Ryzen 7 7800X3D vs Xeon E3-1220 v3

AMD

Ryzen 7 7800X3D

8 Cores16 Thrd120 WWMax: 5 GHz2023
Ryzen family
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VS
Intel

Xeon E3-1220 v3

4 Cores4 Thrd80 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2013
Similar parts
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Ryzen 7 7800X3D vs Xeon E3-1220 v3 Performance Spectrum

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 7800X3D 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 7800X3D 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 7800X3D

2023

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +214.6% higher average FPS across 37 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Delivers 199.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 76.4 vs 25.5 PassMark/$ ($449 MSRP vs $203 MSRP).
  • Newer platform on AM5 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1150 and DDR4.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core), while Xeon E3-1220 v3 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • 121.2% HIGHER MSRP
    $449 MSRPvs$203 MSRP
  • 50% higher power demand at 120W vs 80W.

Xeon E3-1220 v3

2013

Why buy it

  • Costs $246 less on MSRP ($203 MSRP vs $449 MSRP).
  • Draws 80W instead of 120W, a 40W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 7800X3D across 37 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (5,178 vs 34,293).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 25.5 vs 76.4 PassMark/$ ($203 MSRP vs $449 MSRP).
  • Older platform position on LGA1150 with DDR4, while Ryzen 7 7800X3D moves to AM5 and DDR5.
  • No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 7 7800X3D can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 7800X3D 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 7800X3D 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 7800X3D is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 214.6% more average FPS across 37 shared CPU game tests. It also has a clear cache advantage at 96 MB versus 8 MB.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the stronger fit. You are getting 562.3% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 1100% larger total L3 cache (96 MB vs 8 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 7800X3D comes in 121.2% more expensive on MSRP at $449 MSRP versus $203 MSRP, and it still gives you a 214.6% average FPS lead across 37 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 199.4% better value on MSRP (76.4 vs 25.5 PassMark/$), 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 7800X3D makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2013), a healthier platform with AM5 and DDR5 instead of LGA1150, 3D V-Cache and a much larger 96 MB L3 cache instead of 8 MB, more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 4/4, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Ryzen 7 7800X3D vs Xeon E3-1220 v3 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Ryzen 7 7800X3D

The Ryzen 7 7800X3D is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4.4 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 96 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200. Passmark benchmark score: 34,293 points. Launch price was $449.

Intel

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 7800X3D packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E3-1220 v3 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Ryzen 7 7800X3D has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220 v3 — a 35.3% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D (base: 4.4 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Ryzen 7 7800X3D uses the Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) architecture (5 nm), while the Xeon E3-1220 v3 uses Haswell-WS (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D scores 34,293 against the Xeon E3-1220 v3's 5,178 — a 147.5% lead for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. L3 cache: 96 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D vs 8192 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1220 v3.

FeatureRyzen 7 7800X3DXeon E3-1220 v3
Cores / Threads
8 / 16+100%
4 / 4
Boost Clock
5 GHz+43%
3.5 GHz
Base Clock
4.4 GHz+42%
3.1 GHz
L3 Cache
96 MB (total)+1100%
8192 kB (total)
L2 Cache
1 MB (per core)+300%
256 kB (per core)
Process
5 nm-77%
22 nm
Architecture
Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023)
Haswell-WS (2013−2014)
PassMark
34,293+562%
5,178
Cinebench R23 Multi
18,500
Geekbench 6 Single
2,700
Geekbench 6 Multi
15,000
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 7 7800X3D uses the AM5 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E3-1220 v3 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureRyzen 7 7800X3DXeon E3-1220 v3
Socket
AM5
LGA1150
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+67%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-5200
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
Yes
PCIe Lanes
28
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (Ryzen 7 7800X3D) / not specified (Xeon E3-1220 v3). The Ryzen 7 7800X3D includes integrated graphics (AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core)), while the Xeon E3-1220 v3 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 7 7800X3D targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Ryzen 7 7800X3D rivals Intel Core i7-14700K.

FeatureRyzen 7 7800X3DXeon E3-1220 v3
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core)
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
Yes
Virtualization
AMD-V
Target Use
Gaming
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D was priced at $449, while the Xeon E3-1220 v3 came in at $203. On launch pricing ($449 vs $203), Xeon E3-1220 v3 was $246 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 7 7800X3D delivers 76.4 pts/$ vs 25.5 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1220 v3 — making the Ryzen 7 7800X3D the 99.9% better value option.

FeatureRyzen 7 7800X3DXeon E3-1220 v3
MSRP
$449
$203-55%
Performance per Dollar
76.4+200%
25.5
Release Date
2023
2013

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