CPU
GPU
Xeon E5506
Core i3-2120
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 E5506 is positioned at rank 875 and the Core i3-2120 is on rank 911, so the Xeon E5506 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5506
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-2120
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E5506 | Core i3-2120 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($25) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Gainestown (2009−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E5506 | Core i3-2120 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($25) |
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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
Valorant
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E5506 and Core i3-2120
Xeon E5506
The Xeon E5506 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 March 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Gainestown (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 0.13 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,961 points. Launch price was $43.
Core i3-2120
The Core i3-2120 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,979 points. Launch price was $95.
Processing Power
The Xeon E5506 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-2120 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon E5506 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 0.13 GHz on the Xeon E5506 versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i3-2120 — a 184.8% clock advantage for the Core i3-2120 (base: 2.13 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Xeon E5506 uses the Gainestown (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-2120 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5506 scores 1,961 against the Core i3-2120's 1,979 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i3-2120. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Xeon E5506 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2120.
| Feature | Xeon E5506 | Core i3-2120 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 0.13 GHz | 3.3 GHz+2438% |
| Base Clock | 2.13 GHz | 3.3 GHz+55% |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total)+33% | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 32 nm-29% |
| Architecture | Gainestown (2009−2010) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 1,961 | 1,979 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 1,073 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 534 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 1,140 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E5506 uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-2120 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon E5506 | Core i3-2120 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1366 | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E5506) / Yes (Core i3-2120). The Core i3-2120 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 2000), while the Xeon E5506 requires a dedicated GPU.
| Feature | Xeon E5506 | Core i3-2120 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel HD Graphics 2000 |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | Yes |
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