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 5600

2022

Why buy it

✅+66.2% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 19 MB).
✅Costs $579 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $778 MSRP).
✅Delivers 274.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 108.3 vs 28.9 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $778 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 165W, a 100W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W-2255 across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (21,550 vs 22,504).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon W-2255, which brings 10 cores / 20 threads.

Xeon W-2255

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +17.2% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 10 cores / 20 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (19 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 28.9 vs 108.3 PassMark/$ ($778 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
❌153.8% higher power demand at 165W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 5600.

Ryzen 5 5600

2022

Xeon W-2255

2019

Why buy it

✅+66.2% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 19 MB).
✅Costs $579 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $778 MSRP).
✅Delivers 274.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 108.3 vs 28.9 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $778 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 165W, a 100W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +17.2% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 10 cores / 20 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W-2255 across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (21,550 vs 22,504).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon W-2255, which brings 10 cores / 20 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (19 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 28.9 vs 108.3 PassMark/$ ($778 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
❌153.8% higher power demand at 165W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 5600.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W-2255 better than Ryzen 5 5600?

Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. Xeon W-2255 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 5 5600 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 W-2255 is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 17.2% more average FPS across 3 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon W-2255 is the better fit. You are getting 4.4% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads.

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

Xeon W-2255 is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 5600 makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Xeon W-2255 is 291.0% more expensive on MSRP at $778 MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it gives you a 17.2% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 5600 is also 274.4% better value on MSRP (108.3 vs 28.9 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

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

Ryzen 5 5600 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2019) and 66.2% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 19 MB). That makes it the safer long-term pick.

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 5600 Benchmark Check

Xeon W-2255 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Ryzen 5 5600	Xeon W-2255
1080p
low	161 FPS	184 FPS
medium	130 FPS	147 FPS
high	112 FPS	122 FPS
ultra	93 FPS	100 FPS
1440p
low	141 FPS	151 FPS
medium	113 FPS	118 FPS
high	95 FPS	97 FPS
ultra	78 FPS	80 FPS
4K
low	79 FPS	82 FPS
medium	69 FPS	69 FPS
high	55 FPS	56 FPS
ultra	44 FPS	44 FPS

Open Ryzen 5 5600 Open Xeon W-2255

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Ryzen 5 5600	Xeon W-2255
1080p
low	508 FPS	529 FPS
medium	419 FPS	443 FPS
high	351 FPS	369 FPS
ultra	310 FPS	332 FPS
1440p
low	447 FPS	459 FPS
medium	375 FPS	395 FPS
high	323 FPS	333 FPS
ultra	277 FPS	287 FPS
4K
low	313 FPS	285 FPS
medium	268 FPS	246 FPS
high	243 FPS	226 FPS
ultra	209 FPS	198 FPS

Open Ryzen 5 5600 Open Xeon W-2255

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Ryzen 5 5600	Xeon W-2255
1080p
low	539 FPS	563 FPS
medium	526 FPS	563 FPS
high	483 FPS	563 FPS
ultra	414 FPS	563 FPS
1440p
low	539 FPS	563 FPS
medium	434 FPS	563 FPS
high	396 FPS	563 FPS
ultra	339 FPS	563 FPS
4K
low	371 FPS	563 FPS
medium	298 FPS	530 FPS
high	255 FPS	470 FPS
ultra	197 FPS	394 FPS

Open Ryzen 5 5600 Open Xeon W-2255

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Ryzen 5 5600	Xeon W-2255
1080p
low	539 FPS	563 FPS
medium	539 FPS	563 FPS
high	539 FPS	563 FPS
ultra	539 FPS	563 FPS
1440p
low	539 FPS	563 FPS
medium	539 FPS	563 FPS
high	539 FPS	563 FPS
ultra	493 FPS	563 FPS
4K
low	501 FPS	563 FPS
medium	448 FPS	563 FPS
high	398 FPS	559 FPS
ultra	349 FPS	437 FPS

Open Ryzen 5 5600 Open Xeon W-2255

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen 5 5600 and Xeon W-2255

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 W-2255

The Xeon W-2255 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 19.25 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 22,504 points. Launch price was $800.

⚡

Processing Power

The Ryzen 5 5600 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon W-2255 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon W-2255 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 versus 4.7 GHz on the Xeon W-2255 — a 6.6% clock advantage for the Xeon W-2255 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Ryzen 5 5600 is built on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 5600 scores 21,550 against the Xeon W-2255's 22,504 — a 4.3% lead for the Xeon W-2255. L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600 vs 19.25 MB on the Xeon W-2255.

Feature	Ryzen 5 5600	Xeon W-2255
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	10 / 20+67%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.7 GHz+7%
Base Clock	3.5 GHz	3.7 GHz+6%
L3 Cache	32 MB (total)+66%	19.25 MB
L2 Cache	512K (per core)	—
Process	7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Vermeer (2020−2025)	—
PassMark	21,550	22,504+4%
Cinebench R23 Multi	11,077	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,052	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,600	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 5 5600 uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon W-2255 uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Ryzen 5 5600	Xeon W-2255
Socket	AM4	LGA2066
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	24	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600) / not specified (Xeon W-2255). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop.

Feature	Ryzen 5 5600	Xeon W-2255
Integrated GPU	No	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	AMD-V	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Ryzen 5 5600 launched at $199 MSRP, while the Xeon W-2255 debuted at $778. On MSRP ($199 vs $778), the Ryzen 5 5600 is $579 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 5600 delivers 108.3 pts/$ vs 28.9 pts/$ for the Xeon W-2255 — making the Ryzen 5 5600 the 115.7% better value option.