Ryzen 7 3700X vs Xeon Gold 5520+

AMD

Ryzen 7 3700X

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2019
Ryzen family
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VS
Intel

Xeon Gold 5520+

28 Cores56 Thrd205 WWMax: 4 GHz2023
Similar parts
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Ryzen 7 3700X vs Xeon Gold 5520+ 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 Gold 5520+ 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 Gold 5520+: 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: +22.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $754 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $1,083 MSRP).
  • Delivers 20.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 68.2 vs 56.5 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $1,083 MSRP).
  • Draws 65W instead of 205W, a 140W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (22,430 vs 61,227).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (32 MB vs 53 MB).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon Gold 5520+, which brings 28 cores / 56 threads and 80 PCIe lanes.
  • Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Xeon Gold 5520+ moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Xeon Gold 5520+

2023

Why buy it

  • +173% higher PassMark.
  • +64.1% larger total L3 cache (53 MB vs 32 MB).
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 28 cores / 56 threads, plus 80 PCIe lanes vs 24.
  • Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
  • 233.3% more PCIe lanes (80 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 per dollar, at 56.5 vs 68.2 PassMark/$ ($1,083 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
  • 215.4% higher power demand at 205W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 3700X better than Xeon Gold 5520+?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon Gold 5520+ 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 streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 5520+ is the stronger fit. You are getting 173% better PassMark, backed by 28 cores and 56 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 64.1% larger total L3 cache (53 MB vs 32 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 $754 cheaper on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $1,083 MSRP, and it still gives you a 22.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon Gold 5520+ is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 173% better PassMark. It is also 20.6% better value on MSRP (68.2 vs 56.5 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Xeon Gold 5520+ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2019), a healthier platform with LGA4677 and DDR5 instead of AM4, 64.1% larger total L3 cache (53 MB vs 32 MB), more multi-core headroom with 28 cores / 56 threads instead of 8/16, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Ryzen 7 3700X vs Xeon Gold 5520+ 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 Gold 5520+

The Xeon Gold 5520+ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Emerald Rapids (2023) architecture. It features 28 cores and 56 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 52.5 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 61,227 points. Launch price was $1,640.

Processing Power

The Ryzen 7 3700X packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon Gold 5520+ offers 28 cores / 56 threads — the Xeon Gold 5520+ has 20 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X versus 4 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5520+ — a 9.5% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 3700X (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Ryzen 7 3700X uses the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Xeon Gold 5520+ uses Emerald Rapids (2023) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 7 3700X scores 22,430 against the Xeon Gold 5520+'s 61,227 — a 92.8% lead for the Xeon Gold 5520+. L3 cache: 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X vs 52.5 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 5520+.

FeatureRyzen 7 3700XXeon Gold 5520+
Cores / Threads
8 / 16
28 / 56+250%
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz+10%
4 GHz
Base Clock
3.6 GHz+64%
2.2 GHz
L3 Cache
32 MB
52.5 MB (total)+64%
L2 Cache
512K (per core)+25500%
2 MB (per core)
Process
7 nm, 12 nm-30%
10 nm
Architecture
Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
Emerald Rapids (2023)
PassMark
22,430
61,227+173%
Geekbench 6 Single
1,600
Geekbench 6 Multi
25,000
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 7 3700X uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 5520+ uses LGA4677 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 3700X versus DDR5-4800 on the Xeon Gold 5520+ — the Xeon Gold 5520+ supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 5520+ supports up to 4096 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB 3100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Ryzen 7 3700X) vs 8 (Xeon Gold 5520+). PCIe lanes: 24 (Ryzen 7 3700X) vs 80 (Xeon Gold 5520+) — the Xeon Gold 5520+ offers 56 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 7 3700X) and C741 (Xeon Gold 5520+).

FeatureRyzen 7 3700XXeon Gold 5520+
Socket
AM4
LGA4677
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200
DDR5-4800+50%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
4096 GB+3100%
RAM Channels
2
8+300%
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
24
80+233%
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Ryzen 7 3700X) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 5520+). Primary use case: Xeon Gold 5520+ targets Enterprise Server. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 5520+ rivals EPYC 9354.

FeatureRyzen 7 3700XXeon Gold 5520+
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
None
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Enterprise Server
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 7 3700X was priced at $329, while the Xeon Gold 5520+ came in at $1083. On launch pricing ($329 vs $1083), Ryzen 7 3700X was $754 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 7 3700X delivers 68.2 pts/$ vs 56.5 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 5520+ — making the Ryzen 7 3700X the 18.7% better value option.

FeatureRyzen 7 3700XXeon Gold 5520+
MSRP
$329-70%
$1083
Performance per Dollar
68.2+21%
56.5
Release Date
2019
2023

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