Xeon Gold 5420+ vs Ryzen 7 3700X
Xeon Gold 5420+
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. 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 Gold 5420+
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 7 3700X
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon Gold 5420+ | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($1,848) | ✅ More affordable ($140) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) / 10 nm) | ✨ Modern (Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) / 7 nm, 12 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon Gold 5420+ | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+409%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($1,848) | ✅ More affordable ($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 Gold 5420+ and Ryzen 7 3700X
Xeon Gold 5420+
The Xeon Gold 5420+ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. It features 28 cores and 56 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 52.5 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4400. Passmark benchmark score: 58,209 points. Launch price was $1,848.
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
The Xeon Gold 5420+ packs 28 cores / 56 threads, while the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon Gold 5420+ has 20 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5420+ versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X — a 7.1% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 3700X (base: 2 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Xeon Gold 5420+ uses the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 5420+ scores 58,209 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 22,430 — a 88.7% lead for the Xeon Gold 5420+. L3 cache: 52.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 5420+ vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 5420+ | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 28 / 56+250% | 8 / 16 |
| Boost Clock | 4.1 GHz | 4.4 GHz+7% |
| Base Clock | 2 GHz | 3.6 GHz+80% |
| L3 Cache | 52.5 MB+64% | 32 MB |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core)+300% | 512K (per core) |
| Process | 10 nm | 7 nm, 12 nm-30% |
| Architecture | Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) | Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) |
| PassMark | 58,209+160% | 22,430 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon Gold 5420+ uses the LGA4677 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 4800 on the Xeon Gold 5420+ versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 3700X — the Xeon Gold 5420+ supports 199.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 5420+ supports up to 4096 of RAM compared to 128 GB — 187.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (Xeon Gold 5420+) vs 2 (Ryzen 7 3700X). PCIe lanes: 80 (Xeon Gold 5420+) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 3700X) — the Xeon Gold 5420+ offers 56 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C741 (Xeon Gold 5420+) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 7 3700X).
| Feature | Xeon Gold 5420+ | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA4677 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 4800+119900% | DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 4096 | 128 GB+3276700% |
| RAM Channels | 8+300% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 80+233% | 24 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 5420+) / not specified (Ryzen 7 3700X). Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 5420+ rivals EPYC 9354.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 5420+ | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | Yes | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
Value Analysis
The Xeon Gold 5420+ launched at $1848 MSRP, while the Ryzen 7 3700X debuted at $329. At current prices ($1848 vs $140), the Ryzen 7 3700X is $1708 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 5420+ delivers 31.5 pts/$ vs 160.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 3700X — making the Ryzen 7 3700X the 134.3% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 5420+ | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $1848 | $329-82% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $1848 | $140-92% |
| Performance per Dollar | 31.5 | 160.2+409% |
| Release Date | 2023 | 2019 |
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