Ryzen 7 260
Xeon w3-2525
Ryzen 7 260 vs Xeon w3-2525 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 Xeon w3-2525 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 Xeon w3-2525: 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: +9.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅Costs $410 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $609 MSRP).
- ✅Delivers 202.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 142.4 vs 47.0 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $609 MSRP).
- ✅Draws 45W instead of 175W, a 130W reduction.
- ✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon 780M, while Xeon w3-2525 needs a discrete GPU.
Trade-offs
- ❌Lower PassMark (28,339 vs 28,641).
- ❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 23 MB).
- ❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon w3-2525, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads and 64 PCIe lanes.
Xeon w3-2525
2024Why buy it
- ✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
- ✅+40.6% larger total L3 cache (23 MB vs 16 MB).
- ✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads, plus 64 PCIe lanes vs 20.
- ✅220% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 260 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 47.0 vs 142.4 PassMark/$ ($609 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
- ❌288.9% higher power demand at 175W vs 45W.
- ❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 7 260 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
Quick Answers
So, is Ryzen 7 260 better than Xeon w3-2525?
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 Xeon w3-2525 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.
Xeon w3-2525
The Xeon w3-2525 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 August 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 22.5 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 175 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4400. Passmark benchmark score: 28,641 points. Launch price was $609.
Processing Power
Both the Ryzen 7 260 and Xeon w3-2525 share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Ryzen 7 260 versus 4.5 GHz on the Xeon w3-2525 — a 12.5% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 260 (base: 3.8 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Ryzen 7 260 uses the Hawk Point (2024−2025) architecture (4 nm), while the Xeon w3-2525 uses Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 7 260 scores 28,339 against the Xeon w3-2525's 28,641 — a 1.1% lead for the Xeon w3-2525. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 260 vs 22.5 MB on the Xeon w3-2525.
| Feature | Ryzen 7 260 | Xeon w3-2525 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 16 | 8 / 16 |
| Boost Clock | 5.1 GHz+13% | 4.5 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.8 GHz+9% | 3.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 16 MB (total) | 22.5 MB+41% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 2 MB (per core)+100% |
| Process | 4 nm-43% | Intel 7 nm |
| Architecture | Hawk Point (2024−2025) | Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) |
| PassMark | 28,339 | 28,641+1% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 2,000 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 15,000 |
Memory & Platform
The Ryzen 7 260 uses the FP8 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon w3-2525 uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Ryzen 7 260 versus DDR5-4400 on the Xeon w3-2525 — the Ryzen 7 260 supports 27.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon w3-2525 supports up to 2 TB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 3100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Ryzen 7 260) vs 4 (Xeon w3-2525). PCIe lanes: 20 (Ryzen 7 260) vs 64 (Xeon w3-2525) — the Xeon w3-2525 offers 44 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Ryzen 7 260 | Xeon w3-2525 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FP8 | LGA4677 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 5.0+25% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-5600+27% | DDR5-4400 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | 2 TB+3100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 4+100% |
| ECC Support | No | Yes |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | 64+220% |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Ryzen 7 260) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon w3-2525). The Ryzen 7 260 includes integrated graphics (Radeon 780M), while the Xeon w3-2525 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 7 260 targets Mobile, Xeon w3-2525 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon w3-2525 rivals Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX.
| Feature | Ryzen 7 260 | Xeon w3-2525 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Radeon 780M | None |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | Yes | Yes |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Mobile | Workstation |
Value Analysis
At launch, the Ryzen 7 260 was priced at $199, while the Xeon w3-2525 came in at $609. On launch pricing ($199 vs $609), Ryzen 7 260 was $410 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 7 260 delivers 142.4 pts/$ vs 47.0 pts/$ for the Xeon w3-2525 — making the Ryzen 7 260 the 100.7% better value option.
| Feature | Ryzen 7 260 | Xeon w3-2525 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $199-67% | $609 |
| Performance per Dollar | 142.4+203% | 47.0 |
| Release Date | 2025 | 2024 |
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