Ryzen 7 3800X vs Xeon E5-2698 v4

Ryzen 7 3800X vs Xeon E5-2698 v4 Performance Spectrum

Ryzen 7 3800X

8 / 16

23,008

+1.1%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Xeon E5-2698 v4

20 / 40

22,764

0.0%

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 3800X vs Xeon E5-2698 v4 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 3800X vs Xeon E5-2698 v4: 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 3800X

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +30.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 105W instead of 135W, a 30W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (32 MB vs 50 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2698 v4, which brings 20 cores / 40 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $399 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2698 v4 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-2698 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅+56.3% larger total L3 cache (50 MB vs 32 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 20 cores / 40 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 3800X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (22,764 vs 23,008).
❌28.6% higher power demand at 135W vs 105W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 3800X better than Xeon E5-2698 v4?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2698 v4 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 7 3800X 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 3800X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 30.6% 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 3800X is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Ryzen 7 3800X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 3800X comes in at an unclear MSRP at $399 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 30.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (57.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 3800X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2016) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 20/40. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Ryzen 7 3800X vs Xeon E5-2698 v4 Technical Specifications

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

Ryzen 7 3800X

The Ryzen 7 3800X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 23,008 points. Launch price was $399.

Xeon E5-2698 v4

The Xeon E5-2698 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 20 cores and 40 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 50 MB. L2 cache: 5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 135 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 22,764 points. Launch price was $3,226.

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Processing Power

The Ryzen 7 3800X packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E5-2698 v4 offers 20 cores / 40 threads — the Xeon E5-2698 v4 has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3800X versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2698 v4 — a 22.2% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 3800X (base: 3.9 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Ryzen 7 3800X uses the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Xeon E5-2698 v4 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 7 3800X scores 23,008 against the Xeon E5-2698 v4's 22,764 — a 1.1% lead for the Ryzen 7 3800X. L3 cache: 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3800X vs 50 MB on the Xeon E5-2698 v4.

Feature	Ryzen 7 3800X	Xeon E5-2698 v4
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	20 / 40+150%
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz+25%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.9 GHz+77%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	32 MB	50 MB+56%
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+10140%	5 MB
Process	7 nm, 12 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Matisse (2019−2020)	Broadwell (2015−2019)
PassMark	23,008+1%	22,764

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Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 7 3800X uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-2698 v4 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.