Ryzen 9 3900 vs Xeon E7-4890 v2
Ryzen 9 3900
Xeon E7-4890 v2
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 9 3900
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E7-4890 v2
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Ryzen 9 3900 | Xeon E7-4890 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($150) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) / 7 nm, 12 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Ryzen 9 3900 | Xeon E7-4890 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($150) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen 9 3900 and Xeon E7-4890 v2
Ryzen 9 3900
The Ryzen 9 3900 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 24 September 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 30,588 points. Launch price was $499.
Xeon E7-4890 v2
The Xeon E7-4890 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 15 cores and 30 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 37.5 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 155 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 30,946 points. Launch price was $800.
Processing Power
The Ryzen 9 3900 packs 12 cores / 24 threads, while the Xeon E7-4890 v2 offers 15 cores / 30 threads — the Xeon E7-4890 v2 has 3 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen 9 3900 versus 3.4 GHz on the Xeon E7-4890 v2 — a 23.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 3900 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Ryzen 9 3900 is built on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. In PassMark, the Ryzen 9 3900 scores 30,588 against the Xeon E7-4890 v2's 30,946 — a 1.2% lead for the Xeon E7-4890 v2. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 17,700 vs 6,500 (92.6% advantage for the Ryzen 9 3900). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,713 vs 730, a 80.5% lead for the Ryzen 9 3900 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 10,983 vs 5,500 (66.5% advantage for the Ryzen 9 3900). L3 cache: 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 3900 vs 37.5 MB on the Xeon E7-4890 v2.
| Feature | Ryzen 9 3900 | Xeon E7-4890 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 12 / 24 | 15 / 30+25% |
| Boost Clock | 4.3 GHz+26% | 3.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.1 GHz+11% | 2.8 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 64 MB+71% | 37.5 MB |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core) | — |
| Process | 7 nm, 12 nm-68% | 22 nm |
| Architecture | Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) | — |
| PassMark | 30,588 | 30,946+1% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 17,700+172% | 6,500 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,713+135% | 730 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 10,983+100% | 5,500 |
Memory & Platform
The Ryzen 9 3900 uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E7-4890 v2 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 9 3900 versus DDR3-1600 on the Xeon E7-4890 v2 — the Ryzen 9 3900 supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E7-4890 v2 supports up to 1536 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 169.2% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Ryzen 9 3900) vs 4 (Xeon E7-4890 v2). PCIe lanes: 24 (Ryzen 9 3900) vs 32 (Xeon E7-4890 v2) — the Xeon E7-4890 v2 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X570,B550,X470,B450 (Ryzen 9 3900) and C602 (Xeon E7-4890 v2).
| Feature | Ryzen 9 3900 | Xeon E7-4890 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM4 | LGA2011 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0+33% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-3200+33% | DDR3-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 1536 GB+1100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 4+100% |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 24 | 32+33% |
Advanced Features
Only the Ryzen 9 3900 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Ryzen 9 3900) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon E7-4890 v2). Primary use case: Ryzen 9 3900 targets Workstation Desktop (low power), Xeon E7-4890 v2 targets Enterprise Server (Legacy). Direct competitor: Ryzen 9 3900 rivals Core i9-9900; Xeon E7-4890 v2 rivals Xeon E5-2697 v2.
| Feature | Ryzen 9 3900 | Xeon E7-4890 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Workstation Desktop (low power) | Enterprise Server (Legacy) |
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