Ryzen 9 5900X
Xeon E3-1225 v3
Ryzen 9 5900X vs Xeon E3-1225 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 9 5900X vs Xeon E3-1225 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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Among Us
Apex Legends
ARC Raiders
Baldur's Gate 3
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Ryzen 9 5900X vs Xeon E3-1225 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 9 5900X
2020Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +200.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅+700% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 8 MB).
- ✅Delivers 198.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 71.0 vs 23.8 PassMark/$ ($549 MSRP vs $224 MSRP).
- ✅50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
Trade-offs
- ❌145.1% HIGHER MSRP$549 MSRPvs$224 MSRP
- ❌25% higher power demand at 105W vs 84W.
- ❌No integrated graphics, while Xeon E3-1225 v3 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
Xeon E3-1225 v3
2013Why buy it
- ✅Costs $325 less on MSRP ($224 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).
- ✅Draws 84W instead of 105W, a 21W reduction.
- ✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics P4600, while Ryzen 9 5900X needs a discrete GPU.
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 5900X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (2,000 vs 21,000).
- ❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 64 MB).
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 23.8 vs 71.0 PassMark/$ ($224 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).
Quick Answers
So, is Ryzen 9 5900X better than Xeon E3-1225 v3?
Which one is better for gaming?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 9 5900X vs Xeon E3-1225 v3 Technical Specifications
Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.
Ryzen 9 5900X
The Ryzen 9 5900X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 38,955 points. Launch price was $549.
Xeon E3-1225 v3
The Xeon E3-1225 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 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 84 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,324 points. Launch price was $384.
Processing Power
The Ryzen 9 5900X packs 12 cores / 24 threads, while the Xeon E3-1225 v3 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Ryzen 9 5900X has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5900X versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E3-1225 v3 — a 28.6% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900X (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Ryzen 9 5900X uses the Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Xeon E3-1225 v3 uses Haswell-WS (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 9 5900X scores 38,955 against the Xeon E3-1225 v3's 5,324 — a 151.9% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900X. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 21,000 vs 2,000 (165.2% advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900X). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,174 vs 1,108, a 65% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 11,888 vs 3,324 (112.6% advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900X). L3 cache: 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 5900X vs 8192 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1225 v3.
| Feature | Ryzen 9 5900X | Xeon E3-1225 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 12 / 24+200% | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 4.8 GHz+33% | 3.6 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.7 GHz+16% | 3.2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 64 MB+700% | 8192 kB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 512K (per core)+100% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 7 nm, 12 nm-68% | 22 nm |
| Architecture | Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) | Haswell-WS (2013−2014) |
| PassMark | 38,955+632% | 5,324 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 21,000+950% | 2,000 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,174+96% | 1,108 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 11,888+258% | 3,324 |
Memory & Platform
The Ryzen 9 5900X uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E3-1225 v3 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 9 5900X versus DDR3-1600 on the Xeon E3-1225 v3 — the Ryzen 9 5900X supports 100% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 9 5900X supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 24 (Ryzen 9 5900X) vs 16 (Xeon E3-1225 v3) — the Ryzen 9 5900X offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A320,B350,X370,B450,X470,B550,X570 (Ryzen 9 5900X) and C226,B85,Q87,H81,Z87 (Xeon E3-1225 v3).
| Feature | Ryzen 9 5900X | Xeon E3-1225 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM4 | LGA1150 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0+33% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-3200+100% | DDR3-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB+300% | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | Yes | Yes |
| PCIe Lanes | 24+50% | 16 |
Advanced Features
Only the Ryzen 9 5900X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Ryzen 9 5900X) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E3-1225 v3). The Xeon E3-1225 v3 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics P4600), while the Ryzen 9 5900X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 9 5900X targets Workstation, Xeon E3-1225 v3 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 9 5900X rivals Core i9-12900K; Xeon E3-1225 v3 rivals Core i5-4570.
| Feature | Ryzen 9 5900X | Xeon E3-1225 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | HD Graphics P4600 |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Workstation | Workstation |
Value Analysis
At launch, the Ryzen 9 5900X was priced at $549, while the Xeon E3-1225 v3 came in at $224. On launch pricing ($549 vs $224), Xeon E3-1225 v3 was $325 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 9 5900X delivers 71.0 pts/$ vs 23.8 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1225 v3 — making the Ryzen 9 5900X the 99.6% better value option.
| Feature | Ryzen 9 5900X | Xeon E3-1225 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $549 | $224-59% |
| Performance per Dollar | 71.0+198% | 23.8 |
| Release Date | 2020 | 2013 |
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