Core i7-990X vs Ryzen 3 PRO 1300

Core i7-990X vs Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 Performance Spectrum

Core i7-990X

6 / 12

7,135

+0.4%

7,106

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

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.

Core i7-990X vs Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 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.

Core i7-990X vs Ryzen 3 PRO 1300: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-990X

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.1 vs 64.6 PassMark/$ ($999 MSRP vs $110 MSRP).
❌100% higher power demand at 130W vs 65W.

Ryzen 3 PRO 1300

2017

Why buy it

✅Costs $889 less on MSRP ($110 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 804.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 64.6 vs 7.1 PassMark/$ ($110 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 130W, a 65W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-990X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (7,106 vs 7,135).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-990X better than Ryzen 3 PRO 1300?

Yes. Core i7-990X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 13.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.4% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-990X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 13.5% 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, Core i7-990X 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 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Core i7-990X is still the better call for a fresh build. Core i7-990X comes in 808.2% more expensive on MSRP at $999 MSRP versus $110 MSRP, and it still gives you a 13.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 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 7,106 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?

Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-990X vs Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-990X

The Core i7-990X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Gulftown (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: 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: 7,135 points. Launch price was $1,104.

Ryzen 3 PRO 1300

The Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 29 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Zen (2017−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 7,106 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-990X packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i7-990X has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.73 GHz on the Core i7-990X versus 3.5 GHz on the Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 — a 6.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-990X (base: 3.46 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i7-990X uses the Gulftown (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 uses Zen (2017−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-990X scores 7,135 against the Ryzen 3 PRO 1300's 7,106 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i7-990X. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-990X vs 8 MB (total) on the Ryzen 3 PRO 1300.

Feature	Core i7-990X	Ryzen 3 PRO 1300
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+50%	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.73 GHz+7%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.46 GHz+8%	3.2 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+50%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Gulftown (2010−2011)	Zen (2017−2020)
PassMark	7,135	7,106

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-990X uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-990X	Ryzen 3 PRO 1300
Socket	LGA1366	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-990X was priced at $999, while the Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 came in at $110. On launch pricing ($999 vs $110), Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 was $889 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-990X delivers 7.1 pts/$ vs 64.6 pts/$ for the Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 — making the Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 the 160.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-990X	Ryzen 3 PRO 1300
MSRP	$999	$110-89%
Performance per Dollar	7.1	64.6+810%
Release Date	2011	2017

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