Ryzen 7 3700X
Xeon E3-1220 v3
Ryzen 7 3700X vs Xeon E3-1220 v3 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 3700X vs Xeon E3-1220 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.
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 3700X vs Xeon E3-1220 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 3700X
2019Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +177.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅+300% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 8 MB).
- ✅Delivers 167.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 68.2 vs 25.5 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $203 MSRP).
- ✅Draws 65W instead of 80W, a 15W reduction.
- ✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
Trade-offs
- ❌62.1% HIGHER MSRP$329 MSRPvs$203 MSRP
Xeon E3-1220 v3
2013Why buy it
- ✅Costs $126 less on MSRP ($203 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 3700X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower PassMark (5,178 vs 22,430).
- ❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 32 MB).
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 25.5 vs 68.2 PassMark/$ ($203 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
- ❌23.1% higher power demand at 80W vs 65W.
Quick Answers
So, is Ryzen 7 3700X better than Xeon E3-1220 v3?
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 3700X vs Xeon E3-1220 v3 Technical Specifications
Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.
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.
Xeon E3-1220 v3
The Xeon E3-1220 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,178 points. Launch price was $239.
Processing Power
The Ryzen 7 3700X packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E3-1220 v3 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Ryzen 7 3700X has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220 v3 — a 22.8% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 3700X (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Ryzen 7 3700X uses the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Xeon E3-1220 v3 uses Haswell-WS (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 7 3700X scores 22,430 against the Xeon E3-1220 v3's 5,178 — a 125% lead for the Ryzen 7 3700X. L3 cache: 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X vs 8192 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1220 v3.
| Feature | Ryzen 7 3700X | Xeon E3-1220 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 16+100% | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz+26% | 3.5 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.6 GHz+16% | 3.1 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 32 MB+300% | 8192 kB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 512K (per core)+100% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 7 nm, 12 nm-68% | 22 nm |
| Architecture | Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) | Haswell-WS (2013−2014) |
| PassMark | 22,430+333% | 5,178 |
Memory & Platform
The Ryzen 7 3700X uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E3-1220 v3 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Ryzen 7 3700X | Xeon E3-1220 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM4 | LGA1150 |
| 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
At launch, the Ryzen 7 3700X was priced at $329, while the Xeon E3-1220 v3 came in at $203. On launch pricing ($329 vs $203), Xeon E3-1220 v3 was $126 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 7 3700X delivers 68.2 pts/$ vs 25.5 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1220 v3 — making the Ryzen 7 3700X the 91.1% better value option.
| Feature | Ryzen 7 3700X | Xeon E3-1220 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $329 | $203-38% |
| Performance per Dollar | 68.2+167% | 25.5 |
| Release Date | 2019 | 2013 |
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