i7-3520M vs Xeon E5-1603

VS

Aggregate performance score

Xeon E5-1603
2012
4 cores / 4 threads, 130 Watt
2.18
+21.1%
Core i7-3520M
2012
2 cores / 4 threads, 35 Watt
1.80

Xeon E5-1603 outperforms Core i7-3520M by a significant 21% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Xeon E5-1603 and Core i7-3520M processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking18522017
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Market segmentServerLaptop
Seriesno dataIntel Core i7
Power efficiency1.594.87
Architecture codenameno dataIvy Bridge (2012−2013)
Release date1 January 2012 (12 years ago)3 June 2012 (12 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)no data$346

Detailed specifications

Xeon E5-1603 and Core i7-3520M basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores4 (Quad-Core)2 (Dual-core)
Threads44
Base clock speed2.8 GHz2.9 GHz
Boost clock speedno data3.6 GHz
Bus rate0 GT/s5 GT/s
L1 cacheno data64K (per core)
L2 cacheno data256K (per core)
L3 cache10 MB4 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm22 nm
Die sizeno data118 mm2
Maximum core temperature64 °C105 °C
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
VID voltage range0.6V - 1.35Vno data

Compatibility

Information on Xeon E5-1603 and Core i7-3520M compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration11
SocketFCLGA2011FCBGA1023,FCPGA988
Power consumption (TDP)130 Watt35 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Xeon E5-1603 and Core i7-3520M. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® AVXIntel® AVX
AES-NI++
AVX-+
vPro+no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
My WiFino data+
Turbo Boost Technology-2.0
Hyper-Threading Technology-+
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Access++
Demand Based Switching+-
FDIno data+
Fast Memory Accessno data+

Security technologies

Xeon E5-1603 and Core i7-3520M technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++
Secure Keyno data+
Identity Protection-+
Anti-Theftno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Xeon E5-1603 and Core i7-3520M are enumerated here.

AMD-V-+
VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Xeon E5-1603 and Core i7-3520M. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3-800, DDR3-1066DDR3
Maximum memory size375 GB32 GB
Max memory channels42
Maximum memory bandwidth31.4 GB/s25.6 GB/s
ECC memory support+-

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataIntel HD Graphics 4000
Quick Sync Video-+
Clear Video HDno data+
Graphics max frequencyno data1.25 GHz
InTru 3Dno data+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Xeon E5-1603 and Core i7-3520M integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data3
eDPno data+
DisplayPort-+
HDMI-+
SDVOno data+
CRTno data+

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Xeon E5-1603 and Core i7-3520M.

PCIe version3.03.0
PCI Express lanes4016

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

Xeon E5-1603 2.18
+21.1%
i7-3520M 1.80

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

Xeon E5-1603 3467
+20.9%
i7-3520M 2867

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

Xeon E5-1603 467
i7-3520M 574
+22.9%

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

Xeon E5-1603 1481
+26.8%
i7-3520M 1168

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 2.18 1.80
Recency 1 January 2012 3 June 2012
Physical cores 4 2
Chip lithography 32 nm 22 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 130 Watt 35 Watt

Xeon E5-1603 has a 21.1% higher aggregate performance score, and 100% more physical cores.

i7-3520M, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 5 months, a 45.5% more advanced lithography process, and 271.4% lower power consumption.

The Xeon E5-1603 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-3520M in performance tests.

Be aware that Xeon E5-1603 is a server/workstation processor while Core i7-3520M is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Xeon E5-1603 and Core i7-3520M, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Xeon E5-1603
Xeon E5-1603
Intel Core i7-3520M
Core i7-3520M

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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