Ryzen 5 3500X vs Xeon E5-2660 v3

CPU

GPU

Ryzen 5 3500X

6 Cores6 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2019

Ryzen family

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Xeon E5-2660 v3

10 Cores20 Thrd105 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2014

Similar parts

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Ryzen 5 3500X vs Xeon E5-2660 v3 Performance Spectrum

Ryzen 5 3500X

6 / 6

13,165

+1.0%

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 5 3500X 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 5 3500X 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 5 3500X

2019

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅+28% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Costs $1,290 less on MSRP ($155 MSRP vs $1,445 MSRP).
✅Delivers 841.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 84.9 vs 9.0 PassMark/$ ($155 MSRP vs $1,445 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 105W, a 40W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2660 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌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

✅Better for gaming: +13.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 10 cores / 20 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 24.
✅66.7% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (13,039 vs 13,165).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 9.0 vs 84.9 PassMark/$ ($1,445 MSRP vs $155 MSRP).
❌61.5% higher power demand at 105W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 3500X 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 5 3500X 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 5 3500X is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 28% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 25 MB).

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

Ryzen 5 3500X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 3500X comes in $1,290 cheaper on MSRP at $155 MSRP versus $1,445 MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2660 v3 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 13.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 841.3% better value on MSRP (84.9 vs 9.0 PassMark/$), 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 5 3500X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2014), 28% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 25 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 6 threads instead of 10/20. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Ryzen 5 3500X vs Xeon E5-2660 v3 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 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.

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Processing Power

The Ryzen 5 3500X packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Xeon E5-2660 v3 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon E5-2660 v3 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3500X versus 3.3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2660 v3 — a 21.6% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 3500X (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Ryzen 5 3500X uses the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Xeon E5-2660 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 3500X scores 13,165 against the Xeon E5-2660 v3's 13,039 — a 1% lead for the Ryzen 5 3500X. L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3500X vs 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2660 v3.

Feature	Ryzen 5 3500X	Xeon E5-2660 v3
Cores / Threads	6 / 6	10 / 20+67%
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz+24%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+38%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	32 MB (total)+28%	25 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+100%	256K (per core)
Process	7 nm, 12 nm-68%	22 nm
Architecture	Matisse (2019−2020)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	13,165	13,039

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Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 5 3500X 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. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3500X versus DDR4-2133 on the Xeon E5-2660 v3 — the Ryzen 5 3500X supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-2660 v3 supports up to 768 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Ryzen 5 3500X) vs 4 (Xeon E5-2660 v3). PCIe lanes: 24 (Ryzen 5 3500X) vs 40 (Xeon E5-2660 v3) — the Xeon E5-2660 v3 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series (Ryzen 5 3500X) and Intel X99,Intel C612 (Xeon E5-2660 v3).

Feature	Ryzen 5 3500X	Xeon E5-2660 v3
Socket	AM4	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200+50%	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	768 GB+500%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	24	40+67%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Ryzen 5 3500X) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E5-2660 v3). Primary use case: Xeon E5-2660 v3 targets Server.

Feature	Ryzen 5 3500X	Xeon E5-2660 v3
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	Yes
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Server

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 5 3500X was priced at $155, while the Xeon E5-2660 v3 came in at $1445. On launch pricing ($155 vs $1445), Ryzen 5 3500X was $1290 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 3500X delivers 84.9 pts/$ vs 9.0 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2660 v3 — making the Ryzen 5 3500X the 161.6% better value option.

Feature	Ryzen 5 3500X	Xeon E5-2660 v3
MSRP	$155-89%	$1445
Performance per Dollar	84.9+843%	9.0
Release Date	2019	2014

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