Ryzen 7 5700X vs Xeon E3-1220 v3

Ryzen 7 5700X vs Xeon E3-1220 v3 Performance Spectrum

Ryzen 7 5700X

8 / 16

26,609

+413.9%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Xeon E3-1220 v3

4 / 4

5,178

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 5700X vs Xeon E3-1220 v3 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 5700X vs Xeon E3-1220 v3: 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 5700X

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +169.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+300% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Delivers 248.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 89.0 vs 25.5 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $203 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 80W, a 15W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
47.3% HIGHER MSRP
$299 MSRPvs$203 MSRP

Xeon E3-1220 v3

2013

Why buy it

✅Costs $96 less on MSRP ($203 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 5700X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,178 vs 26,609).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 25.5 vs 89.0 PassMark/$ ($203 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
❌23.1% higher power demand at 80W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 5700X better than Xeon E3-1220 v3?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1220 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 7 5700X 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 5700X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 169.1% 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 5700X is the stronger fit. You are getting 413.9% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 300% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Ryzen 7 5700X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 5700X comes in 47.3% more expensive on MSRP at $299 MSRP versus $203 MSRP, and it still gives you a 169.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 248.9% better value on MSRP (89.0 vs 25.5 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Ryzen 7 5700X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2013), 300% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 8 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Ryzen 7 5700X vs Xeon E3-1220 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Ryzen 7 5700X

The Ryzen 7 5700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 26,609 points. Launch price was $299.

Xeon E3-1220 v3

The Xeon E3-1220 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,178 points. Launch price was $239.

⚡

Processing Power

The Ryzen 7 5700X packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E3-1220 v3 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Ryzen 7 5700X has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 7 5700X versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220 v3 — a 27.2% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 5700X (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Ryzen 7 5700X uses the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture (7 nm), while the Xeon E3-1220 v3 uses Haswell-WS (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 7 5700X scores 26,609 against the Xeon E3-1220 v3's 5,178 — a 134.8% lead for the Ryzen 7 5700X. L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 5700X vs 8192 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1220 v3.

Feature	Ryzen 7 5700X	Xeon E3-1220 v3
Cores / Threads	8 / 16+100%	4 / 4
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+31%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+10%	3.1 GHz
L3 Cache	32 MB (total)+300%	8192 kB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	7 nm-68%	22 nm
Architecture	Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)
PassMark	26,609+414%	5,178
Cinebench R23 Multi	14,000	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,116	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	9,715	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 7 5700X uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E3-1220 v3 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Ryzen 7 5700X	Xeon E3-1220 v3
Socket	AM4	LGA1150
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	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (Ryzen 7 5700X) / not specified (Xeon E3-1220 v3). Primary use case: Ryzen 7 5700X targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Ryzen 7 5700X rivals Core i7-11700K.

Feature	Ryzen 7 5700X	Xeon E3-1220 v3
Integrated GPU	No	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	AMD-V	—
Target Use	Gaming	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 7 5700X was priced at $299, while the Xeon E3-1220 v3 came in at $203. On launch pricing ($299 vs $203), Xeon E3-1220 v3 was $96 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 7 5700X delivers 89.0 pts/$ vs 25.5 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1220 v3 — making the Ryzen 7 5700X the 110.9% better value option.

Feature	Ryzen 7 5700X	Xeon E3-1220 v3
MSRP	$299	$203-32%
Performance per Dollar	89.0+249%	25.5
Release Date	2022	2013

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