Ryzen 3 3100 vs Xeon E-2278GEL

Ryzen 3 3100 vs Xeon E-2278GEL Performance Spectrum

Ryzen 3 3100

4 / 8

11,928

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Xeon E-2278GEL

8 / 16

12,024

+0.8%

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.

Ryzen 3 3100 vs Xeon E-2278GEL 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.

Ryzen 3 3100 vs Xeon E-2278GEL: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Ryzen 3 3100

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (11,928 vs 12,024).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E-2278GEL, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $99 MSRP, while Xeon E-2278GEL mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

Xeon E-2278GEL

2019

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads.
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 3 3100 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 3 3100 better than Xeon E-2278GEL?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E-2278GEL makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 3 3100 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E-2278GEL is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Ryzen 3 3100 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 3 3100 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $99 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E-2278GEL is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.8% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (120.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 3 3100 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2019). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Ryzen 3 3100 vs Xeon E-2278GEL Technical Specifications

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

Ryzen 3 3100

The Ryzen 3 3100 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 24 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 11,928 points. Launch price was $99.

Xeon E-2278GEL

The Xeon E-2278GEL is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 June 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 12,024 points. Launch price was $519.

⚡

Processing Power

The Ryzen 3 3100 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E-2278GEL offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E-2278GEL has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Ryzen 3 3100 versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E-2278GEL — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Ryzen 3 3100 uses the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture (7 nm), while the Xeon E-2278GEL uses Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 3 3100 scores 11,928 against the Xeon E-2278GEL's 12,024 — a 0.8% lead for the Xeon E-2278GEL. Both processors carry 16 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Ryzen 3 3100	Xeon E-2278GEL
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	8 / 16+100%
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+80%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)	16 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)	Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019)
PassMark	11,928	12,024

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 3 3100 uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E-2278GEL uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.