Ryzen 7 5800X vs Xeon W3690

Ryzen 7 5800X vs Xeon W3690 Performance Spectrum

Ryzen 7 5800X

8 / 16

27,712

+285.4%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX

Xeon W3690

6 / 12

7,191

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 5800X vs Xeon W3690 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 5800X vs Xeon W3690: 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 5800X

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +89.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Costs $134 less on MSRP ($449 MSRP vs $583 MSRP).
✅Delivers 400.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 61.7 vs 12.3 PassMark/$ ($449 MSRP vs $583 MSRP).
✅Draws 105W instead of 130W, a 25W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Xeon W3690

2011

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 5800X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (7,191 vs 27,712).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.3 vs 61.7 PassMark/$ ($583 MSRP vs $449 MSRP).
❌23.8% higher power demand at 130W vs 105W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 5800X better than Xeon W3690?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W3690 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 7 5800X 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 5800X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 89.2% 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 5800X is the stronger fit. You are getting 285.4% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has 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 5800X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 5800X comes in $134 cheaper on MSRP at $449 MSRP versus $583 MSRP, and it still gives you a 89.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 400.4% better value on MSRP (61.7 vs 12.3 PassMark/$), 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 5800X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2011), 166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Ryzen 7 5800X vs Xeon W3690 Technical Specifications

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

Ryzen 7 5800X

The Ryzen 7 5800X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 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. Passmark benchmark score: 27,712 points. Launch price was $449.

Xeon W3690

The Xeon W3690 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Gulftown (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.46 GHz, with boost up to 3.73 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 7,191 points. Launch price was $450.

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Processing Power

The Ryzen 7 5800X packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon W3690 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 7 5800X has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Ryzen 7 5800X versus 3.73 GHz on the Xeon W3690 — a 23% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 5800X (base: 3.8 GHz vs 3.46 GHz). The Ryzen 7 5800X uses the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Xeon W3690 uses Gulftown (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 7 5800X scores 27,712 against the Xeon W3690's 7,191 — a 117.6% lead for the Ryzen 7 5800X. L3 cache: 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 5800X vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon W3690.

Feature	Ryzen 7 5800X	Xeon W3690
Cores / Threads	8 / 16+33%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz+26%	3.73 GHz
Base Clock	3.8 GHz+10%	3.46 GHz
L3 Cache	32 MB+167%	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	7 nm, 12 nm-78%	32 nm
Architecture	Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)	Gulftown (2010−2011)
PassMark	27,712+285%	7,191

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Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 7 5800X uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon W3690 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Ryzen 7 5800X	Xeon W3690
Socket	AM4	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+100%	PCIe 2.0
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 5800X) / not specified (Xeon W3690). Primary use case: Ryzen 7 5800X targets Desktop.

Feature	Ryzen 7 5800X	Xeon W3690
Integrated GPU	No	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	AMD-V	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 7 5800X was priced at $449, while the Xeon W3690 came in at $583. On launch pricing ($449 vs $583), Ryzen 7 5800X was $134 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 7 5800X delivers 61.7 pts/$ vs 12.3 pts/$ for the Xeon W3690 — making the Ryzen 7 5800X the 133.4% better value option.

Feature	Ryzen 7 5800X	Xeon W3690
MSRP	$449-23%	$583
Performance per Dollar	61.7+402%	12.3
Release Date	2020	2011

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