Ryzen 5 3600 vs Xeon E5-1680 v2

CPU

GPU

Ryzen 5 3600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019

Ryzen family

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Xeon E5-1680 v2

8 Cores16 Thrd130 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2013

Similar parts

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Ryzen 5 3600 vs Xeon E5-1680 v2 Performance Spectrum

Ryzen 5 3600

6 / 12

17,685

+42.7%

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Xeon E5-1680 v2

8 / 16

12,396

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 E5-1680 v2 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 E5-1680 v2: 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: +17.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+28% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Costs $1,524 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $1,723 MSRP).
✅Delivers 1135.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 88.9 vs 7.2 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $1,723 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 130W, a 65W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-1680 v2, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-1680 v2

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 24.
✅66.7% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 3600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (8,579 vs 9,500).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.2 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($1,723 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
❌100% higher power demand at 130W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 3600 better than Xeon E5-1680 v2?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1680 v2 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 17.6% 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 10.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 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 3600 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 3600 comes in $1,524 cheaper on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $1,723 MSRP, and it still gives you a 17.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 1135.3% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 7.2 PassMark/$), 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 2013), 28% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 25 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 8/16. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Ryzen 5 3600 vs Xeon E5-1680 v2 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 E5-1680 v2

The Xeon E5-1680 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600, DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 12,396 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Ryzen 5 3600 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-1680 v2 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-1680 v2 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E5-1680 v2 — a 7.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Ryzen 5 3600 uses the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Xeon E5-1680 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 3600 scores 17,685 against the Xeon E5-1680 v2's 12,396 — a 35.2% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 9,500 vs 8,579 (10.2% advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,295 vs 750, a 53.3% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,898 vs 4,500 (81.3% advantage for the Xeon E5-1680 v2). L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600 vs 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1680 v2.

Feature	Ryzen 5 3600	Xeon E5-1680 v2
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+8%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+20%	3 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)	Ivy Bridge-EP (2013)
PassMark	17,685+43%	12,396
Cinebench R23 Multi	9,500+11%	8,579
Geekbench 6 Single	1,295+73%	750
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,898	4,500+137%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 5 3600 uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-1680 v2 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600 versus DDR3-1866 on the Xeon E5-1680 v2 — the Ryzen 5 3600 supports 71.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-1680 v2 supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Ryzen 5 3600) vs 4 (Xeon E5-1680 v2). PCIe lanes: 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) vs 40 (Xeon E5-1680 v2) — the Xeon E5-1680 v2 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600) and C602,X79 (Xeon E5-1680 v2).

Feature	Ryzen 5 3600	Xeon E5-1680 v2
Socket	AM4	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200+71%	DDR3-1866
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	256 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	24	40+67%

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Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: Yes (Ryzen 5 3600) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon E5-1680 v2). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation, Xeon E5-1680 v2 targets Server/Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400; Xeon E5-1680 v2 rivals Core i7-4960X.

Feature	Ryzen 5 3600	Xeon E5-1680 v2
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	—	None
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	Yes	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Gaming/Budget Workstation	Server/Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 5 3600 was priced at $199, while the Xeon E5-1680 v2 came in at $1723. On launch pricing ($199 vs $1723), Ryzen 5 3600 was $1524 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 3600 delivers 88.9 pts/$ vs 7.2 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-1680 v2 — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 170% better value option.

Feature	Ryzen 5 3600	Xeon E5-1680 v2
MSRP	$199-88%	$1723
Performance per Dollar	88.9+1135%	7.2
Release Date	2019	2013

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