
Ryzen 7 260

Ryzen 7 3700X
Ryzen 7 260 vs Ryzen 7 3700X 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 7 260 vs Ryzen 7 3700X 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.

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Valorant

Among Us

Apex Legends

ARC Raiders

Baldur's Gate 3

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Ryzen 7 260 vs Ryzen 7 3700X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict
See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.
Ryzen 7 260
2025Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +3.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅Costs $130 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
- ✅Delivers 108.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 142.4 vs 68.2 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
- ✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.
- ✅Newer platform on FP8 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
Trade-offs
- ❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 32 MB).
Ryzen 7 3700X
2019Why buy it
- ✅+100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).
- ✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 260 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower PassMark (22,430 vs 28,339).
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 68.2 vs 142.4 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
- ❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.
- ❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Ryzen 7 260 moves to FP8 and DDR5.
Quick Answers
So, is Ryzen 7 260 better than Ryzen 7 3700X?
Which one is better for gaming?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 7 260 vs Ryzen 7 3700X Technical Specifications
Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.


Ryzen 7 260
The Ryzen 7 260 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Hawk Point (2024−2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 28,339 points. Launch price was $299.


Ryzen 7 3700X
The Ryzen 7 3700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 22,430 points. Launch price was $329.
Processing Power
Both the Ryzen 7 260 and Ryzen 7 3700X share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Ryzen 7 260 versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X — a 14.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 260 (base: 3.8 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Ryzen 7 260 uses the Hawk Point (2024−2025) architecture (4 nm), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 7 260 scores 28,339 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 22,430 — a 23.3% lead for the Ryzen 7 260. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 260 vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X.
| Feature | Ryzen 7 260 | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 16 | 8 / 16 |
| Boost Clock | 5.1 GHz+16% | 4.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.8 GHz+6% | 3.6 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 16 MB (total) | 32 MB+100% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 512K (per core)+51100% |
| Process | 4 nm-43% | 7 nm, 12 nm |
| Architecture | Hawk Point (2024−2025) | Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) |
| PassMark | 28,339+26% | 22,430 |
Memory & Platform
The Ryzen 7 260 uses the FP8 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Ryzen 7 260 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 3700X — the Ryzen 7 260 supports 75% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 7 3700X supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Ryzen 7 260) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 3700X) — the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Ryzen 7 260 | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FP8 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-5600+75% | DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | 128 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | No | Yes |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | 24+20% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: AMD-V (Ryzen 7 260) / not specified (Ryzen 7 3700X). The Ryzen 7 260 includes integrated graphics (Radeon 780M), while the Ryzen 7 3700X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 7 260 targets Mobile.
| Feature | Ryzen 7 260 | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Radeon 780M | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | Yes | — |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | — |
| Target Use | Mobile | — |
Value Analysis
At launch, the Ryzen 7 260 was priced at $199, while the Ryzen 7 3700X came in at $329. On launch pricing ($199 vs $329), Ryzen 7 260 was $130 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 7 260 delivers 142.4 pts/$ vs 68.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 3700X — making the Ryzen 7 260 the 70.5% better value option.
| Feature | Ryzen 7 260 | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $199-40% | $329 |
| Performance per Dollar | 142.4+109% | 68.2 |
| Release Date | 2025 | 2019 |
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