Ryzen 5 1500X vs Ryzen 7 3700X

AMD

Ryzen 5 1500X

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2017
Ryzen family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 3700X

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2019
Ryzen family
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Ryzen 5 1500X 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.

Ryzen 5 1500X 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.

Ryzen 5 1500X 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.

Ryzen 5 1500X

2017

Why buy it

  • Costs $140 less on MSRP ($189 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 7 3700X.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 3700X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (9,074 vs 22,430).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 32 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 48.0 vs 68.2 PassMark/$ ($189 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Ryzen 7 3700X

2019

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +67.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).
  • Delivers 42.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 68.2 vs 48.0 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $189 MSRP).
  • 20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • 74.1% HIGHER MSRP
    $329 MSRPvs$189 MSRP
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 1500X.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 3700X better than Ryzen 5 1500X?
Yes. Ryzen 7 3700X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 67.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 147.2% 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 67.4% 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 147.2% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).
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 74.1% more expensive on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $189 MSRP, and it still gives you a 67.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 42.0% better value on MSRP (68.2 vs 48.0 PassMark/$), 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 7 3700X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2017), 100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Ryzen 5 1500X vs Ryzen 7 3700X Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Ryzen 5 1500X

The Ryzen 5 1500X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 11 April 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Zen (2017−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 9,074 points. Launch price was $189.

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 Ryzen 5 1500X packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 7 3700X has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Ryzen 5 1500X versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X — a 17.3% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 3700X (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Ryzen 5 1500X uses the Zen (2017−2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 1500X scores 9,074 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 22,430 — a 84.8% lead for the Ryzen 7 3700X. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 1500X vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X.

FeatureRyzen 5 1500XRyzen 7 3700X
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
8 / 16+100%
Boost Clock
3.7 GHz
4.4 GHz+19%
Base Clock
3.5 GHz
3.6 GHz+3%
L3 Cache
16 MB (total)
32 MB+100%
L2 Cache
512K (per core)
512K (per core)
Process
14 nm
7 nm, 12 nm-50%
Architecture
Zen (2017−2020)
Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark
9,074
22,430+147%
Cinebench R23 Multi
4,641
Geekbench 6 Single
1,120
Geekbench 6 Multi
3,700
🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the AM4 socket with PCIe 3.0. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Ryzen 5 1500X versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 3700X — the Ryzen 7 3700X supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 7 3700X supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Ryzen 5 1500X) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 3700X) — the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A320,B350,X370,B450,X470 (Ryzen 5 1500X) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 7 3700X).

FeatureRyzen 5 1500XRyzen 7 3700X
Socket
AM4
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
DDR4-3200+20%
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB
128 GB+100%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
24+20%
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (Ryzen 5 1500X) / not specified (Ryzen 7 3700X). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 1500X targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 1500X rivals Core i5-7500.

FeatureRyzen 5 1500XRyzen 7 3700X
Integrated GPU
No
No
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
Target Use
Gaming
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 5 1500X was priced at $189, while the Ryzen 7 3700X came in at $329. On launch pricing ($189 vs $329), Ryzen 5 1500X was $140 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 1500X delivers 48.0 pts/$ vs 68.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 3700X — making the Ryzen 7 3700X the 34.7% better value option.

FeatureRyzen 5 1500XRyzen 7 3700X
MSRP
$189-43%
$329
Performance per Dollar
48.0
68.2+42%
Release Date
2017
2019

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