CPU
GPU
Xeon E7-4890 v2
Ryzen 9 3900
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 Xeon E7-4890 v2
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 9 3900
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E7-4890 v2 | Ryzen 9 3900 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($150) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 22 nm) | ✨ Modern (Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) / 7 nm, 12 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E7-4890 v2 | Ryzen 9 3900 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($150) |
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 E7-4890 v2 and Ryzen 9 3900
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.
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.
Processing Power
The Xeon E7-4890 v2 packs 15 cores / 30 threads, while the Ryzen 9 3900 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Xeon E7-4890 v2 has 3 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Xeon E7-4890 v2 versus 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen 9 3900 — a 23.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 3900 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Ryzen 9 3900 is built on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E7-4890 v2 scores 30,946 against the Ryzen 9 3900's 30,588 — a 1.2% lead for the Xeon E7-4890 v2. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 6,500 vs 17,700 (92.6% advantage for the Ryzen 9 3900). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 730 vs 1,713, a 80.5% lead for the Ryzen 9 3900 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,500 vs 10,983 (66.5% advantage for the Ryzen 9 3900). L3 cache: 37.5 MB on the Xeon E7-4890 v2 vs 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 3900.
| Feature | Xeon E7-4890 v2 | Ryzen 9 3900 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 15 / 30+25% | 12 / 24 |
| Boost Clock | 3.4 GHz | 4.3 GHz+26% |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz | 3.1 GHz+11% |
| L3 Cache | 37.5 MB | 64 MB+71% |
| L2 Cache | — | 512 kB (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm | 7 nm, 12 nm-68% |
| Architecture | — | Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) |
| PassMark | 30,946+1% | 30,588 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 6,500 | 17,700+172% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 730 | 1,713+135% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 5,500 | 10,983+100% |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E7-4890 v2 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 9 3900 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Xeon E7-4890 v2 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 9 3900 — 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: 4 (Xeon E7-4890 v2) vs 2 (Ryzen 9 3900). PCIe lanes: 32 (Xeon E7-4890 v2) vs 24 (Ryzen 9 3900) — the Xeon E7-4890 v2 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C602 (Xeon E7-4890 v2) and X570,B550,X470,B450 (Ryzen 9 3900).
| Feature | Xeon E7-4890 v2 | Ryzen 9 3900 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2011 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 4.0+33% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | DDR4-3200+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 1536 GB+1100% | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 4+100% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 32+33% | 24 |
Advanced Features
Only the Ryzen 9 3900 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon E7-4890 v2) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 9 3900). Primary use case: Xeon E7-4890 v2 targets Enterprise Server (Legacy), Ryzen 9 3900 targets Workstation Desktop (low power). Direct competitor: Xeon E7-4890 v2 rivals Xeon E5-2697 v2; Ryzen 9 3900 rivals Core i9-9900.
| Feature | Xeon E7-4890 v2 | Ryzen 9 3900 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Enterprise Server (Legacy) | Workstation Desktop (low power) |
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