Xeon W3520 vs Xeon X3460

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 W3520 vs Xeon X3460 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 W3520 vs Xeon X3460: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon W3520

2009

Why buy it

✅Costs $32 less on MSRP ($284 MSRP vs $316 MSRP).
✅Delivers 10.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 10.4 vs 9.4 PassMark/$ ($284 MSRP vs $316 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,940 vs 2,955).
❌36.8% higher power demand at 130W vs 95W.

Xeon X3460

2009

Why buy it

✅Draws 95W instead of 130W, a 35W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 9.4 vs 10.4 PassMark/$ ($316 MSRP vs $284 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon X3460 better than Xeon W3520?

Yes. Xeon X3460 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, 0.5% 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 X3460 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 X3460 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 X3460 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon W3520 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon X3460 comes in 11.3% more expensive on MSRP at $316 MSRP versus $284 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon W3520 is also 10.7% better value on MSRP (10.4 vs 9.4 PassMark/$), 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 X3460 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 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 W3520 vs Xeon X3460 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon W3520

The Xeon W3520 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 March 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 2.93 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,940 points. Launch price was $404.

Xeon X3460

The Xeon X3460 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.46 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 2,955 points. Launch price was $316.

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Processing Power

Both the Xeon W3520 and Xeon X3460 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.93 GHz on the Xeon W3520 versus 3.46 GHz on the Xeon X3460 — a 16.6% clock advantage for the Xeon X3460 (base: 2.66 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Xeon W3520 uses the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Xeon X3460 uses Lynnfield (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon W3520 scores 2,940 against the Xeon X3460's 2,955 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon X3460. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Xeon W3520	Xeon X3460
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	2.93 GHz	3.46 GHz+18%
Base Clock	2.66 GHz	2.8 GHz+5%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	45 nm	45 nm
Architecture	Bloomfield (2008−2010)	Lynnfield (2009−2010)
PassMark	2,940	2,955

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon W3520 uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon X3460 uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon W3520	Xeon X3460
Socket	LGA1366	LGA1156
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon W3520 was priced at $284, while the Xeon X3460 came in at $316. On launch pricing ($284 vs $316), Xeon W3520 was $32 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon W3520 delivers 10.4 pts/$ vs 9.4 pts/$ for the Xeon X3460 — making the Xeon W3520 the 10.2% better value option.

Feature	Xeon W3520	Xeon X3460
MSRP	$284-10%	$316
Performance per Dollar	10.4+11%	9.4
Release Date	2009	2009

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