Ryzen 7 3700X vs Xeon E-2246G

AMD

Ryzen 7 3700X

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2019

Popular choices:

VS
Intel

Xeon E-2246G

6 Cores12 Thrd80 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2019

Popular choices:

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Ryzen 7 3700X

2019

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +31.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB).
  • Delivers 53.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 68.2 vs 44.5 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $311 MSRP).
  • Draws 65W instead of 80W, a 15W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • 5.8% HIGHER MSRP
    $329 MSRPvs$311 MSRP

Xeon E-2246G

2019

Why buy it

  • Costs $18 less on MSRP ($311 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 3700X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (13,832 vs 22,430).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 32 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 44.5 vs 68.2 PassMark/$ ($311 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
  • 23.1% higher power demand at 80W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 3700X better than Xeon E-2246G?
Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. Xeon E-2246G makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 7 3700X is the better mainstream desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and day-to-day practicality.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 7 3700X is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 31.8% 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 3700X is the better fit. You are getting 62.2% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 7 3700X is the smarter buy today. Ryzen 7 3700X is 5.8% more expensive on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $311 MSRP, and it gives you a 31.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 53.3% better value on MSRP (68.2 vs 44.5 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 7 3700X is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom should age better as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetRyzen 7 3700XXeon E-2246G
1080p
low200 FPS306 FPS
medium163 FPS271 FPS
high137 FPS225 FPS
ultra110 FPS176 FPS
1440p
low156 FPS269 FPS
medium121 FPS217 FPS
high100 FPS175 FPS
ultra80 FPS141 FPS
4K
low84 FPS172 FPS
medium71 FPS140 FPS
high56 FPS106 FPS
ultra44 FPS93 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetRyzen 7 3700XXeon E-2246G
1080p
low561 FPS346 FPS
medium525 FPS281 FPS
high428 FPS248 FPS
ultra383 FPS212 FPS
1440p
low545 FPS295 FPS
medium471 FPS244 FPS
high394 FPS219 FPS
ultra337 FPS186 FPS
4K
low350 FPS246 FPS
medium304 FPS206 FPS
high274 FPS186 FPS
ultra242 FPS152 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetRyzen 7 3700XXeon E-2246G
1080p
low561 FPS346 FPS
medium561 FPS346 FPS
high561 FPS346 FPS
ultra561 FPS346 FPS
1440p
low561 FPS346 FPS
medium561 FPS346 FPS
high538 FPS346 FPS
ultra470 FPS346 FPS
4K
low499 FPS346 FPS
medium394 FPS346 FPS
high343 FPS346 FPS
ultra275 FPS299 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetRyzen 7 3700XXeon E-2246G
1080p
low561 FPS346 FPS
medium561 FPS346 FPS
high561 FPS346 FPS
ultra561 FPS346 FPS
1440p
low561 FPS346 FPS
medium561 FPS346 FPS
high561 FPS346 FPS
ultra555 FPS346 FPS
4K
low561 FPS346 FPS
medium501 FPS346 FPS
high447 FPS346 FPS
ultra396 FPS346 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen 7 3700X and Xeon E-2246G

AMD

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.

Intel

Xeon E-2246G

The Xeon E-2246G is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 May 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 13,832 points. Launch price was $311.

Processing Power

The Ryzen 7 3700X packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E-2246G offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 7 3700X has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X versus 4.8 GHz on the Xeon E-2246G — a 8.7% clock advantage for the Xeon E-2246G (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Ryzen 7 3700X uses the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Xeon E-2246G uses Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 7 3700X scores 22,430 against the Xeon E-2246G's 13,832 — a 47.4% lead for the Ryzen 7 3700X. L3 cache: 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon E-2246G.

FeatureRyzen 7 3700XXeon E-2246G
Cores / Threads
8 / 16+33%
6 / 12
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz
4.8 GHz+9%
Base Clock
3.6 GHz
3.6 GHz
L3 Cache
32 MB+167%
12 MB (total)
L2 Cache
512K (per core)+100%
256 kB (per core)
Process
7 nm, 12 nm-50%
14 nm
Architecture
Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019)
PassMark
22,430+62%
13,832
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 7 3700X uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E-2246G uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureRyzen 7 3700XXeon E-2246G
Socket
AM4
LGA1151
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0+33%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
Yes
PCIe Lanes
24
💰

Value Analysis

The Ryzen 7 3700X launched at $329 MSRP, while the Xeon E-2246G debuted at $311. On MSRP ($329 vs $311), the Xeon E-2246G is $18 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 7 3700X delivers 68.2 pts/$ vs 44.5 pts/$ for the Xeon E-2246G — making the Ryzen 7 3700X the 42.1% better value option.

FeatureRyzen 7 3700XXeon E-2246G
MSRP
$329
$311-5%
Performance per Dollar
68.2+53%
44.5
Release Date
2019
2019