Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE vs Xeon X5690

Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE vs Xeon X5690 Performance Spectrum

Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE

4 / 4

7,006

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

Xeon X5690

6 / 12

7,031

+0.4%

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 X5690 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 X5690: 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 $150 less on MSRP ($100 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
✅Delivers 149.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 70.1 vs 28.1 PassMark/$ ($100 MSRP vs $250 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 X5690 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon X5690 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (7,006 vs 7,031).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon X5690, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads.

Xeon X5690

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +21.8% higher average FPS across 50 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 28.1 vs 70.1 PassMark/$ ($250 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 X5690 better than Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon X5690 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 X5690 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 21.8% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon X5690 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% 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 X5690 is still the better call for a fresh build. Xeon X5690 comes in 150.0% more expensive on MSRP at $250 MSRP versus $100 MSRP, and it still gives you a 21.8% average FPS lead across 50 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 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE vs Xeon X5690 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 X5690

The Xeon X5690 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.46 GHz, with boost up to 3.73 GHz. L3 cache: 12288 kB (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: 7,031 points. Launch price was $205.

⚡

Processing Power

The Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon X5690 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon X5690 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE versus 3.73 GHz on the Xeon X5690 — a 1.9% clock advantage for the Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.46 GHz). The Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE uses the Picasso (2019−2022) architecture (12 nm), while the Xeon X5690 uses Westmere-EP (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE scores 7,006 against the Xeon X5690's 7,031 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon X5690. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE vs 12288 kB (total) on the Xeon X5690.

Feature	Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE	Xeon X5690
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+2%	3.73 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz	3.46 GHz+5%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	12288 kB (total)+200%
L2 Cache	512 kB (per core)+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	12 nm-63%	32 nm
Architecture	Picasso (2019−2022)	Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
PassMark	7,006	7,031
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	3,000

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon X5690 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2933 on the Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE versus DDR3-1333 on the Xeon X5690 — the Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE supports 120% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE) vs 3 (Xeon X5690). Chipset compatibility: AMD AM4 (Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE) and Intel X58,Intel 5520 (Xeon X5690).

Feature	Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE	Xeon X5690
Socket	AM4	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2933+120%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	3+50%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	8	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5690). The Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE includes integrated graphics (AMD Radeon Vega 3), while the Xeon X5690 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon X5690 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon X5690 rivals Core i7-980X.

Feature	Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE	Xeon X5690
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	AMD Radeon Vega 3	—
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE was priced at $100, while the Xeon X5690 came in at $250. On launch pricing ($100 vs $250), Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE was $150 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE delivers 70.1 pts/$ vs 28.1 pts/$ for the Xeon X5690 — making the Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE the 85.4% better value option.

Feature	Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE	Xeon X5690
MSRP	$100-60%	$250
Performance per Dollar	70.1+149%	28.1
Release Date	2020	2011

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