Ryzen 7 3700X vs Xeon w5-2445

AMD

Ryzen 7 3700X

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2019

Popular choices:

VS
Intel

Xeon w5-2445

10 Cores20 Thrd175 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2023

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: +4.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +21.9% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 26 MB).
  • Draws 65W instead of 175W, a 110W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (22,430 vs 32,213).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon w5-2445, which brings 10 cores / 20 threads and 64 PCIe lanes.
  • Launch MSRP is still $329 MSRP, while Xeon w5-2445 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Xeon w5-2445 moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Xeon w5-2445

2023

Why buy it

  • +43.6% higher PassMark.
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 10 cores / 20 threads, plus 64 PCIe lanes vs 24.
  • Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
  • 166.7% more PCIe lanes (64 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.
  • Smaller total L3 cache (26 MB vs 32 MB).
  • 169.2% higher power demand at 175W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 3700X better than Xeon w5-2445?
Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. Xeon w5-2445 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 streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon w5-2445 is the better fit. You are getting 43.6% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 7 3700X is the smarter buy today. Ryzen 7 3700X is at an unclear MSRP at $329 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you a 4.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The trade-off is that Xeon w5-2445 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 43.6% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (68.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 w5-2445 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2019), a healthier platform with LGA4677 and DDR5 instead of AM4, more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 20 threads instead of 8/16, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

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 w5-2445
1080p
low200 FPS186 FPS
medium163 FPS155 FPS
high137 FPS129 FPS
ultra110 FPS106 FPS
1440p
low156 FPS151 FPS
medium121 FPS121 FPS
high100 FPS98 FPS
ultra80 FPS81 FPS
4K
low84 FPS83 FPS
medium71 FPS71 FPS
high56 FPS58 FPS
ultra44 FPS45 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetRyzen 7 3700XXeon w5-2445
1080p
low561 FPS585 FPS
medium525 FPS487 FPS
high428 FPS402 FPS
ultra383 FPS361 FPS
1440p
low545 FPS496 FPS
medium471 FPS430 FPS
high394 FPS364 FPS
ultra337 FPS312 FPS
4K
low350 FPS307 FPS
medium304 FPS269 FPS
high274 FPS248 FPS
ultra242 FPS219 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetRyzen 7 3700XXeon w5-2445
1080p
low561 FPS805 FPS
medium561 FPS805 FPS
high561 FPS805 FPS
ultra561 FPS805 FPS
1440p
low561 FPS805 FPS
medium561 FPS765 FPS
high538 FPS725 FPS
ultra470 FPS650 FPS
4K
low499 FPS560 FPS
medium394 FPS458 FPS
high343 FPS417 FPS
ultra275 FPS338 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetRyzen 7 3700XXeon w5-2445
1080p
low561 FPS805 FPS
medium561 FPS805 FPS
high561 FPS805 FPS
ultra561 FPS787 FPS
1440p
low561 FPS805 FPS
medium561 FPS805 FPS
high561 FPS726 FPS
ultra555 FPS621 FPS
4K
low561 FPS681 FPS
medium501 FPS594 FPS
high447 FPS524 FPS
ultra396 FPS437 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen 7 3700X and Xeon w5-2445

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 w5-2445

The Xeon w5-2445 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 February 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 26.25 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 175 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 32,213 points. Launch price was $839.

Processing Power

The Ryzen 7 3700X packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon w5-2445 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon w5-2445 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X versus 4.6 GHz on the Xeon w5-2445 — a 4.4% clock advantage for the Xeon w5-2445 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Ryzen 7 3700X uses the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Xeon w5-2445 uses Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 7 3700X scores 22,430 against the Xeon w5-2445's 32,213 — a 35.8% lead for the Xeon w5-2445. L3 cache: 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X vs 26.25 MB on the Xeon w5-2445.

FeatureRyzen 7 3700XXeon w5-2445
Cores / Threads
8 / 16
10 / 20+25%
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz
4.6 GHz+5%
Base Clock
3.6 GHz+16%
3.1 GHz
L3 Cache
32 MB+22%
26.25 MB
L2 Cache
512K (per core)
2 MB (per core)+300%
Process
7 nm, 12 nm
Intel 7 nm
Architecture
Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)
PassMark
22,430
32,213+44%
Cinebench R23 Multi
15,500
Geekbench 6 Single
1,822
Geekbench 6 Multi
10,719
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 7 3700X uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon w5-2445 uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 3700X versus DDR5-4800 on the Xeon w5-2445 — the Xeon w5-2445 supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon w5-2445 supports up to 2048 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB 176.5% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Ryzen 7 3700X) vs 4 (Xeon w5-2445). PCIe lanes: 24 (Ryzen 7 3700X) vs 64 (Xeon w5-2445) — the Xeon w5-2445 offers 40 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 7 3700X) and W790 (Xeon w5-2445).

FeatureRyzen 7 3700XXeon w5-2445
Socket
AM4
LGA4677
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200
DDR5-4800+25%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
2048 GB+1500%
RAM Channels
2
4+100%
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
24
64+167%
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Ryzen 7 3700X) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon w5-2445). Primary use case: Xeon w5-2445 targets Professional Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon w5-2445 rivals Threadripper 7945WX.

FeatureRyzen 7 3700XXeon w5-2445
Integrated GPU
No
No
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Professional Workstation