
Intel
Intel BX80563L5320A Xeon L5320 1.86GHz 8MB Processor
Four Xeon cores at 1.86GHz with an 8MB shared cache deliver reliable, low-power throughput for dual-socket server builds where efficiency matters more than raw clock speed.
$77.11*
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jun 04, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.
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Overview
Key Features
Intel Xeon DP Quad-core L5320 1.86GHz Processor - 1.86GHz
Specifications
Processor Model
Xeon L5320
Clock Speed
1.86GHz
Cores
Quad-core
Cache
8MB
Pros & Cons
👍 Pros
- 50W TDP enables deployment in thermally constrained 1U rack and blade chassis where 80W+ CPUs cannot be used.
- 8MB total L2 cache (4MB per die pair) reduces memory bus pressure for workloads with moderate working-set sizes.
- Quad-core configuration across a single LGA771 socket doubles thread count versus contemporary dual-core Xeon 5100-series parts.
- 1066MHz FSB provides sufficient bandwidth headroom for the CPU's 1.86GHz core clock, avoiding artificial bottlenecks at this performance tier.
- sSpec code SLA4Q is well-documented, making firmware and compatibility verification straightforward for server administrators.
👎 Cons
- 1.86GHz clock speed is a hard ceiling — the L5320 has no Turbo Boost, so single-threaded performance is fixed and measurably lower than even modest modern server CPUs.
- Dual-die packaging means the four cores do not share a unified L2 cache; cross-die thread communication incurs additional latency versus a monolithic quad-core design.
- LGA771 is a legacy platform — DDR2 FB-DIMM memory required by compatible boards is expensive per-gigabyte and increasingly scarce.
- Maximum addressable memory on most compatible platforms tops out at 32–64GB, a constraint for modern virtualization workloads.
- No hardware virtualization extensions beyond VT-x; lacks VT-d (IOMMU) support found in later Intel Xeon generations, limiting PCIe passthrough scenarios.
Frequently Asked Questions
What socket does the Xeon L5320 use, and which server platforms is it compatible with?
The L5320 uses Socket LGA771. It is compatible with dual-socket server platforms built around Intel's 5000-series (Blackford) chipset, including many HP ProLiant DL360/DL380 G5 and Dell PowerEdge 1950/2950 systems. Verify your board's supported CPU list before purchasing.
What does the "L" prefix in L5320 mean, and how does it affect power consumption?
The "L" designates Intel's low-voltage Xeon DP line. The L5320 carries a 50W TDP — roughly half that of the standard E5320 running at the same clock — making it a meaningful choice in 1U/2U blade and rack environments where per-socket thermal headroom is limited.
The front side bus runs at 1066MHz. Is that a bottleneck for multi-threaded workloads?
At 1.86GHz core speed, the 1066MHz FSB is adequate for the workloads this CPU targets — file serving, light virtualization, and database reads. It will become a bottleneck under sustained memory-bandwidth-intensive tasks (e.g., in-memory analytics), where a higher-clocked Harpertown part with a faster FSB would be preferable.
How is the 8MB L2 cache organized across the four cores?
The L5320 is a dual-die package: two Woodcrest dual-core dies, each sharing a 4MB L2 cache between its two cores. This means cores 0/1 share one 4MB pool and cores 2/3 share the other. Workloads that keep threads within a die see lower latency than cross-die communication.
Can this processor be upgraded to a faster Xeon in the same platform?
Yes. LGA771 boards that support the 1066MHz FSB can also run the Xeon E5320 (1.86GHz, 80W) or step up to the Harpertown generation (E5400/L5400 series, 1333MHz FSB) if the motherboard firmware supports it. The L5320 is typically the ceiling for strictly low-power configurations.