Ryzen 5 8500G vs Xeon E5-2696 V3

Ryzen 5 8500G vs Xeon E5-2696 V3 Performance Spectrum

Ryzen 5 8500G

6 / 12

21,481

+0.2%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Xeon E5-2696 V3

18 / 36

21,435

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 8500G vs Xeon E5-2696 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 8500G vs Xeon E5-2696 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 8500G

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 65W instead of 145W, a 80W reduction.
✅Newer platform on AM5 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011-3 and DDR4.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (14 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon 740M, while Xeon E5-2696 V3 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 45 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2696 V3, which brings 18 cores / 36 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $179 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2696 V3 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-2696 V3

2014

Why buy it

✅+181.3% larger total L3 cache (45 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 18 cores / 36 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 8500G across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (21,435 vs 21,481).
❌123.1% higher power demand at 145W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2011-3 with DDR4, while Ryzen 5 8500G moves to AM5 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 5 8500G can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 8500G better than Xeon E5-2696 V3?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2696 V3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 5 8500G 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 8500G is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.6% 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 8500G is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Ryzen 5 8500G is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 8500G comes in at an unclear MSRP at $179 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (120.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 8500G makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2014), a healthier platform with AM5 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011-3, and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 18/36. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Ryzen 5 8500G vs Xeon E5-2696 V3 Technical Specifications

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

Ryzen 5 8500G

The Ryzen 5 8500G is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 8 January 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Phoenix2 (2024) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 21,481 points. Launch price was $229.

Xeon E5-2696 V3

The Xeon E5-2696 V3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 45 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 145 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4 2133 MHz Quad-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 21,435 points. Launch price was $800.

⚡

Processing Power

The Ryzen 5 8500G packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-2696 V3 offers 18 cores / 36 threads — the Xeon E5-2696 V3 has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Ryzen 5 8500G versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-2696 V3 — a 27.3% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 8500G (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Ryzen 5 8500G uses the Phoenix2 (2024) architecture (4 nm), while the Xeon E5-2696 V3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 8500G scores 21,481 against the Xeon E5-2696 V3's 21,435 — a 0.2% lead for the Ryzen 5 8500G. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 8500G vs 45 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2696 V3.

Feature	Ryzen 5 8500G	Xeon E5-2696 V3
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	18 / 36+200%
Boost Clock	5 GHz+32%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+52%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)	45 MB (total)+181%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	4 nm-82%	22 nm
Architecture	Phoenix2 (2024)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	21,481	21,435
Cinebench R23 Multi	9,310	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,500	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	10,000	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 5 8500G uses the AM5 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-2696 V3 uses LGA2011-3 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Ryzen 5 8500G	Xeon E5-2696 V3
Socket	AM5	LGA2011-3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5200	—
Max RAM Capacity	256 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	14	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (Ryzen 5 8500G) / not specified (Xeon E5-2696 V3). The Ryzen 5 8500G includes integrated graphics (Radeon 740M), while the Xeon E5-2696 V3 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 8500G targets General Use. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 8500G rivals Core i5-13400.