Ryzen Z1 vs Xeon E5-2697 v3

Ryzen Z1 vs Xeon E5-2697 v3 Performance Spectrum

Ryzen Z1

6 / 12

18,406

+1.2%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Xeon E5-2697 v3

14 / 28

18,182

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 vs Xeon E5-2697 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 Z1 vs Xeon E5-2697 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 Z1

2023

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 145W, a 130W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FP8 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 35 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2697 v3, which brings 14 cores / 28 threads.

Xeon E5-2697 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅+118.8% larger total L3 cache (35 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 14 cores / 28 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (18,182 vs 18,406).
❌866.7% higher power demand at 145W vs 15W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2011 with DDR4, while Ryzen Z1 moves to FP8 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Z1 better than Xeon E5-2697 v3?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2697 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen Z1 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 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.4% 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 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Ryzen Z1 still makes the most sense overall. Ryzen Z1 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Ryzen Z1 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2014), a healthier platform with FP8 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011, and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 14/28. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Ryzen Z1 vs Xeon E5-2697 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Ryzen Z1

The Ryzen Z1 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in Maio 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Phoenix (Zen4) (2023) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 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: 18,406 points. Launch price was $299.

Xeon E5-2697 v3

The Xeon E5-2697 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 35 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 145 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 18,182 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Ryzen Z1 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-2697 v3 offers 14 cores / 28 threads — the Xeon E5-2697 v3 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Ryzen Z1 versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2697 v3 — a 30.6% clock advantage for the Ryzen Z1 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Ryzen Z1 uses the Phoenix (Zen4) (2023) architecture (4 nm), while the Xeon E5-2697 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen Z1 scores 18,406 against the Xeon E5-2697 v3's 18,182 — a 1.2% lead for the Ryzen Z1. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen Z1 vs 35 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2697 v3.

Feature	Ryzen Z1	Xeon E5-2697 v3
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	14 / 28+133%
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz+36%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+23%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)	35 MB (total)+119%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	4 nm-82%	22 nm
Architecture	Phoenix (Zen4) (2023)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	18,406+1%	18,182

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Memory & Platform

The Ryzen Z1 uses the FP8 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2697 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.