Intel Xeon E5520

The Intel Xeon E5520 is a server and workstation processor from Intel’s Nehalem architecture, released in March 2009 under the Gainestown codename. Built on a 45 nm process with 731 million transistors and a 263 mm² die size, this 4-core, 8-thread chip operates at a base clock of 2.27 GHz and a boost clock of 2.53 GHz. With an 80 W TDP and support for DDR3 triple-channel memory, it targets entry-level servers and dual-socket workstations of its era. The benchmark data below places it in a narrow performance band, nearly identical to several contemporary desktop and mobile parts, indicating its mid-range positioning at the time of testing.

Benchmark Performance

The average benchmark score for the Intel Xeon E5520 is 741, which places it at the 19th percentile of all CPUs in the database. This percentile reflects a processor that sits below the majority of modern and even older high-end parts, but within a tightly clustered group of rivals. The nearestRivals data shows a remarkable parity: the AMD Phenom II X4 B97 also scores 741, resulting in a 0% delta. The Intel Core i3-5010U scores 742, a 0.1% difference, while the Intel Core i5-750 scores 743, a 0.2% gap. The only rival with a lower score is the Intel Xeon L5530 at 737, giving the E5520 a 0.5% advantage. These deltas are negligible in practical terms, meaning the E5520 performs essentially identically to these four competing parts in aggregate benchmarks.

Looking at specific workload tests, the multi-core scores reveal a consistent pattern. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the E5520 achieves 216 points. Cinebench R20 multi-core yields 904 points, while Cinebench R23 multi-core produces 2153 points. These scores, when compared to the average of 741, indicate that the processor’s multi-threaded performance scales with the test’s intensity but remains firmly in the lower tier of results. For context, the 0.5% lead over the Xeon L5530 in average score translates to roughly 4 points on the 741 scale, which is within run-to-run variance. The 0.2% deficit against the Core i5-750 means the E5520 trails by about 2 points, again a trivial margin. This clustering suggests that for aggregate performance, the E5520 offers no distinct advantage or disadvantage over its closest peers.

Power and Thermals

The Intel Xeon E5520 is rated at a TDP of 80 W, which is a modest figure for a 4-core, 8-thread server part from 2009. This TDP class implies that a capable air cooler with a standard 80 mm or larger fan would suffice for most installations, as the chip does not require exotic liquid cooling or oversized heatsinks typical of higher-TDP workstation processors. The 45 nm process node and 731 million transistors contribute to this efficiency, though the architecture is not as power-savvy as later generations. In a server chassis with adequate airflow, the E5520 should maintain stable operation under sustained loads, given its 80 W envelope. The absence of integrated graphics further reduces power draw, as the processor only handles compute tasks. For dual-socket configurations, which this Xeon supports via the Socket 1366 platform, total system power would be 160 W for two CPUs, still manageable within standard server power supplies of the period. Thermal management is straightforward, but the data does not include specific temperature figures, so precise cooling requirements beyond the TDP class remain speculative.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The split between single-thread and multi-thread performance is instructive. In Cinebench R20, the single-core score is 127, while the multi-core score is 904. This yields a multi-core to single-core ratio of approximately 7.1, which is lower than the theoretical 8x scaling from 4 cores with 8 threads. The Cinebench R23 results show a similar pattern: single-core scores 303, multi-core scores 2153, giving a ratio of about 7.1 as well. This indicates that the Hyper-Threading implementation on the Nehalem architecture delivers nearly linear scaling, but with slight efficiency losses due to shared resources like the 8 MB L3 cache and memory bandwidth contention. For real workloads, this means the E5520 excels in parallel tasks such as video encoding, 3D rendering, or database queries that can utilize all 8 threads. Conversely, single-threaded tasks like legacy office applications or certain game engines will see scores of 127 or 303, which are comparable to low-power mobile chips. The Core i3-5010U, a 15 W dual-core mobile part, scores 742 on average, outperforming the E5520 in single-thread tests due to its newer architecture, but the E5520’s multi-thread advantage is clear in the Cinebench multi-core numbers. Users should prioritize multi-threaded workloads to extract value from this processor.

Who Should Consider It

Given the benchmark results, the Intel Xeon E5520 is best suited for applications that leverage multiple cores and threads. The 8-thread capability, evidenced by the Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 2153, makes it viable for basic 3D rendering, batch photo processing, or running multiple virtual machines in a homelab environment. The 19th percentile ranking means it will struggle with modern gaming, where single-thread performance is critical; the Cinebench R23 single-core score of 303 is far below what contemporary titles require. Office productivity, such as word processing, spreadsheets, and email, does not benefit from 8 threads, and the single-core scores of 127 (R20) or 303 (R23) are sufficient for these tasks but not snappy by modern standards. For server workloads like file serving, web hosting, or lightweight database operations, the E5520’s multi-threaded performance and ECC memory support make it a functional, if dated, choice. The AMD Phenom II X4 B97 and Intel Core i5-750, both scoring within 0.2% in average benchmarks, offer similar multi-threaded performance but lack ECC support and Socket 1366’s dual-socket capability. Thus, the E5520 is a niche part for those needing ECC memory and server features, not for general consumer use.

Platform and Compatibility

The Intel Xeon E5520 uses the Intel Socket 1366, which is the platform for Nehalem-based Xeon processors. This socket supports the Gainestown architecture and is compatible with dual-socket motherboards, allowing two E5520s to operate together, though the benchmark data only reflects a single processor. Memory support is DDR3 with a triple-channel bus, meaning three memory modules operate in parallel for optimal bandwidth. ECC memory is supported, which is essential for server reliability and error correction in data-sensitive workloads. The PCIe interface is Gen 2, providing adequate bandwidth for storage controllers and network cards of the era, but not for modern Gen 4 or Gen 5 devices. The processor has no integrated graphics, so a discrete GPU is mandatory for any video output. The upgrade path from the E5520 on Socket 1366 is limited to other Gainestown or Westmere Xeon parts, but the production status is end-of-life, so availability is restricted to used markets. The part number is SLBFD, and the multiplier is locked, preventing overclocking. With a release date of March 2009, this platform predates many modern features like NVMe, USB 3.0, and SATA 6 Gbps, so compatibility with current peripherals requires add-on cards.

FAQ

Q: How does the Intel Xeon E5520 compare to the AMD Phenom II X4 B97?

A: The two processors have identical average benchmark scores of 741, resulting in a deltaPct of 0%. In practical terms, they perform the same in aggregate workloads, though the E5520 supports ECC memory and dual-socket configurations while the Phenom II does not.

Q: What is the multi-core performance of the E5520 in Cinebench R23?

A: The Cinebench R23 multi-core score is 2153 points. This is significantly higher than the single-core score of 303, indicating strong parallel scaling across its 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Does the E5520 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the processor supports ECC memory. It also uses DDR3 memory in a triple-channel configuration, which is typical for server platforms of its generation.

Q: What is the TDP of the Intel Xeon E5520 and what cooling does it need?

A: The TDP is 80 W. This implies a standard air cooler is sufficient, as the heat output is modest for a server processor. No specific cooler size is stated, but the TDP class allows for conventional heatsinks.

Q: Is the E5520 suitable for modern gaming?

A: No. The single-core Cinebench R23 score of 303 is very low by modern standards, and the 19th percentile ranking across all CPUs indicates it will bottleneck modern games that rely on high single-thread performance.

Q: What socket and memory bus does the E5520 use?

A: It uses Intel Socket 1366 and supports DDR3 memory via a triple-channel bus. The PCIe interface is Gen 2, and there is no integrated graphics, so a discrete GPU is required.