
Xeon E5-4620 vs FX-8120

Xeon E5-4620

FX-8120
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Xeon E5-4620 is positioned at rank 1013 and the FX-8120 is on rank 567, so the FX-8120 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-4620
Performance Per Dollar FX-8120
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E5-4620 | FX-8120 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($400) | ✅ More affordable ($40) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Zambezi (2011−2012) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E5-4620 | FX-8120 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+894%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($400) | ✅ More affordable ($40) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E5-4620 and FX-8120

Xeon E5-4620
The Xeon E5-4620 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 16384 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,635 points. Launch price was $400.

FX-8120
The FX-8120 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 12 October 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB. L2 cache: 8192 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,594 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Xeon E5-4620 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, matching the FX-8120's 8 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-4620 versus 4 GHz on the FX-8120 — a 42.4% clock advantage for the FX-8120 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Xeon E5-4620 uses the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture (32 nm), while the FX-8120 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-4620 scores 6,635 against the FX-8120's 6,594 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon E5-4620. L3 cache: 16384 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-4620 vs 8192 kB on the FX-8120.
| Feature | Xeon E5-4620 | FX-8120 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 16 | 8 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 2.6 GHz | 4 GHz+54% |
| Base Clock | 2.2 GHz | 3.1 GHz+41% |
| L3 Cache | 16384 kB (total)+100% | 8192 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 8192 kB+3100% |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) | Zambezi (2011−2012) |
| PassMark | 6,635 | 6,594 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E5-4620 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the FX-8120 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon E5-4620 | FX-8120 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2011 | AM3+ |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E5-4620 launched at $2141 MSRP, while the FX-8120 debuted at $205. At current prices ($400 vs $40), the FX-8120 is $360 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-4620 delivers 16.6 pts/$ vs 164.8 pts/$ for the FX-8120 — making the FX-8120 the 163.4% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E5-4620 | FX-8120 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $2141 | $205-90% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $400 | $40-90% |
| Performance per Dollar | 16.6 | 164.8+893% |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2011 |
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