Ryzen 3 3300U vs Xeon E3-1220 v5

AMD

Ryzen 3 3300U

4 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2019
Ryzen family
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VS
Intel

Xeon E3-1220 v5

4 Cores4 Thrd80 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2015
Similar parts
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Ryzen 3 3300U vs Xeon E3-1220 v5 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.

Ryzen 3 3300U vs Xeon E3-1220 v5 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 3300U vs Xeon E3-1220 v5: 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 3300U

2019

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +3.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 15W instead of 80W, a 65W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (5,686 vs 5,713).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).

Xeon E3-1220 v5

2015

Why buy it

  • +0.5% higher PassMark.
  • +100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 3 3300U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Launch MSRP is still $203 MSRP, while Ryzen 3 3300U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 433.3% higher power demand at 80W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 3 3300U better than Xeon E3-1220 v5?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1220 v5 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 3 3300U 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 E3-1220 v5 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 3 3300U is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E3-1220 v5 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen 3 3300U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $203 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E3-1220 v5 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.5% better PassMark. Xeon E3-1220 v5 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (28.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 3 3300U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2015). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Ryzen 3 3300U vs Xeon E3-1220 v5 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Ryzen 3 3300U

The Ryzen 3 3300U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Picasso (2019−2022) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: FP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 5,686 points. Launch price was $149.

Intel

Xeon E3-1220 v5

The Xeon E3-1220 v5 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-DT (2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866/2133, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 5,713 points. Launch price was $203.

Processing Power

Both the Ryzen 3 3300U and Xeon E3-1220 v5 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Ryzen 3 3300U versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220 v5 — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Ryzen 3 3300U uses the Picasso (2019−2022) architecture (12 nm), while the Xeon E3-1220 v5 uses Skylake-DT (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 3 3300U scores 5,686 against the Xeon E3-1220 v5's 5,713 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon E3-1220 v5. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 3 3300U vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1220 v5.

FeatureRyzen 3 3300UXeon E3-1220 v5
Cores / Threads
4 / 4
4 / 4
Boost Clock
3.5 GHz
3.5 GHz
Base Clock
2.1 GHz
3 GHz+43%
L3 Cache
4 MB (total)
8 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache
512K (per core)+100%
256 kB (per core)
Process
12 nm-14%
14 nm
Architecture
Picasso (2019−2022)
Skylake-DT (2015)
PassMark
5,686
5,713
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Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 3 3300U uses the FP5 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1220 v5 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureRyzen 3 3300UXeon E3-1220 v5
Socket
FP5
LGA1151
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0