Xeon E5-2660 vs Ryzen 7 3700X
Xeon E5-2660
Ryzen 7 3700X
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. The Xeon E5-2660 is positioned at rank #963 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. 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 Xeon E5-2660
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 7 3700X
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E5-2660 | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($65) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($140) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) / 32 nm) | ✨ Modern (Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) / 7 nm, 12 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E5-2660 | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+29%) |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($65) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($140) |
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 Xeon E5-2660 and Ryzen 7 3700X
Xeon E5-2660
The Xeon E5-2660 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 8,067 points. Launch price was $85.
Ryzen 7 3700X
The Ryzen 7 3700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 22,430 points. Launch price was $329.
Processing Power
Both the Xeon E5-2660 and Ryzen 7 3700X share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2660 versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X — a 37.8% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 3700X (base: 2.2 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Xeon E5-2660 uses the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2660 scores 8,067 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 22,430 — a 94.2% lead for the Ryzen 7 3700X. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2660 vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2660 | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 16 | 8 / 16 |
| Boost Clock | 3 GHz | 4.4 GHz+47% |
| Base Clock | 2.2 GHz | 3.6 GHz+64% |
| L3 Cache | 20480 kB (total) | 32 MB+60% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 512K (per core)+100% |
| Process | 32 nm | 7 nm, 12 nm-78% |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) | Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) |
| PassMark | 8,067 | 22,430+178% |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E5-2660 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Xeon E5-2660 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 3700X — the Ryzen 7 3700X supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-2660 supports up to 384 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Xeon E5-2660) vs 2 (Ryzen 7 3700X). PCIe lanes: 40 (Xeon E5-2660) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 3700X) — the Xeon E5-2660 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel X79,Intel C602 (Xeon E5-2660) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 7 3700X).
| Feature | Xeon E5-2660 | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2011 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 4.0+100% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | DDR4-3200+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 384 GB+200% | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 4+100% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 40+67% | 24 |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E5-2660 launched at $1329 MSRP, while the Ryzen 7 3700X debuted at $329. At current prices ($65 vs $140), the Xeon E5-2660 is $75 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-2660 delivers 124.1 pts/$ vs 160.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 3700X — making the Ryzen 7 3700X the 25.4% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2660 | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $1329 | $329-75% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $65-54% | $140 |
| Performance per Dollar | 124.1 | 160.2+29% |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2019 |
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