Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE vs Xeon E5-2686 V3

AMD

Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2024
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Xeon E5-2686 V3

18 Cores36 Thrd120 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2014
Similar parts
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Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE vs Xeon E5-2686 V3 Performance Spectrum

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 PRO 5655GE vs Xeon E5-2686 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 PRO 5655GE vs Xeon E5-2686 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 PRO 5655GE

2024

Why buy it

  • Costs $1,354 less on MSRP ($146 MSRP vs $1,500 MSRP).
  • Delivers 928.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 124.4 vs 12.1 PassMark/$ ($146 MSRP vs $1,500 MSRP).
  • Draws 65W instead of 120W, a 55W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 45 MB).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2686 V3, which brings 18 cores / 36 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-2686 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, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 0.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (18,148 vs 18,169).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.1 vs 124.4 PassMark/$ ($1,500 MSRP vs $146 MSRP).
  • 84.6% higher power demand at 120W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE better than Xeon E5-2686 V3?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2686 V3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE 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 PRO 5655GE is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.1% 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 PRO 5655GE is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE comes in $1,354 cheaper on MSRP at $146 MSRP versus $1,500 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 928.6% better value on MSRP (124.4 vs 12.1 PassMark/$), 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 PRO 5655GE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2014) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 18/36. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE vs Xeon E5-2686 V3 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE

The Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 May 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Cezanne (2021−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 18,169 points. Launch price was $299.

Intel

Xeon E5-2686 V3

The Xeon E5-2686 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 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 45 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4 2133 MHz Quad-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 18,148 points. Launch price was $800.

Processing Power

The Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-2686 V3 offers 18 cores / 36 threads — the Xeon E5-2686 V3 has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2686 V3 — a 22.8% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE uses the Cezanne (2021−2025) architecture (7 nm), while the Xeon E5-2686 V3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE scores 18,169 against the Xeon E5-2686 V3's 18,148 — a 0.1% lead for the Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE. L3 cache: 16 MB on the Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE vs 45 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2686 V3.

FeatureRyzen 5 PRO 5655GEXeon E5-2686 V3
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
18 / 36+200%
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz+26%
3.5 GHz
Base Clock
3.4 GHz+70%
2 GHz
L3 Cache
16 MB
45 MB (total)+181%
L2 Cache
512 kB (per core)+100%
256K (per core)
Process
7 nm-68%
22 nm
Architecture
Cezanne (2021−2025)
Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark
18,169
18,148
Cinebench R23 Multi
10,000
Geekbench 6 Single
1,033
Geekbench 6 Multi
8,649
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Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2686 V3 uses LGA2011-3 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureRyzen 5 PRO 5655GEXeon E5-2686 V3
Socket
AM4
LGA2011-3
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity
768 GB
RAM Channels
4
ECC Support
Yes
PCIe Lanes
40
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE) / Yes (Xeon E5-2686 V3).

FeatureRyzen 5 PRO 5655GEXeon E5-2686 V3
Integrated GPU
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
Yes
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE was priced at $146, while the Xeon E5-2686 V3 came in at $1500. On launch pricing ($146 vs $1500), Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE was $1354 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE delivers 124.4 pts/$ vs 12.1 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2686 V3 — making the Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE the 164.6% better value option.

FeatureRyzen 5 PRO 5655GEXeon E5-2686 V3
MSRP
$146-90%
$1500
Performance per Dollar
124.4+928%
12.1
Release Date
2024
2014

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