Ryzen 7 3700X vs Xeon W-1250

AMD

Ryzen 7 3700X

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2019

Popular choices:

VS
Intel

Xeon W-1250

6 Cores12 Thrd80 WWMax: 4.7 GHz2020

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: +60.7% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB).
  • Delivers 42.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 68.2 vs 48.0 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $285 MSRP).
  • Draws 65W instead of 80W, a 15W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • 15.4% HIGHER MSRP
    $329 MSRPvs$285 MSRP

Xeon W-1250

2020

Why buy it

  • Costs $44 less on MSRP ($285 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 3700X across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (13,671 vs 22,430).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 32 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 48.0 vs 68.2 PassMark/$ ($285 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
  • 23.1% higher power demand at 80W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 3700X better than Xeon W-1250?
Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. Xeon W-1250 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 60.7% more average FPS across 3 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 64.1% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 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 15.4% more expensive on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $285 MSRP, and it gives you a 60.7% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 42.1% better value on MSRP (68.2 vs 48.0 PassMark/$), 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?
Xeon W-1250 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2019). That makes it the safer long-term pick.

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 W-1250
1080p
low200 FPS186 FPS
medium163 FPS150 FPS
high137 FPS122 FPS
ultra110 FPS100 FPS
1440p
low156 FPS151 FPS
medium121 FPS119 FPS
high100 FPS96 FPS
ultra80 FPS80 FPS
4K
low84 FPS84 FPS
medium71 FPS72 FPS
high56 FPS58 FPS
ultra44 FPS45 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetRyzen 7 3700XXeon W-1250
1080p
low561 FPS336 FPS
medium525 FPS273 FPS
high428 FPS248 FPS
ultra383 FPS214 FPS
1440p
low545 FPS302 FPS
medium471 FPS247 FPS
high394 FPS227 FPS
ultra337 FPS196 FPS
4K
low350 FPS252 FPS
medium304 FPS208 FPS
high274 FPS192 FPS
ultra242 FPS161 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetRyzen 7 3700XXeon W-1250
1080p
low561 FPS342 FPS
medium561 FPS342 FPS
high561 FPS342 FPS
ultra561 FPS342 FPS
1440p
low561 FPS342 FPS
medium561 FPS342 FPS
high538 FPS342 FPS
ultra470 FPS342 FPS
4K
low499 FPS342 FPS
medium394 FPS342 FPS
high343 FPS342 FPS
ultra275 FPS295 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetRyzen 7 3700XXeon W-1250
1080p
low561 FPS342 FPS
medium561 FPS342 FPS
high561 FPS342 FPS
ultra561 FPS342 FPS
1440p
low561 FPS342 FPS
medium561 FPS342 FPS
high561 FPS342 FPS
ultra555 FPS342 FPS
4K
low561 FPS342 FPS
medium501 FPS342 FPS
high447 FPS342 FPS
ultra396 FPS342 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen 7 3700X and Xeon W-1250

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 W-1250

The Xeon W-1250 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 13,671 points. Launch price was $800.

Processing Power

The Ryzen 7 3700X packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon W-1250 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 4.7 GHz on the Xeon W-1250 — a 6.6% clock advantage for the Xeon W-1250 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Ryzen 7 3700X is built on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. In PassMark, the Ryzen 7 3700X scores 22,430 against the Xeon W-1250's 13,671 — a 48.5% lead for the Ryzen 7 3700X. L3 cache: 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X vs 12 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon W-1250.

FeatureRyzen 7 3700XXeon W-1250
Cores / Threads
8 / 16+33%
6 / 12
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz
4.7 GHz+7%
Base Clock
3.6 GHz+9%
3.3 GHz
L3 Cache
32 MB+167%
12 MB Intel® Smart Cache
L2 Cache
512K (per core)
Process
7 nm, 12 nm-50%
14 nm
Architecture
Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark
22,430+64%
13,671
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 7 3700X uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon W-1250 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureRyzen 7 3700XXeon W-1250
Socket
AM4
LGA1200
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

The Ryzen 7 3700X launched at $329 MSRP, while the Xeon W-1250 debuted at $285. On MSRP ($329 vs $285), the Xeon W-1250 is $44 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 7 3700X delivers 68.2 pts/$ vs 48.0 pts/$ for the Xeon W-1250 — making the Ryzen 7 3700X the 34.8% better value option.

FeatureRyzen 7 3700XXeon W-1250
MSRP
$329
$285-13%
Performance per Dollar
68.2+42%
48.0
Release Date
2019
2020