Ryzen 5 3600
Xeon E5-2687W v4
Ryzen 5 3600 vs Xeon E5-2687W v4 Performance Spectrum
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 E5-2687W v4 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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Among Us
Apex Legends
ARC Raiders
Baldur's Gate 3
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Ryzen 5 3600 vs Xeon E5-2687W v4: 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
2019Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +7.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅Costs $1,942 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $2,141 MSRP).
- ✅Delivers 978.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 88.9 vs 8.2 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $2,141 MSRP).
- ✅Draws 65W instead of 160W, a 95W reduction.
- ✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Xeon E5-2687W v4.
Trade-offs
- ❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (1,898 vs 8,255).
- ❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2687W v4, which brings 12 cores / 24 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.
Xeon E5-2687W v4
2016Why buy it
- ✅+334.9% higher Geekbench multi-core.
- ✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 12 cores / 24 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 24.
- ✅66.7% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 3600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.2 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($2,141 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
- ❌146.2% higher power demand at 160W vs 65W.
- ❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.
Quick Answers
So, is Ryzen 5 3600 better than Xeon E5-2687W v4?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 5 3600 vs Xeon E5-2687W v4 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 E5-2687W v4
The Xeon E5-2687W v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 160 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 17,640 points. Launch price was $2,141.
Processing Power
The Ryzen 5 3600 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-2687W v4 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Xeon E5-2687W v4 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2687W v4 — a 18.2% 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 E5-2687W v4 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 3600 scores 17,685 against the Xeon E5-2687W v4's 17,640 — a 0.3% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,295 vs 1,063, a 19.7% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,898 vs 8,255 (125.2% advantage for the Xeon E5-2687W v4). L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600 vs 30 MB on the Xeon E5-2687W v4.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 3600 | Xeon E5-2687W v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 12 / 24+100% |
| Boost Clock | 4.2 GHz+20% | 3.5 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.6 GHz+20% | 3 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 32 MB (total)+7% | 30 MB |
| L2 Cache | 512K (per core)+16967% | 3 MB |
| Process | 7 nm, 12 nm-50% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Matisse (2019−2020) | Broadwell (2015−2019) |
| PassMark | 17,685 | 17,640 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 9,500 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,295+22% | 1,063 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,898 | 8,255+335% |
Memory & Platform
The Ryzen 5 3600 uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-2687W v4 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600 versus DDR4-2400 on the Xeon E5-2687W v4 — the Ryzen 5 3600 supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-2687W v4 supports up to 1536 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 1100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Ryzen 5 3600) vs 4 (Xeon E5-2687W v4). PCIe lanes: 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) vs 40 (Xeon E5-2687W v4) — the Xeon E5-2687W v4 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600) and C610,X99 (Xeon E5-2687W v4).
| Feature | Ryzen 5 3600 | Xeon E5-2687W v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM4 | LGA2011 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0+33% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-3200+33% | DDR4-2400 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 1536 GB+1100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 4+100% |
| ECC Support | No | Yes |
| PCIe Lanes | 24 | 40+67% |
Advanced Features
Both support Yes virtualization. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 3600 | Xeon E5-2687W v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | Yes | — |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | Yes | Yes |
| Target Use | Gaming/Budget Workstation | — |
Value Analysis
At launch, the Ryzen 5 3600 was priced at $199, while the Xeon E5-2687W v4 came in at $2141. On launch pricing ($199 vs $2141), Ryzen 5 3600 was $1942 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 3600 delivers 88.9 pts/$ vs 8.2 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2687W v4 — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 166.1% better value option.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 3600 | Xeon E5-2687W v4 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $199-91% | $2141 |
| Performance per Dollar | 88.9+984% | 8.2 |
| Release Date | 2019 | 2016 |
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