Ryzen 5 3500X vs Xeon E-2146G

Ryzen 5 3500X vs Xeon E-2146G Performance Spectrum

Ryzen 5 3500X

6 / 6

13,165

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Xeon E-2146G

6 / 12

13,240

+0.6%

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 3500X vs Xeon E-2146G 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 3500X vs Xeon E-2146G: 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 3500X

2019

Why buy it

✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Draws 65W instead of 80W, a 15W reduction.
✅50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E-2146G across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (13,165 vs 13,240).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E-2146G, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $155 MSRP, while Xeon E-2146G mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Xeon E-2146G can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Xeon E-2146G

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics P630, while Ryzen 5 3500X needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 5 3500X.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 32 MB).
❌23.1% higher power demand at 80W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E-2146G better than Ryzen 5 3500X?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E-2146G makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 5 3500X is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E-2146G is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 12.3% 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, Xeon E-2146G is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Xeon E-2146G is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 3500X is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E-2146G comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $155 MSRP, and it still gives you a 12.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 3500X is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (84.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 5 3500X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018) and 166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Ryzen 5 3500X vs Xeon E-2146G Technical Specifications

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

Ryzen 5 3500X

The Ryzen 5 3500X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 24 September 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). 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: 13,165 points. Launch price was $149.

Xeon E-2146G

The Xeon E-2146G is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 July 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 13,240 points. Launch price was $317.

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Processing Power

The Ryzen 5 3500X packs 6 cores / 6 threads, matching the Xeon E-2146G's 6 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3500X versus 4.5 GHz on the Xeon E-2146G — a 9.3% clock advantage for the Xeon E-2146G (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Ryzen 5 3500X uses the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Xeon E-2146G uses Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 3500X scores 13,165 against the Xeon E-2146G's 13,240 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon E-2146G. L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3500X vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon E-2146G.

Feature	Ryzen 5 3500X	Xeon E-2146G
Cores / Threads	6 / 6	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz	4.5 GHz+10%
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+3%	3.5 GHz
L3 Cache	32 MB (total)+167%	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	7 nm, 12 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Matisse (2019−2020)	Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019)
PassMark	13,165	13,240
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,557
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	6,385

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Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 5 3500X uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E-2146G uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3500X versus DDR4-2666 on the Xeon E-2146G — the Ryzen 5 3500X supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 24 (Ryzen 5 3500X) vs 16 (Xeon E-2146G) — the Ryzen 5 3500X offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series (Ryzen 5 3500X) and C242,C246 (Xeon E-2146G).

Feature	Ryzen 5 3500X	Xeon E-2146G
Socket	AM4	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200+20%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	24+50%	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Ryzen 5 3500X) / Yes (Xeon E-2146G). The Xeon E-2146G includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics P630), while the Ryzen 5 3500X requires a dedicated GPU.