Ryzen 5 3600 vs Xeon E5-1660

Ryzen 5 3600 vs Xeon E5-1660 Performance Spectrum

Ryzen 5 3600

6 / 12

17,685

+112.5%

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Xeon E5-1660

6 / 12

8,324

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 3600 vs Xeon E5-1660 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 3600 vs Xeon E5-1660: 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 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +48.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+113.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 15 MB).
✅Costs $881 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $1,080 MSRP).
✅Delivers 1053.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 88.9 vs 7.7 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $1,080 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 130W, a 65W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Xeon E5-1660

2012

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 3600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (8,324 vs 17,685).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (15 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.7 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($1,080 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
❌100% higher power demand at 130W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 3600 better than Xeon E5-1660?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1660 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 5 3600 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 3600 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 48.9% 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 5 3600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 112.5% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 113.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 15 MB).

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

Ryzen 5 3600 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 3600 comes in $881 cheaper on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $1,080 MSRP, and it still gives you a 48.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 1053.0% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 7.7 PassMark/$), 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 3600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2012), 113.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 15 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Ryzen 5 3600 vs Xeon E5-1660 Technical Specifications

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

Ryzen 5 3600

The Ryzen 5 3600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 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: 17,685 points. Launch price was $199.

Xeon E5-1660

The Xeon E5-1660 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 8,324 points. Launch price was $290.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Ryzen 5 3600 and Xeon E5-1660 share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E5-1660 — a 7.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Ryzen 5 3600 uses the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Xeon E5-1660 uses Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 3600 scores 17,685 against the Xeon E5-1660's 8,324 — a 72% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600. L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600 vs 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-1660.

Feature	Ryzen 5 3600	Xeon E5-1660
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+8%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+9%	3.3 GHz
L3 Cache	32 MB (total)+113%	15360 kB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	7 nm, 12 nm-78%	32 nm
Architecture	Matisse (2019−2020)	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)
PassMark	17,685+112%	8,324
Cinebench R23 Multi	9,500	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,295	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,898	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 5 3600 uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-1660 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Ryzen 5 3600	Xeon E5-1660
Socket	AM4	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+100%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	24	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: Yes (Ryzen 5 3600) / not specified (Xeon E5-1660). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

Feature	Ryzen 5 3600	Xeon E5-1660
Integrated GPU	No	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	Yes	—
Target Use	Gaming/Budget Workstation	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 5 3600 was priced at $199, while the Xeon E5-1660 came in at $1080. On launch pricing ($199 vs $1080), Ryzen 5 3600 was $881 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 3600 delivers 88.9 pts/$ vs 7.7 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-1660 — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 168.1% better value option.

Feature	Ryzen 5 3600	Xeon E5-1660
MSRP	$199-82%	$1080
Performance per Dollar	88.9+1055%	7.7
Release Date	2019	2012

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