Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE vs Xeon W3680

Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE vs Xeon W3680 Performance Spectrum

Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE

4 / 4

7,006

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

Xeon W3680

6 / 12

7,025

+0.3%

About PassMark

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.

Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE vs Xeon W3680 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.

Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE vs Xeon W3680: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE

2020

Why buy it

✅Costs $494 less on MSRP ($100 MSRP vs $594 MSRP).
✅Delivers 492.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 70.1 vs 11.8 PassMark/$ ($100 MSRP vs $594 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 130W, a 95W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (8 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with AMD Radeon Vega 3, while Xeon W3680 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W3680 across 47 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (7,006 vs 7,025).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon W3680, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads.

Xeon W3680

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +19.1% higher average FPS across 47 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.8 vs 70.1 PassMark/$ ($594 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
❌271.4% higher power demand at 130W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W3680 better than Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W3680 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon W3680 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 19.1% more average FPS across 47 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon W3680 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 200% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 4 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Xeon W3680 is still the better call for a fresh build. Xeon W3680 comes in 494.0% more expensive on MSRP at $594 MSRP versus $100 MSRP, and it still gives you a 19.1% average FPS lead across 47 shared CPU game tests in our data. Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE only looks stronger on raw value math because it is so cheap, but its absolute performance tier is too low to be the better recommendation now. At roughly 7,006 PassMark with 4 cores and 4 threads, it only really makes sense as a bare-minimum stopgap or a very constrained existing-platform upgrade.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE vs Xeon W3680 Technical Specifications

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

Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE

The Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Picasso (2019−2022) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 7,006 points. Launch price was $149.

Xeon W3680

The Xeon W3680 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Gulftown (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.33 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 7,025 points. Launch price was $350.

⚡

Processing Power

The Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon W3680 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon W3680 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon W3680 — a 5.4% clock advantage for the Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.33 GHz). The Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE uses the Picasso (2019−2022) architecture (12 nm), while the Xeon W3680 uses Gulftown (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE scores 7,006 against the Xeon W3680's 7,025 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon W3680. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon W3680.

Feature	Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE	Xeon W3680
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+6%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz	3.33 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	12 MB (total)+200%
L2 Cache	512 kB (per core)+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	12 nm-63%	32 nm
Architecture	Picasso (2019−2022)	Gulftown (2010−2011)
PassMark	7,006	7,025

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W3680 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE	Xeon W3680
Socket	AM4	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2933	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	8	—

🔧

Advanced Features

The Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE includes integrated graphics (AMD Radeon Vega 3), while the Xeon W3680 requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE	Xeon W3680
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	AMD Radeon Vega 3	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE was priced at $100, while the Xeon W3680 came in at $594. On launch pricing ($100 vs $594), Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE was $494 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE delivers 70.1 pts/$ vs 11.8 pts/$ for the Xeon W3680 — making the Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE the 142.2% better value option.

Feature	Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE	Xeon W3680
MSRP	$100-83%	$594
Performance per Dollar	70.1+494%	11.8
Release Date	2020	2010

Search Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE on Amazon

Search Xeon W3680 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.