Ryzen 7 3700X vs Xeon w5-2555X

AMD

Ryzen 7 3700X

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2019

Popular choices:

VS
Intel

Xeon w5-2555X

14 Cores28 Thrd252 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2024

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

  • Costs $740 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $1,069 MSRP).
  • Delivers 53.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 68.2 vs 44.6 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $1,069 MSRP).
  • Draws 65W instead of 252W, a 187W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon w5-2555X across 47 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (22,430 vs 47,638).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon w5-2555X, which brings 14 cores / 28 threads and 112 PCIe lanes.
  • Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Xeon w5-2555X moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Xeon w5-2555X

2024

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +5.2% higher average FPS across 47 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 14 cores / 28 threads, plus 112 PCIe lanes vs 24.
  • Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
  • 366.7% more PCIe lanes (112 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 44.6 vs 68.2 PassMark/$ ($1,069 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
  • 287.7% higher power demand at 252W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon w5-2555X better than Ryzen 7 3700X?
Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. Xeon w5-2555X 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, Xeon w5-2555X is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 5.2% more average FPS across 47 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon w5-2555X is the better fit. You are getting 112.4% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 28 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon w5-2555X is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 7 3700X makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Xeon w5-2555X is 224.9% more expensive on MSRP at $1,069 MSRP versus $329 MSRP, and it gives you a 5.2% average FPS lead across 47 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 7 3700X is also 53.0% better value on MSRP (68.2 vs 44.6 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Xeon w5-2555X is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2019), a healthier platform with LGA4677 and DDR5 instead of AM4, more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 28 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 w5-2555X
1080p
low200 FPS323 FPS
medium163 FPS294 FPS
high137 FPS239 FPS
ultra110 FPS202 FPS
1440p
low156 FPS285 FPS
medium121 FPS232 FPS
high100 FPS177 FPS
ultra80 FPS156 FPS
4K
low84 FPS196 FPS
medium71 FPS159 FPS
high56 FPS121 FPS
ultra44 FPS107 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetRyzen 7 3700XXeon w5-2555X
1080p
low561 FPS626 FPS
medium525 FPS519 FPS
high428 FPS424 FPS
ultra383 FPS384 FPS
1440p
low545 FPS517 FPS
medium471 FPS450 FPS
high394 FPS378 FPS
ultra337 FPS326 FPS
4K
low350 FPS321 FPS
medium304 FPS281 FPS
high274 FPS258 FPS
ultra242 FPS228 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetRyzen 7 3700XXeon w5-2555X
1080p
low561 FPS1025 FPS
medium561 FPS1191 FPS
high561 FPS1136 FPS
ultra561 FPS875 FPS
1440p
low561 FPS1025 FPS
medium561 FPS953 FPS
high538 FPS859 FPS
ultra470 FPS656 FPS
4K
low499 FPS656 FPS
medium394 FPS553 FPS
high343 FPS494 FPS
ultra275 FPS420 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetRyzen 7 3700XXeon w5-2555X
1080p
low561 FPS1191 FPS
medium561 FPS1015 FPS
high561 FPS982 FPS
ultra561 FPS847 FPS
1440p
low561 FPS1023 FPS
medium561 FPS883 FPS
high561 FPS767 FPS
ultra555 FPS653 FPS
4K
low561 FPS733 FPS
medium501 FPS637 FPS
high447 FPS562 FPS
ultra396 FPS437 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen 7 3700X and Xeon w5-2555X

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 w5-2555X

The Xeon w5-2555X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 33.75 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 252 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 47,638 points. Launch price was $800.

Processing Power

The Ryzen 7 3700X packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon w5-2555X offers 14 cores / 28 threads — the Xeon w5-2555X has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X versus 4.8 GHz on the Xeon w5-2555X — a 8.7% clock advantage for the Xeon w5-2555X (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 w5-2555X's 47,638 — a 72% lead for the Xeon w5-2555X. L3 cache: 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X vs 33.75 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon w5-2555X.

FeatureRyzen 7 3700XXeon w5-2555X
Cores / Threads
8 / 16
14 / 28+75%
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz
4.8 GHz+9%
Base Clock
3.6 GHz+9%
3.3 GHz
L3 Cache
32 MB
33.75 MB Intel® Smart Cache+5%
L2 Cache
512K (per core)
Process
7 nm, 12 nm
Intel 7 nm
Architecture
Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark
22,430
47,638+112%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 7 3700X uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon w5-2555X uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 3700X versus 4800 on the Xeon w5-2555X — the Xeon w5-2555X supports 199.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon w5-2555X supports up to 4096 of RAM compared to 128 GB 187.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Ryzen 7 3700X) vs 8 (Xeon w5-2555X). PCIe lanes: 24 (Ryzen 7 3700X) vs 112 (Xeon w5-2555X) — the Xeon w5-2555X offers 88 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 w5-2555X).

FeatureRyzen 7 3700XXeon w5-2555X
Socket
AM4
LGA4677
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200
4800+119900%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB+3276700%
4096
RAM Channels
2
8+300%
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
24
112+367%
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Ryzen 7 3700X) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon w5-2555X). Direct competitor: Xeon w5-2555X rivals Threadripper PRO 7965WX.

FeatureRyzen 7 3700XXeon w5-2555X
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
None
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
💰

Value Analysis

The Ryzen 7 3700X launched at $329 MSRP, while the Xeon w5-2555X debuted at $1069. On MSRP ($329 vs $1069), the Ryzen 7 3700X is $740 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 7 3700X delivers 68.2 pts/$ vs 44.6 pts/$ for the Xeon w5-2555X — making the Ryzen 7 3700X the 41.9% better value option.

FeatureRyzen 7 3700XXeon w5-2555X
MSRP
$329-69%
$1069
Performance per Dollar
68.2+53%
44.6
Release Date
2019
2024