Ryzen 7 3700X vs Xeon E5-2667 v2

AMD

Ryzen 7 3700X

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2019

Popular choices:

VS
Intel

Xeon E5-2667 v2

8 Cores16 Thrd130 WWMax: 4 GHz2013

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: +83.9% higher average FPS across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +60% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 20 MB).
  • Delivers 67.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 68.2 vs 40.6 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).
  • Draws 65W instead of 130W, a 65W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2667 v2, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.
  • 9.7% HIGHER MSRP
    $329 MSRPvs$300 MSRP

Xeon E5-2667 v2

2013

Why buy it

  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 24.
  • Costs $29 less on MSRP ($300 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
  • 66.7% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 3700X across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (12,186 vs 22,430).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 32 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 40.6 vs 68.2 PassMark/$ ($300 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
  • 100% higher power demand at 130W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 3700X better than Xeon E5-2667 v2?
Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. Xeon E5-2667 v2 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 83.9% more average FPS across 2 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 84.1% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 60% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 20 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 9.7% more expensive on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $300 MSRP, and it gives you a 83.9% average FPS lead across 2 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 67.8% better value on MSRP (68.2 vs 40.6 PassMark/$), 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 a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2013), 60% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 20 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 8/16. 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 E5-2667 v2
1080p
low200 FPS170 FPS
medium163 FPS145 FPS
high137 FPS118 FPS
ultra110 FPS95 FPS
1440p
low156 FPS145 FPS
medium121 FPS120 FPS
high100 FPS95 FPS
ultra80 FPS77 FPS
4K
low84 FPS66 FPS
medium71 FPS59 FPS
high56 FPS46 FPS
ultra44 FPS36 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetRyzen 7 3700XXeon E5-2667 v2
1080p
low561 FPS305 FPS
medium525 FPS305 FPS
high428 FPS276 FPS
ultra383 FPS232 FPS
1440p
low545 FPS305 FPS
medium471 FPS288 FPS
high394 FPS245 FPS
ultra337 FPS203 FPS
4K
low350 FPS204 FPS
medium304 FPS187 FPS
high274 FPS169 FPS
ultra242 FPS139 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetRyzen 7 3700XXeon E5-2667 v2
1080p
low561 FPS305 FPS
medium561 FPS305 FPS
high561 FPS305 FPS
ultra561 FPS305 FPS
1440p
low561 FPS305 FPS
medium561 FPS305 FPS
high538 FPS305 FPS
ultra470 FPS305 FPS
4K
low499 FPS305 FPS
medium394 FPS305 FPS
high343 FPS305 FPS
ultra275 FPS305 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetRyzen 7 3700XXeon E5-2667 v2
1080p
low561 FPS305 FPS
medium561 FPS305 FPS
high561 FPS305 FPS
ultra561 FPS305 FPS
1440p
low561 FPS305 FPS
medium561 FPS305 FPS
high561 FPS305 FPS
ultra555 FPS305 FPS
4K
low561 FPS305 FPS
medium501 FPS305 FPS
high447 FPS305 FPS
ultra396 FPS305 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen 7 3700X and Xeon E5-2667 v2

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 E5-2667 v2

The Xeon E5-2667 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 12,186 points. Launch price was $2,300.

Processing Power

Both the Ryzen 7 3700X and Xeon E5-2667 v2 share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X versus 4 GHz on the Xeon E5-2667 v2 — a 9.5% 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 E5-2667 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 7 3700X scores 22,430 against the Xeon E5-2667 v2's 12,186 — a 59.2% lead for the Ryzen 7 3700X. L3 cache: 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X vs 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2667 v2.

FeatureRyzen 7 3700XXeon E5-2667 v2
Cores / Threads
8 / 16
8 / 16
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz+10%
4 GHz
Base Clock
3.6 GHz+9%
3.3 GHz
L3 Cache
32 MB+60%
20 MB (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)
Ivy Bridge-EP (2013)
PassMark
22,430+84%
12,186
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 7 3700X uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-2667 v2 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 3700X versus DDR3-1866 on the Xeon E5-2667 v2 — the Ryzen 7 3700X supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-2667 v2 supports up to 768 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB 142.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Ryzen 7 3700X) vs 4 (Xeon E5-2667 v2). PCIe lanes: 24 (Ryzen 7 3700X) vs 40 (Xeon E5-2667 v2) — the Xeon E5-2667 v2 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 7 3700X) and Intel X79,Intel C602 (Xeon E5-2667 v2).

FeatureRyzen 7 3700XXeon E5-2667 v2
Socket
AM4
LGA2011
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0+33%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200+33%
DDR3-1866
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
768 GB+500%
RAM Channels
2
4+100%
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
24
40+67%
💰

Value Analysis

The Ryzen 7 3700X launched at $329 MSRP, while the Xeon E5-2667 v2 debuted at $300. On MSRP ($329 vs $300), the Xeon E5-2667 v2 is $29 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 7 3700X delivers 68.2 pts/$ vs 40.6 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2667 v2 — making the Ryzen 7 3700X the 50.7% better value option.

FeatureRyzen 7 3700XXeon E5-2667 v2
MSRP
$329
$300-9%
Performance per Dollar
68.2+68%
40.6
Release Date
2019
2013