Ryzen 5 5600 vs Xeon E5-2687W v3

CPU

GPU

Ryzen 5 5600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

Ryzen family

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Xeon E5-2687W v3

10 Cores20 Thrd160 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2014

Similar parts

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Ryzen 5 5600 vs Xeon E5-2687W v3 Performance Spectrum

Ryzen 5 5600

6 / 12

21,550

+48.2%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Xeon E5-2687W v3

10 / 20

14,538

0.0%

Core i7-8569U

Core i5-1155G7

Core i7-1250U

Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition

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 5600 vs Xeon E5-2687W 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 5600 vs Xeon E5-2687W 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 5600

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +16.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+28% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Costs $1,942 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $2,141 MSRP).
✅Delivers 1494.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 108.3 vs 6.8 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $2,141 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 160W, a 95W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2687W v3, which brings 10 cores / 20 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-2687W v3

2014

Why buy it

✅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

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 5600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (14,538 vs 21,550).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.8 vs 108.3 PassMark/$ ($2,141 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
❌146.2% higher power demand at 160W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 5600 better than Xeon E5-2687W v3?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2687W v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 5 5600 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 5600 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 16.5% 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 5600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 48.2% better PassMark, 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 5600 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 5600 comes in $1,942 cheaper on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $2,141 MSRP, and it still gives you a 16.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 1494.8% better value on MSRP (108.3 vs 6.8 PassMark/$), 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 5600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2014), 28% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 25 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 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 5600 vs Xeon E5-2687W v3 Technical Specifications

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

Ryzen 5 5600

The Ryzen 5 5600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 21,550 points. Launch price was $299.

Xeon E5-2687W v3

The Xeon E5-2687W 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 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 160 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 14,538 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Ryzen 5 5600 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-2687W v3 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon E5-2687W v3 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2687W v3 — a 22.8% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Ryzen 5 5600 uses the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture (7 nm), while the Xeon E5-2687W v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 5600 scores 21,550 against the Xeon E5-2687W v3's 14,538 — a 38.9% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600. L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600 vs 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2687W v3.

Feature	Ryzen 5 5600	Xeon E5-2687W v3
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	10 / 20+67%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+26%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+13%	3.1 GHz
L3 Cache	32 MB (total)+28%	25 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+100%	256K (per core)
Process	7 nm-68%	22 nm
Architecture	Vermeer (2020−2025)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	21,550+48%	14,538
Cinebench R23 Multi	11,077	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,052	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,600	—

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Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 5 5600 uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-2687W v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600 versus DDR4-2133 on the Xeon E5-2687W v3 — the Ryzen 5 5600 supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-2687W v3 supports up to 768 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Ryzen 5 5600) vs 4 (Xeon E5-2687W v3). PCIe lanes: 24 (Ryzen 5 5600) vs 40 (Xeon E5-2687W v3) — the Xeon E5-2687W v3 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: B550,X570,B450,X470,A520 (Ryzen 5 5600) and Intel X99,Intel C612 (Xeon E5-2687W v3).

Feature	Ryzen 5 5600	Xeon E5-2687W 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%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600) / not specified (Xeon E5-2687W v3). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop.

Feature	Ryzen 5 5600	Xeon E5-2687W v3
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	AMD-V	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 5 5600 was priced at $199, while the Xeon E5-2687W v3 came in at $2141. On launch pricing ($199 vs $2141), Ryzen 5 5600 was $1942 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 5600 delivers 108.3 pts/$ vs 6.8 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2687W v3 — making the Ryzen 5 5600 the 176.4% better value option.

Feature	Ryzen 5 5600	Xeon E5-2687W v3
MSRP	$199-91%	$2141
Performance per Dollar	108.3+1493%	6.8
Release Date	2022	2014

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