Ryzen 7 3700X vs Xeon E5-1660

Ryzen 7 3700X vs Xeon E5-1660 Performance Spectrum

Ryzen 7 3700X

8 / 16

22,430

+169.5%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen 9 9900X3D

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Xeon E5-1660

6 / 12

8,324

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 3700X vs Xeon E5-1660 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 3700X vs Xeon E5-1660: 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

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +81.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+113.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 15 MB).
✅Costs $751 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $1,080 MSRP).
✅Delivers 784.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 68.2 vs 7.7 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $1,080 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 130W, a 65W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Xeon E5-1660

2012

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 3700X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (8,324 vs 22,430).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (15 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.7 vs 68.2 PassMark/$ ($1,080 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌100% higher power demand at 130W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 3700X better than Xeon E5-1660?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1660 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 7 3700X 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 3700X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 81.8% 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 stronger fit. You are getting 169.5% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 113.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 15 MB).

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

Ryzen 7 3700X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 3700X comes in $751 cheaper on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $1,080 MSRP, and it still gives you a 81.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 784.6% better value on MSRP (68.2 vs 7.7 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Ryzen 7 3700X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2012), 113.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 15 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 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 3700X vs Xeon E5-1660 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 E5-1660

The Xeon E5-1660 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 8,324 points. Launch price was $290.

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Processing Power

The Ryzen 7 3700X packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E5-1660 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 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E5-1660 — a 12% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 3700X (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Ryzen 7 3700X uses the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Xeon E5-1660 uses Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 7 3700X scores 22,430 against the Xeon E5-1660's 8,324 — a 91.7% lead for the Ryzen 7 3700X. L3 cache: 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X vs 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-1660.

Feature	Ryzen 7 3700X	Xeon E5-1660
Cores / Threads	8 / 16+33%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+13%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+9%	3.3 GHz
L3 Cache	32 MB+113%	15360 kB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	7 nm, 12 nm-78%	32 nm
Architecture	Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)
PassMark	22,430+169%	8,324

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Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 7 3700X uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-1660 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Ryzen 7 3700X	Xeon E5-1660
Socket	AM4	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+100%	PCIe 2.0
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 E5-1660 came in at $1080. On launch pricing ($329 vs $1080), Ryzen 7 3700X was $751 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 7 3700X delivers 68.2 pts/$ vs 7.7 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-1660 — making the Ryzen 7 3700X the 159.4% better value option.

Feature	Ryzen 7 3700X	Xeon E5-1660
MSRP	$329-70%	$1080
Performance per Dollar	68.2+786%	7.7
Release Date	2019	2012

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