Xeon E5520

Details and Benchmarks for Intel Xeon E5520

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Benchmark Results

Combined benchmark scores based on multiple data points, giving a quick overview of this processor's performance.

Overall Score

Overall score for Xeon E5520 based on all benchmark results gathered. Look at this like a meta score, you will find more specific workload ratings below.

4,374 Rank: 1440
Rank Name Score Visual
1436 Xeon E5620 4,377
+0.1%
1437 Phenom II X4 960T 4,377
+0.1%
1438 Core i5-2557M 4,376
+0%
1439 Pentium Silver J5040 4,375
+0%
1440 Xeon E5520 4,374
1441 Xeon X5460 4,373
+-0%
1442 Athlon II X3 455 4,372
+-0%
1443 Core i5-2450M 4,370
-0.1%
1444 Core i7-2617M 4,369
-0.1%
1445 Core 2 Duo E8600 4,369
-0.1%

View full ranking →

Multicore Score

Multicore performance score for Xeon E5520 based on multi-threaded benchmark results.

4,511 Rank: 1205
Rank Name Score Visual
1201 Phenom II X4 840 4,514
+0.1%
1202 Xeon W5590 4,513
+0%
1203 Core i7-2655LE 4,512
+0%
1204 Phenom II X4 850 4,512
+0%
1205 Xeon E5520 4,511
1206 Core i5-3570S 4,511
+0%
1207 A10-5800B 4,510
+-0%
1208 Pentium Gold G6405 4,510
+-0%
1209 Core i3-8145U 4,509
+-0%
1210 Core i5-3380M 4,509
+-0%

View full ranking →

Singlecore Score

Single-core performance score for Xeon E5520 based on single-threaded benchmark results.

4,282 Rank: 1503
Rank Name Score Visual
1499 Xeon X5472 4,286
+0.1%
1500 A4-5300 4,286
+0.1%
1501 Phenom II X2 550 4,284
+0%
1502 Pentium E5800 4,283
+0%
1503 Xeon E5520 4,282
1504 Phenom II X2 B57 4,282
+0%
1505 Phenom II N950 4,281
+-0%
1506 FX-6100 4,280
+-0%
1507 Pentium E6500 4,279
-0.1%
1508 Core 2 Quad Q9400 4,279
-0.1%

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Workload Scores

Performance scores grouped by workload type, normalized and aggregated from multiple raw benchmark results.

Number Crunching

Aggregated score for Xeon E5520 based on integer math, floating point math, and prime number computation benchmarks.

4,580 Rank: 1030
Rank Name Score Visual
1026 A8-7670K 4,581
+0%
1027 Athlon X4 950 4,581
+0%
1028 A8-6600K 4,580
+0%
1029 A10-5800K 4,580
+0%
1030 Xeon E5520 4,580
1031 A10 PRO-7800B 4,580
+0%
1032 Core i7-7660U 4,579
+-0%
1033 Core i7-7560U 4,579
+-0%
1034 Atom C3958 4,579
+-0%
1035 A12-9800E 4,579
+-0%

View full ranking →

Data Processing

Aggregated score for Xeon E5520 based on data encryption, data compression, and string sorting benchmarks.

4,546 Rank: 1072
Rank Name Score Visual
1068 Core i5-7260U 4,546
+0%
1069 Core i3-4350 4,546
+0%
1070 Phenom II X4 975 4,546
+0%
1071 A10-7850K 4,546
+0%
1072 Xeon E5520 4,546
1073 Pentium Silver J5040 4,546
+0%
1074 Core i5-6287U 4,545
+-0%
1075 Core i3-10110U 4,545
+-0%
1076 A10-6800K 4,545
+-0%
1077 A12-9800E 4,545
+-0%

View full ranking →

Physics & Compute

Aggregated score for Xeon E5520 based on physics simulation and extended instruction set (SSE/AVX) benchmarks.

4,568 Rank: 1056
Rank Name Score Visual
1052 Xeon X3450 4,570
+0%
1053 Core i3-4360T 4,570
+0%
1054 Pentium Gold G6400 4,569
+0%
1055 Athlon 240GE 4,568
+0%
1056 Xeon E5520 4,568
1057 Core i5-6300U 4,567
+-0%
1058 Xeon E5540 4,567
+-0%
1059 Core i7-860S 4,567
+-0%
1060 Pentium Gold G5500 4,566
+-0%
1061 Core i5-4570T 4,566
+-0%

View full ranking →

Xeon E5520 Details

The Intel Xeon E5520 represents a significant chapter in the evolution of server-grade processors, showcasing Intel's commitment to performance and reliability in multi-threaded workloads. Released in March 2009, this processor belongs to the Gainestown architecture family and is built on a 45 nm process node, which was considered advanced for its time. With a TDP of 80 W, the E5520 demands adequate cooling but delivers robust performance for its era, particularly in dual-processor configurations. As of early 2026, the Xeon E5520 is now over 17 years old, placing it firmly in the legacy category, yet it remains relevant in certain retro computing and embedded applications due to its stability and ECC memory support.

This processor features four cores and eight threads thanks to Intel Hyper-Threading technology, allowing it to handle a wide range of concurrent tasks effectively. It operates at a base frequency of 2.26 GHz and can boost to 2.53 GHz under optimal conditions, supported by a 5.86 GT/s bus speed and a triple-channel DDR3 memory interface. The integrated L3 cache measures 7.629 MiB, providing substantial data throughput for server and workstation environments. With a maximum memory capacity of 144 GB and a peak bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, the E5520 is well-suited for memory-intensive applications such as virtualization, database management, and scientific simulations.

Despite its age, the Xeon E5520 supports a wide array of modern instruction sets, including AVX2, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, and AES-NI, ensuring compatibility with legacy software while maintaining efficient data processing. It also supports hardware virtualization via VT-x and VT-d, which enhances the performance of virtual machines, making it a reliable choice for server administrators. The processor lacks integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for visual output, which is typical for server-class components.

In benchmark testing, the Xeon E5520 achieves an Overall Score of 4,374, ranking #1,440 out of 2,060 processors, with a Singlecore Score of 4,282 (#1,503) and a Multicore Score of 4,511 (#1,205). These results indicate that while the E5520 is no longer competitive with modern CPUs, it holds its own in multicore performance, outperforming many mid-range consumer processors from the late 2000s and early 2010s. Its multicore strength is particularly evident when compared to its single-core performance, which is more modest, reflecting the design priorities of its era.

In conclusion, the Intel Xeon E5520 is best suited for legacy server environments, small-scale virtualization setups, or educational purposes where cost-effective, reliable processing is more important than cutting-edge performance. While it has been surpassed by generations of faster, more energy-efficient CPUs, its legacy as a capable and durable server processor remains intact. For users seeking a stable, ECC-enabled platform for non-demanding workloads, the E5520 remains a viable option, albeit one that requires careful consideration of power and cooling requirements.
Frequently Compared

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Intel Xeon E5520

Main Specifications

Designer: Intel
Name: Xeon E5520
Model Number: E5520
Cores: 4
Threads: 8
Base Frequency: 2260 MHz
Clock Multiplier: 17x (locked)
Core Name: Gainestown
Socket: FCLGA1366
Package: FC-LGA8
Target Segment: Server
Max CPUs: 2
TDP: 80 W

Cache Specifications

L1 Cache: 62.464 KiB
L2 Cache: 0.244 MiB
L3 Cache: 7.629 MiB

Memory Specifications

Supported Memory Type: DDR3 800/1066
Memory Channels: 3
Maximum Memory: 0 GB
Maximum Bandwidth: 25.6 GB/s
ECC Support: Yes

PCI-Express Specifications

PCIe Revision: 3.0
PCIe Lanes: 12
PCIe Configuration: 1x4, 2x2, 1x2+2x1 and 4x1

Integrated Graphics

GPU: HD Graphics 620
GPU Designer: Intel
GPU Max Frequency: 1000 MHz

Physical Specifications

Process: 45 nm
Die Area: 263 mm²
Transistor Count: 0.00 billion
Manufacturer: Intel
Word Size: 64-bit

CPU Features

MMX SSE SSE2 SSE3 SSSE3 SSE4.1 SSE4.2 AVX2 AES x86-64 HT EIST TXT vPro VT-x VT-d EPT Secure Key SMEP SIPP IPT TSX Flex Memory FMA
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