Ryzen 5 8500G vs Xeon E5-2697A v4

Ryzen 5 8500G vs Xeon E5-2697A v4 Performance Spectrum

Ryzen 5 8500G

6 / 12

21,481

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Xeon E5-2697A v4

16 / 32

21,621

+0.7%

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 E5-2697A 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.

Ryzen 5 8500G vs Xeon E5-2697A 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 8500G

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $2,712 less on MSRP ($179 MSRP vs $2,891 MSRP).
✅Delivers 1504.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 120.0 vs 7.5 PassMark/$ ($179 MSRP vs $2,891 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 145W, a 80W reduction.
✅Newer platform on AM5 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (21,481 vs 21,621).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 40 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2697A v4, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads.

Xeon E5-2697A v4

2016

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅+150% larger total L3 cache (40 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 8500G across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.5 vs 120.0 PassMark/$ ($2,891 MSRP vs $179 MSRP).
❌123.1% higher power demand at 145W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2011 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 E5-2697A v4?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2697A v4 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 streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2697A v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 150% larger total L3 cache (40 MB vs 16 MB).

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 $2,712 cheaper on MSRP at $179 MSRP versus $2,891 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2697A v4 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.7% better PassMark. It is also 1504.6% better value on MSRP (120.0 vs 7.5 PassMark/$), 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 2016) and a healthier platform with AM5 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Ryzen 5 8500G vs Xeon E5-2697A v4 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 E5-2697A v4

The Xeon E5-2697A 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 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 40 MB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 145 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 21,621 points. Launch price was $2,891.

⚡

Processing Power

The Ryzen 5 8500G packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-2697A v4 offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Xeon E5-2697A v4 has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Ryzen 5 8500G versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2697A v4 — a 32.6% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 8500G (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Ryzen 5 8500G uses the Phoenix2 (2024) architecture (4 nm), while the Xeon E5-2697A v4 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 8500G scores 21,481 against the Xeon E5-2697A v4's 21,621 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon E5-2697A v4. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 8500G vs 40 MB on the Xeon E5-2697A v4.

Feature	Ryzen 5 8500G	Xeon E5-2697A v4
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	16 / 32+167%
Boost Clock	5 GHz+39%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+35%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)	40 MB+150%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	4 MB+300%
Process	4 nm-71%	14 nm
Architecture	Phoenix2 (2024)	Broadwell (2015−2019)
PassMark	21,481	21,621
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 E5-2697A v4 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Ryzen 5 8500G	Xeon E5-2697A v4
Socket	AM5	LGA2011
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 E5-2697A v4). The Ryzen 5 8500G includes integrated graphics (Radeon 740M), while the Xeon E5-2697A v4 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 8500G targets General Use. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 8500G rivals Core i5-13400.

Feature	Ryzen 5 8500G	Xeon E5-2697A v4
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Radeon 740M	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
Virtualization	AMD-V	—
Target Use	General Use	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 5 8500G was priced at $179, while the Xeon E5-2697A v4 came in at $2891. On launch pricing ($179 vs $2891), Ryzen 5 8500G was $2712 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 8500G delivers 120.0 pts/$ vs 7.5 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2697A v4 — making the Ryzen 5 8500G the 176.5% better value option.

Feature	Ryzen 5 8500G	Xeon E5-2697A v4
MSRP	$179-94%	$2891
Performance per Dollar	120.0+1500%	7.5
Release Date	2024	2016

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