Ryzen 7 7800X3D vs Xeon E3-1515M v5

AMD

Ryzen 7 7800X3D

8 Cores16 Thrd120 WWMax: 5 GHz2023
Ryzen family
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VS
Intel

Xeon E3-1515M v5

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2016
Similar parts
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Ryzen 7 7800X3D vs Xeon E3-1515M v5 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 E3-1515M v5 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 E3-1515M v5: 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: +146.9% higher average FPS across 37 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Newer platform on AM5 with DDR5 support instead of BGA1440 and DDR4.
  • 75% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $449 MSRP, while Xeon E3-1515M v5 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 166.7% higher power demand at 120W vs 45W.

Xeon E3-1515M v5

2016

Why buy it

  • Draws 45W instead of 120W, a 75W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 7800X3D across 37 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (5,925 vs 34,293).
  • Older platform position on BGA1440 with DDR4, while Ryzen 7 7800X3D moves to AM5 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 7800X3D better than Xeon E3-1515M v5?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1515M v5 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 146.9% 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 478.8% 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 at an unclear MSRP at $449 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 146.9% average FPS lead across 37 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (76.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 7800X3D makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2016), a healthier platform with AM5 and DDR5 instead of BGA1440, 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 4/8, 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 E3-1515M v5 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 E3-1515M v5

The Xeon E3-1515M v5 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 January 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-H (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,925 points. Launch price was $489.

Processing Power

The Ryzen 7 7800X3D packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E3-1515M v5 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Ryzen 7 7800X3D has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon E3-1515M v5 — a 29.9% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D (base: 4.4 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Ryzen 7 7800X3D uses the Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) architecture (5 nm), while the Xeon E3-1515M v5 uses Skylake-H (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D scores 34,293 against the Xeon E3-1515M v5's 5,925 — a 141.1% lead for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,700 vs 1,017, a 90.6% lead for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 96 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1515M v5.

FeatureRyzen 7 7800X3DXeon E3-1515M v5
Cores / Threads
8 / 16+100%
4 / 8
Boost Clock
5 GHz+35%
3.7 GHz
Base Clock
4.4 GHz+57%
2.8 GHz
L3 Cache
96 MB (total)+1100%
8 MB (total)
L2 Cache
1 MB (per core)+300%
256 kB (per core)
Process
5 nm-64%
14 nm
Architecture
Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023)
Skylake-H (2015−2016)
PassMark
34,293+479%
5,925
Cinebench R23 Multi
18,500
Geekbench 6 Single
2,700+165%
1,017
Geekbench 6 Multi
15,000
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 7 7800X3D uses the AM5 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E3-1515M v5 uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5200 on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D versus DDR4-2133 on the Xeon E3-1515M v5 — the Ryzen 7 7800X3D supports 143.8% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 7 7800X3D supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 28 (Ryzen 7 7800X3D) vs 16 (Xeon E3-1515M v5) — the Ryzen 7 7800X3D offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X670E,X670,B650E,B650,A620 (Ryzen 7 7800X3D) and SoC (Xeon E3-1515M v5).

FeatureRyzen 7 7800X3DXeon E3-1515M v5
Socket
AM5
BGA1440
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+67%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-5200+144%
DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB+100%
64 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
28+75%
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 7 7800X3D has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Ryzen 7 7800X3D supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Ryzen 7 7800X3D) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon E3-1515M v5). Both include integrated graphics AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core) (Ryzen 7 7800X3D) and Iris Pro Graphics P580 (Xeon E3-1515M v5) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 7 7800X3D targets Gaming, Xeon E3-1515M v5 targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Ryzen 7 7800X3D rivals Intel Core i7-14700K; Xeon E3-1515M v5 rivals Core i7-6700HQ.

FeatureRyzen 7 7800X3DXeon E3-1515M v5
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core)
Iris Pro Graphics P580
Unlocked
Yes
No
AVX-512
Yes
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Gaming
Productivity