 scores 8,901 against the Xeon Gold 5122's 8,867 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon E5-2670. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2670 vs 16.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 5122.

Feature	Xeon E5-2670	Xeon Gold 5122
Cores / Threads	8 / 16+100%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz	3.7 GHz+12%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	3.6 GHz+38%
L3 Cache	20480 kB (total)+21%	16.5 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	4 MB+1500%
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	8,901	8,867

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2670 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon Gold 5122 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E5-2670	Xeon Gold 5122
Socket	LGA2011	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	384 GB	—
RAM Channels	4	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	40	—