Ryzen Z1 Extreme vs Xeon Gold 5220

Ryzen Z1 Extreme vs Xeon Gold 5220 Performance Spectrum

Ryzen Z1 Extreme

8 / 16

24,668

+0.8%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Xeon Gold 5220

18 / 36

24,480

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 Z1 Extreme vs Xeon Gold 5220 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 Z1 Extreme vs Xeon Gold 5220: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Ryzen Z1 Extreme

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +30.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 15W instead of 125W, a 110W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FP8 with DDR5 support instead of LGA3647 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 25 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon Gold 5220, which brings 18 cores / 36 threads.

Xeon Gold 5220

2019

Why buy it

✅+54.7% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 18 cores / 36 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Z1 Extreme across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (24,480 vs 24,668).
❌733.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 15W.
❌Older platform position on LGA3647 with DDR4, while Ryzen Z1 Extreme moves to FP8 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Z1 Extreme better than Xeon Gold 5220?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon Gold 5220 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen Z1 Extreme 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 Z1 Extreme is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 30.7% 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 Z1 Extreme is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Ryzen Z1 Extreme still makes the most sense overall. Ryzen Z1 Extreme comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 30.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Ryzen Z1 Extreme makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2019), a healthier platform with FP8 and DDR5 instead of LGA3647, and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 18/36. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Ryzen Z1 Extreme vs Xeon Gold 5220 Technical Specifications

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

Ryzen Z1 Extreme

The Ryzen Z1 Extreme is manufactured by AMD. It was released in Maio 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Phoenix (Zen 4) (2023) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 24,668 points. Launch price was $299.

Xeon Gold 5220

The Xeon Gold 5220 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 24.75 MB. L2 cache: 18 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2667. Passmark benchmark score: 24,480 points. Launch price was $1,555.

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Processing Power

The Ryzen Z1 Extreme packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon Gold 5220 offers 18 cores / 36 threads — the Xeon Gold 5220 has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Ryzen Z1 Extreme versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5220 — a 26.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen Z1 Extreme (base: 3.3 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Ryzen Z1 Extreme uses the Phoenix (Zen 4) (2023) architecture (4 nm), while the Xeon Gold 5220 uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen Z1 Extreme scores 24,668 against the Xeon Gold 5220's 24,480 — a 0.8% lead for the Ryzen Z1 Extreme. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen Z1 Extreme vs 24.75 MB on the Xeon Gold 5220.

Feature	Ryzen Z1 Extreme	Xeon Gold 5220
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	18 / 36+125%
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz+31%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+50%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)	24.75 MB+55%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	18 MB+1700%
Process	4 nm-71%	14 nm
Architecture	Phoenix (Zen 4) (2023)	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark	24,668	24,480

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Memory & Platform

The Ryzen Z1 Extreme uses the FP8 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 5220 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.