Pentium E5500 vs Ryzen 7 3700X

Intel

Pentium E5500

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2010
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 3700X

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2019
Ryzen family
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Pentium E5500 vs Ryzen 7 3700X Performance Spectrum

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.

Pentium E5500 vs Ryzen 7 3700X 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.

Pentium E5500 vs Ryzen 7 3700X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium E5500

2010

Why buy it

  • Costs $254 less on MSRP ($75 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 3700X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (1,064 vs 22,430).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.2 vs 68.2 PassMark/$ ($75 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Ryzen 7 3700X

2019

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +824.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Delivers 380.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 68.2 vs 14.2 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $75 MSRP).
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • 338.7% HIGHER MSRP
    $329 MSRPvs$75 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 3700X better than Pentium E5500?
Yes. Ryzen 7 3700X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 824.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 2008.1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 7 3700X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 824.9% 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, Ryzen 7 3700X is the stronger fit. You are getting 2008.1% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 7 3700X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 3700X comes in 338.7% more expensive on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $75 MSRP, and it still gives you a 824.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 380.6% better value on MSRP (68.2 vs 14.2 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 7 3700X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Pentium E5500 vs Ryzen 7 3700X Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Pentium E5500

The Pentium E5500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 18 April 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,064 points. Launch price was $109.

AMD

Ryzen 7 3700X

The Ryzen 7 3700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 22,430 points. Launch price was $329.

Processing Power

The Pentium E5500 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 7 3700X has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Pentium E5500 versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X — a 44.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 3700X (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Pentium E5500 uses the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium E5500 scores 1,064 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 22,430 — a 181.9% lead for the Ryzen 7 3700X. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Pentium E5500 vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X.

FeaturePentium E5500Ryzen 7 3700X
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
8 / 16+300%
Boost Clock
2.8 GHz
4.4 GHz+57%
Base Clock
2.8 GHz
3.6 GHz+29%
L3 Cache
0 kB
32 MB
L2 Cache
2 MB (total)
512K (per core)+25500%
Process
45 nm
7 nm, 12 nm-84%
Architecture
Wolfdale (2008−2010)
Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark
1,064
22,430+2008%
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Memory & Platform

The Pentium E5500 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeaturePentium E5500Ryzen 7 3700X
Socket
LGA775
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 1.1
PCIe 4.0+264%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
Yes
PCIe Lanes
24
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Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium E5500 was priced at $75, while the Ryzen 7 3700X came in at $329. On launch pricing ($75 vs $329), Pentium E5500 was $254 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium E5500 delivers 14.2 pts/$ vs 68.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 3700X — making the Ryzen 7 3700X the 131.1% better value option.

FeaturePentium E5500Ryzen 7 3700X
MSRP
$75-77%
$329
Performance per Dollar
14.2
68.2+380%
Release Date
2010
2019

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