Ryzen 7 3700U vs Xeon X5690

Ryzen 7 3700U vs Xeon X5690 Performance Spectrum

Ryzen 7 3700U

4 / 8

7,049

+0.3%

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

Xeon X5690

6 / 12

7,031

0.0%

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 3700U vs Xeon X5690 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 3700U vs Xeon X5690: 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 3700U

2019

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 130W, a 115W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon RX Vega 10, while Xeon X5690 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon X5690, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads.

Xeon X5690

2011

Why buy it

✅+200% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (3,000 vs 3,826).
❌Launch MSRP is still $250 MSRP, while Ryzen 7 3700U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌766.7% higher power demand at 130W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 7 3700U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 3700U better than Xeon X5690?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon X5690 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 7 3700U 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 7 3700U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.7% 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, Ryzen 7 3700U is the stronger fit. You are getting 27.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Ryzen 7 3700U is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon X5690 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen 7 3700U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon X5690 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (28.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 3700U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Ryzen 7 3700U vs Xeon X5690 Technical Specifications

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

Ryzen 7 3700U

The Ryzen 7 3700U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Picasso-U (Zen+) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: FP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,049 points. Launch price was $149.

Xeon X5690

The Xeon X5690 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.46 GHz, with boost up to 3.73 GHz. L3 cache: 12288 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 7,031 points. Launch price was $205.

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Processing Power

The Ryzen 7 3700U packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon X5690 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon X5690 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700U versus 3.73 GHz on the Xeon X5690 — a 7% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 3700U (base: 2.3 GHz vs 3.46 GHz). The Ryzen 7 3700U uses the Picasso-U (Zen+) (2019−2020) architecture (12 nm), while the Xeon X5690 uses Westmere-EP (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 7 3700U scores 7,049 against the Xeon X5690's 7,031 — a 0.3% lead for the Ryzen 7 3700U. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 3,826 vs 3,000 (24.2% advantage for the Ryzen 7 3700U). L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 3700U vs 12288 kB (total) on the Xeon X5690.

Feature	Ryzen 7 3700U	Xeon X5690
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4 GHz+7%	3.73 GHz
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	3.46 GHz+50%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	12288 kB (total)+200%
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	12 nm-63%	32 nm
Architecture	Picasso-U (Zen+) (2019−2020)	Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
PassMark	7,049	7,031
Cinebench R23 Multi	3,826+28%	3,000
Geekbench 6 Single	794	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,115	—

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Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 7 3700U uses the FP5 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon X5690 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Ryzen 7 3700U versus DDR3-1333 on the Xeon X5690 — the Ryzen 7 3700U supports 80% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Ryzen 7 3700U) vs 3 (Xeon X5690). Chipset compatibility: FP5 (Ryzen 7 3700U) and Intel X58,Intel 5520 (Xeon X5690).

Feature	Ryzen 7 3700U	Xeon X5690
Socket	FP5	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+80%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	3+50%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	12	—

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Ryzen 7 3700U) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5690). The Ryzen 7 3700U includes integrated graphics (Radeon RX Vega 10), while the Xeon X5690 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 7 3700U targets Mainstream Laptop, Xeon X5690 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon X5690 rivals Core i7-980X.