Ryzen 7 1700 vs Xeon E5-1681 V3

CPU

GPU

Ryzen 7 1700

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2017

Ryzen family

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Xeon E5-1681 V3

10 Cores20 Thrd135 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2014

Similar parts

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Ryzen 7 1700 vs Xeon E5-1681 V3 Performance Spectrum

Ryzen 7 1700

8 / 16

14,772

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Xeon E5-1681 V3

10 / 20

14,820

+0.3%

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 7 1700 vs Xeon E5-1681 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 7 1700 vs Xeon E5-1681 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 7 1700

2017

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,449 less on MSRP ($140 MSRP vs $1,589 MSRP).
✅Delivers 1031.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 105.5 vs 9.3 PassMark/$ ($140 MSRP vs $1,589 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 135W, a 70W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Xeon E5-1681 V3.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,000 vs 1,050).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (5,000 vs 9,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 25 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-1681 V3, which brings 10 cores / 20 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-1681 V3

2014

Why buy it

✅+5% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅+56.3% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 16 MB).
✅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

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 9.3 vs 105.5 PassMark/$ ($1,589 MSRP vs $140 MSRP).
❌107.7% higher power demand at 135W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 7 1700.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-1681 V3 better than Ryzen 7 1700?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1681 V3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 7 1700 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-1681 V3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.7% 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, Xeon E5-1681 V3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 80% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 56.3% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 16 MB).

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

Xeon E5-1681 V3 is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 7 1700 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E5-1681 V3 comes in 1035.0% more expensive on MSRP at $1,589 MSRP versus $140 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 7 1700 is also 1031.3% better value on MSRP (105.5 vs 9.3 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Ryzen 7 1700 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2014). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Ryzen 7 1700 vs Xeon E5-1681 V3 Technical Specifications

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

Ryzen 7 1700

The Ryzen 7 1700 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2 March 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Zen (2017−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 16384 kB. L2 cache: 4096 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,772 points. Launch price was $329.

Xeon E5-1681 V3

The Xeon E5-1681 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 2.9 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: LGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 135 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 14,820 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Ryzen 7 1700 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E5-1681 V3 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon E5-1681 V3 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Ryzen 7 1700 versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-1681 V3 — a 5.6% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 1700 (base: 3 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Ryzen 7 1700 uses the Zen (2017−2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-1681 V3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 7 1700 scores 14,772 against the Xeon E5-1681 V3's 14,820 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon E5-1681 V3. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,000 vs 1,050, a 4.9% lead for the Xeon E5-1681 V3 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,000 vs 9,000 (57.1% advantage for the Xeon E5-1681 V3). L3 cache: 16384 kB on the Ryzen 7 1700 vs 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1681 V3.

Feature	Ryzen 7 1700	Xeon E5-1681 V3
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	10 / 20+25%
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+6%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz+3%	2.9 GHz
L3 Cache	16384 kB	25 MB (total)+56%
L2 Cache	4096 kB+1500%	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Zen (2017−2020)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	14,772	14,820
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,065	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,000	1,050+5%
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,000	9,000+80%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 7 1700 uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1681 V3 uses LGA2011-3 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Ryzen 7 1700 versus DDR4-2133 on the Xeon E5-1681 V3 — the Ryzen 7 1700 supports 25% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-1681 V3 supports up to 768 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Ryzen 7 1700) vs 4 (Xeon E5-1681 V3). PCIe lanes: 24 (Ryzen 7 1700) vs 40 (Xeon E5-1681 V3) — the Xeon E5-1681 V3 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: B350,X370,B450,X470,A520,B550,X570 (Ryzen 7 1700) and C612,X99 (Xeon E5-1681 V3).

Feature	Ryzen 7 1700	Xeon E5-1681 V3
Socket	AM4	LGA2011-3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666+25%	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 support: AMD-V (Ryzen 7 1700) vs Yes (Xeon E5-1681 V3). Primary use case: Ryzen 7 1700 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 7 1700 rivals Core i7-7700K.

Feature	Ryzen 7 1700	Xeon E5-1681 V3
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	AMD-V	Yes
Target Use	Workstation	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 7 1700 was priced at $140, while the Xeon E5-1681 V3 came in at $1589. On launch pricing ($140 vs $1589), Ryzen 7 1700 was $1449 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 7 1700 delivers 105.5 pts/$ vs 9.3 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-1681 V3 — making the Ryzen 7 1700 the 167.5% better value option.

Feature	Ryzen 7 1700	Xeon E5-1681 V3
MSRP	$140-91%	$1589
Performance per Dollar	105.5+1034%	9.3
Release Date	2017	2014

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