Ryzen 3 3350U vs Xeon D-1521

Ryzen 3 3350U vs Xeon D-1521 Performance Spectrum

Ryzen 3 3350U

4 / 4

5,732

+0.5%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

Xeon D-1521

4 / 8

5,703

0.0%

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 3350U vs Xeon D-1521 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 3350U vs Xeon D-1521: 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 3350U

2019

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 1.5 MB).
✅Draws 2W instead of 45W, a 43W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon D-1521 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon D-1521, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads.

Xeon D-1521

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +18.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,703 vs 5,732).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (1.5 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $199 MSRP, while Ryzen 3 3350U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌2150% higher power demand at 45W vs 2W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 3 3350U better than Xeon D-1521?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon D-1521 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 3 3350U 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, Ryzen 3 3350U 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 166.7% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 1.5 MB).

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

Ryzen 3 3350U is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Ryzen 3 3350U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark. Xeon D-1521 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Ryzen 3 3350U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2015), 166.7% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 1.5 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Ryzen 3 3350U vs Xeon D-1521 Technical Specifications

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

Ryzen 3 3350U

The Ryzen 3 3350U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Zen+ (2018−2019) 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. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB + 4 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 5,732 points. Launch price was $149.

Xeon D-1521

The Xeon D-1521 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 November 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 1.5 MB (per core). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1667. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,703 points. Launch price was $199.

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Processing Power

The Ryzen 3 3350U packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Xeon D-1521's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Ryzen 3 3350U versus 2.7 GHz on the Xeon D-1521 — a 25.8% clock advantage for the Ryzen 3 3350U (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Ryzen 3 3350U uses the Zen+ (2018−2019) architecture (12 nm), while the Xeon D-1521 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 3 3350U scores 5,732 against the Xeon D-1521's 5,703 — a 0.5% lead for the Ryzen 3 3350U. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Ryzen 3 3350U vs 1.5 MB (per core) on the Xeon D-1521.

Feature	Ryzen 3 3350U	Xeon D-1521
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz+30%	2.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	2.4 GHz+14%
L3 Cache	4 MB+167%	1.5 MB (per core)
L2 Cache	2 MB	256K (per core)+12700%
Process	12 nm-14%	14 nm
Architecture	Zen+ (2018−2019)	Broadwell (2015−2019)
PassMark	5,732	5,703

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Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 3 3350U uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon D-1521 uses FCBGA1667 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.