Ryzen 7 3700X vs Xeon E5-4640 v3

AMD

Ryzen 7 3700X

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2019
Ryzen family
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VS
Intel

Xeon E5-4640 v3

12 Cores24 Thrd105 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2015
Similar parts
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Ryzen 7 3700X vs Xeon E5-4640 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 E5-4640 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.

Ryzen 7 3700X vs Xeon E5-4640 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

2019

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +51.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $2,530 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $2,859 MSRP).
  • Delivers 1779.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 68.2 vs 3.6 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $2,859 MSRP).
  • Draws 65W instead of 105W, a 40W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-4640 v3, which brings 12 cores / 24 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-4640 v3

2015

Why buy it

  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 12 cores / 24 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 24.
  • 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 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (10,372 vs 22,430).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 3.6 vs 68.2 PassMark/$ ($2,859 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
  • 61.5% higher power demand at 105W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 3700X better than Xeon E5-4640 v3?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-4640 v3 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 51.0% 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 116.3% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.
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 $2,530 cheaper on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $2,859 MSRP, and it still gives you a 51.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 1779.3% better value on MSRP (68.2 vs 3.6 PassMark/$), 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 2015) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 12/24. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Ryzen 7 3700X vs Xeon E5-4640 v3 Technical Specifications

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

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 E5-4640 v3

The Xeon E5-4640 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 10,372 points. Launch price was $800.

Processing Power

The Ryzen 7 3700X packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E5-4640 v3 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Xeon E5-4640 v3 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X versus 2.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-4640 v3 — a 51.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 3700X (base: 3.6 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The Ryzen 7 3700X uses the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Xeon E5-4640 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 7 3700X scores 22,430 against the Xeon E5-4640 v3's 10,372 — a 73.5% lead for the Ryzen 7 3700X. L3 cache: 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X vs 30 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-4640 v3.

FeatureRyzen 7 3700XXeon E5-4640 v3
Cores / Threads
8 / 16
12 / 24+50%
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz+69%
2.6 GHz
Base Clock
3.6 GHz+89%
1.9 GHz
L3 Cache
32 MB+7%
30 MB (total)
L2 Cache
512K (per core)+100%
256K (per core)
Process
7 nm, 12 nm-68%
22 nm
Architecture
Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark
22,430+116%
10,372
Geekbench 6 Single
750
Geekbench 6 Multi
7,000
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 7 3700X uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-4640 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 3700X versus DDR4-1866 on the Xeon E5-4640 v3 — the Ryzen 7 3700X supports 71.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-4640 v3 supports up to 768 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB 500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Ryzen 7 3700X) vs 4 (Xeon E5-4640 v3). PCIe lanes: 24 (Ryzen 7 3700X) vs 40 (Xeon E5-4640 v3) — the Xeon E5-4640 v3 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 C612 (Xeon E5-4640 v3).

FeatureRyzen 7 3700XXeon E5-4640 v3
Socket
AM4
LGA2011
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200+71%
DDR4-1866
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
768 GB+500%
RAM Channels
2
4+100%
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
24
40+67%
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Ryzen 7 3700X) / Yes (Xeon E5-4640 v3).

FeatureRyzen 7 3700XXeon E5-4640 v3
Integrated GPU
No
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
Yes
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 7 3700X was priced at $329, while the Xeon E5-4640 v3 came in at $2859. On launch pricing ($329 vs $2859), Ryzen 7 3700X was $2530 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 7 3700X delivers 68.2 pts/$ vs 3.6 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-4640 v3 — making the Ryzen 7 3700X the 179.8% better value option.

FeatureRyzen 7 3700XXeon E5-4640 v3
MSRP
$329-88%
$2859
Performance per Dollar
68.2+1794%
3.6
Release Date
2019
2015

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