Ryzen 3 5300G vs Xeon E5-2660 v3

Ryzen 3 5300G vs Xeon E5-2660 v3 Performance Spectrum

Ryzen 3 5300G

4 / 8

13,050

+0.1%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Xeon E5-2660 v3

10 / 20

13,039

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 5300G vs Xeon E5-2660 v3 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 5300G vs Xeon E5-2660 v3: 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 5300G

2021

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,315 less on MSRP ($130 MSRP vs $1,445 MSRP).
✅Delivers 1012.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 100.4 vs 9.0 PassMark/$ ($130 MSRP vs $1,445 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 105W, a 40W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 25 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2660 v3, which brings 10 cores / 20 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon E5-2660 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅+212.5% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 10 cores / 20 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 0.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (13,039 vs 13,050).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 9.0 vs 100.4 PassMark/$ ($1,445 MSRP vs $130 MSRP).
❌61.5% higher power demand at 105W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 3 5300G better than Xeon E5-2660 v3?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2660 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 3 5300G is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 3 5300G is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.9% 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 3 5300G is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Ryzen 3 5300G is the better buy right now. Ryzen 3 5300G comes in $1,315 cheaper on MSRP at $130 MSRP versus $1,445 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 1012.5% better value on MSRP (100.4 vs 9.0 PassMark/$), 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 5300G makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2014) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 10/20. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Ryzen 3 5300G vs Xeon E5-2660 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Ryzen 3 5300G

The Ryzen 3 5300G is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 13 April 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Cezanne (2021−2025) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 13,050 points. Launch price was $149.

Xeon E5-2660 v3

The Xeon E5-2660 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 13,039 points. Launch price was $800.

⚡

Processing Power

The Ryzen 3 5300G packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2660 v3 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon E5-2660 v3 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 3 5300G versus 3.3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2660 v3 — a 24% clock advantage for the Ryzen 3 5300G (base: 4 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Ryzen 3 5300G uses the Cezanne (2021−2025) architecture (7 nm), while the Xeon E5-2660 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 3 5300G scores 13,050 against the Xeon E5-2660 v3's 13,039 — a 0.1% lead for the Ryzen 3 5300G. L3 cache: 8 MB on the Ryzen 3 5300G vs 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2660 v3.

Feature	Ryzen 3 5300G	Xeon E5-2660 v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	10 / 20+150%
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+27%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	4 GHz+54%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB	25 MB (total)+213%
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+100%	256K (per core)
Process	7 nm-68%	22 nm
Architecture	Cezanne (2021−2025)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	13,050	13,039

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 3 5300G uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-2660 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Ryzen 3 5300G	Xeon E5-2660 v3
Socket	AM4	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	—	768 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Ryzen 3 5300G) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E5-2660 v3). Primary use case: Xeon E5-2660 v3 targets Server.

Feature	Ryzen 3 5300G	Xeon E5-2660 v3
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	Yes
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Server

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 3 5300G was priced at $130, while the Xeon E5-2660 v3 came in at $1445. On launch pricing ($130 vs $1445), Ryzen 3 5300G was $1315 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 3 5300G delivers 100.4 pts/$ vs 9.0 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2660 v3 — making the Ryzen 3 5300G the 167% better value option.

Feature	Ryzen 3 5300G	Xeon E5-2660 v3
MSRP	$130-91%	$1445
Performance per Dollar	100.4+1016%	9.0
Release Date	2021	2014

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