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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,790 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $1,989 MSRP).
✅Delivers 260.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 88.9 vs 24.6 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $1,989 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 270W, a 205W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Xeon w7-3445.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon w7-3445 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (17,685 vs 48,991).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (32 MB vs 53 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon w7-3445, which brings 20 cores / 40 threads and 112 PCIe lanes.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Xeon w7-3445 moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Xeon w7-3445

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +23.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+64.1% larger total L3 cache (53 MB vs 32 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 20 cores / 40 threads, plus 112 PCIe lanes vs 24.
✅Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅366.7% more PCIe lanes (112 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 24.6 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($1,989 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
❌315.4% higher power demand at 270W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Xeon w7-3445

2023

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,790 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $1,989 MSRP).
✅Delivers 260.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 88.9 vs 24.6 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $1,989 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 270W, a 205W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Xeon w7-3445.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +23.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+64.1% larger total L3 cache (53 MB vs 32 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 20 cores / 40 threads, plus 112 PCIe lanes vs 24.
✅Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅366.7% more PCIe lanes (112 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon w7-3445 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (17,685 vs 48,991).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (32 MB vs 53 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon w7-3445, which brings 20 cores / 40 threads and 112 PCIe lanes.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Xeon w7-3445 moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 24.6 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($1,989 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
❌315.4% higher power demand at 270W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon w7-3445 better than Ryzen 5 3600?

Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. Xeon w7-3445 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 5 3600 is the better mainstream desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and day-to-day practicality.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon w7-3445 is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 23.9% 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, Xeon w7-3445 is the better fit. You are getting 177% better PassMark, backed by 20 cores and 40 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 64.1% larger total L3 cache (53 MB vs 32 MB).

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

Xeon w7-3445 is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 3600 makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Xeon w7-3445 is 899.5% more expensive on MSRP at $1,989 MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it gives you a 23.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 3600 is also 260.8% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 24.6 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Xeon w7-3445 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2019), a healthier platform with LGA4677 and DDR5 instead of AM4, 64.1% larger total L3 cache (53 MB vs 32 MB), more multi-core headroom with 20 cores / 40 threads instead of 6/12, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Ryzen 5 3600 Benchmark Check

Xeon w7-3445 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Ryzen 5 3600	Xeon w7-3445
1080p
low	200 FPS	311 FPS
medium	161 FPS	301 FPS
high	135 FPS	242 FPS
ultra	106 FPS	203 FPS
1440p
low	154 FPS	270 FPS
medium	119 FPS	233 FPS
high	96 FPS	175 FPS
ultra	75 FPS	154 FPS
4K
low	70 FPS	183 FPS
medium	58 FPS	157 FPS
high	46 FPS	118 FPS
ultra	36 FPS	106 FPS

Open Ryzen 5 3600 Open Xeon w7-3445

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Ryzen 5 3600	Xeon w7-3445
1080p
low	442 FPS	677 FPS
medium	404 FPS	587 FPS
high	332 FPS	477 FPS
ultra	295 FPS	423 FPS
1440p
low	420 FPS	547 FPS
medium	359 FPS	484 FPS
high	303 FPS	411 FPS
ultra	263 FPS	338 FPS
4K
low	297 FPS	322 FPS
medium	259 FPS	285 FPS
high	230 FPS	264 FPS
ultra	201 FPS	232 FPS

Open Ryzen 5 3600 Open Xeon w7-3445

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Ryzen 5 3600	Xeon w7-3445
1080p
low	442 FPS	1025 FPS
medium	442 FPS	1045 FPS
high	442 FPS	967 FPS
ultra	442 FPS	829 FPS
1440p
low	442 FPS	994 FPS
medium	442 FPS	880 FPS
high	442 FPS	798 FPS
ultra	432 FPS	656 FPS
4K
low	442 FPS	593 FPS
medium	361 FPS	511 FPS
high	305 FPS	458 FPS
ultra	242 FPS	395 FPS

Open Ryzen 5 3600 Open Xeon w7-3445

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Ryzen 5 3600	Xeon w7-3445
1080p
low	442 FPS	1225 FPS
medium	442 FPS	1015 FPS
high	442 FPS	981 FPS
ultra	442 FPS	851 FPS
1440p
low	442 FPS	1044 FPS
medium	442 FPS	903 FPS
high	442 FPS	779 FPS
ultra	442 FPS	656 FPS
4K
low	442 FPS	777 FPS
medium	442 FPS	676 FPS
high	413 FPS	583 FPS
ultra	357 FPS	437 FPS

Open Ryzen 5 3600 Open Xeon w7-3445

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen 5 3600 and Xeon w7-3445

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 w7-3445

The Xeon w7-3445 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 February 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. It features 20 cores and 40 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 52.5 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 270 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 48,991 points. Launch price was $1,989.

⚡

Processing Power

The Ryzen 5 3600 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon w7-3445 offers 20 cores / 40 threads — the Xeon w7-3445 has 14 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 versus 4.8 GHz on the Xeon w7-3445 — a 13.3% clock advantage for the Xeon w7-3445 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Ryzen 5 3600 uses the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Xeon w7-3445 uses Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 3600 scores 17,685 against the Xeon w7-3445's 48,991 — a 93.9% lead for the Xeon w7-3445. L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600 vs 52.5 MB on the Xeon w7-3445.

Feature	Ryzen 5 3600	Xeon w7-3445
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	20 / 40+233%
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz	4.8 GHz+14%
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+38%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	32 MB (total)	52.5 MB+64%
L2 Cache	512K (per core)	2 MB (per core)+300%
Process	7 nm, 12 nm	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Matisse (2019−2020)	Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)
PassMark	17,685	48,991+177%
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 w7-3445 uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600 versus 4800 on the Xeon w7-3445 — the Xeon w7-3445 supports 199.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon w7-3445 supports up to 4096 of RAM compared to 128 GB — 187.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Ryzen 5 3600) vs 8 (Xeon w7-3445). PCIe lanes: 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) vs 112 (Xeon w7-3445) — the Xeon w7-3445 offers 88 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600) and W790 (Xeon w7-3445).

Feature	Ryzen 5 3600	Xeon w7-3445
Socket	AM4	LGA4677
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	4800+119900%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+3276700%	4096
RAM Channels	2	8+300%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	24	112+367%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Xeon w7-3445 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: Yes (Ryzen 5 3600) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon w7-3445). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400; Xeon w7-3445 rivals Threadripper PRO 7965WX.

Feature	Ryzen 5 3600	Xeon w7-3445
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	—	None
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	Yes	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming/Budget Workstation	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Ryzen 5 3600 launched at $199 MSRP, while the Xeon w7-3445 debuted at $1989. On MSRP ($199 vs $1989), the Ryzen 5 3600 is $1790 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 3600 delivers 88.9 pts/$ vs 24.6 pts/$ for the Xeon w7-3445 — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 113.2% better value option.