Ryzen 5 3400G vs Xeon E3-1280 v6

Ryzen 5 3400G vs Xeon E3-1280 v6 Performance Spectrum

Ryzen 5 3400G

4 / 8

9,201

+1.2%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3995WX

Xeon E3-1280 v6

4 / 8

9,093

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 5 3400G vs Xeon E3-1280 v6 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 3400G vs Xeon E3-1280 v6: 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 3400G

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 65W instead of 72W, a 7W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $149 MSRP, while Xeon E3-1280 v6 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E3-1280 v6

2017

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 3400G across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (9,093 vs 9,201).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 3400G better than Xeon E3-1280 v6?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1280 v6 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 5 3400G 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 5 3400G is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.7% 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 5 3400G is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Ryzen 5 3400G is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 3400G comes in at an unclear MSRP at $149 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (61.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 5 3400G makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2017) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 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 3400G vs Xeon E3-1280 v6 Technical Specifications

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

Ryzen 5 3400G

The Ryzen 5 3400G is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Picasso (2019−2022) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 9,201 points. Launch price was $149.

Xeon E3-1280 v6

The Xeon E3-1280 v6 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 March 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 72 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400, DDR3L-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 9,093 points. Launch price was $612.

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Processing Power

Both the Ryzen 5 3400G and Xeon E3-1280 v6 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3400G versus 4.2 GHz on the Xeon E3-1280 v6 — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.9 GHz). The Ryzen 5 3400G uses the Picasso (2019−2022) architecture (12 nm), while the Xeon E3-1280 v6 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 3400G scores 9,201 against the Xeon E3-1280 v6's 9,093 — a 1.2% lead for the Ryzen 5 3400G. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3400G vs 8 MB on the Xeon E3-1280 v6.

Feature	Ryzen 5 3400G	Xeon E3-1280 v6
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz	4.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz	3.9 GHz+5%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	8 MB+100%
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+51100%	1 MB
Process	12 nm-14%	14 nm
Architecture	Picasso (2019−2022)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	9,201+1%	9,093

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Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 5 3400G uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1280 v6 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.