AMD Ryzen 5 150 vs AMD Ryzen 7 3700X Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clear split between the two processors. Across the eleven shared benchmark tests, the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X wins nine, while the AMD Ryzen 5 150 wins only two. The magnitude of those victories, however, tells a more nuanced story than the raw win count.

The Ryzen 7 3700X dominates in nearly every multithreaded and throughput-oriented workload. Its largest edge appears in passmark_find_prime_numbers, where it scores 99 against the Ryzen 5 150's 47, a delta of -52.5% from the latter's perspective. This is the single biggest gap in the entire comparison. Data compression follows closely: the Ryzen 7 3700X records 296,379 versus 211,289, a 28.7% deficit for the Ryzen 5 150. Random string sorting shows a 30.3% gap (32,131 vs 22,382), while data encryption trails by 29% (18,900 vs 13,425). The Ryzen 7 3700X also leads in extended instructions by 23.7% (19,241 vs 14,675) and in multithread score by 22.1% (22,458 vs 17,492).

The physics benchmark reinforces this pattern. The Ryzen 7 3700X posts 1,181 versus 806, a 31.8% advantage. Floating point math is closer but still favors the older chip: 39,005 versus 35,118, a 10% gap. Integer math is the narrowest multithreaded margin, with the Ryzen 7 3700X ahead by only 6.4% (66,399 vs 62,151).

The Ryzen 5 150's two wins are both single-thread tests, and they are decisive. In passmark_single_thread, it scores 3,155 against 2,656 for the Ryzen 7 3700X, an 18.8% advantage. The duplicate passmark_singlethread test shows identical numbers, confirming the result. This is a substantial single-core lead, indicating the newer Zen 3+ architecture extracts significantly more performance per thread than the older Zen 2 design.

Looking at average benchmark scores, the two chips are remarkably close overall. The Ryzen 5 150 averages 34,881 across its benchmark suite, while the Ryzen 7 3700X averages 34,260. That is a difference of less than 2%, despite the Ryzen 7 3700X winning nine of eleven head-to-head tests. The explanation lies in the Ryzen 5 150's strong single-thread showing and the fact that several multithreaded tests, particularly integer math and floating point, are relatively close. Both processors sit at the 84th percentile among all CPUs in the database, underscoring how evenly matched they are in aggregate.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 7 3700X is the clear choice for workloads that scale across cores. Its eight cores and sixteen threads give it a structural advantage over the Ryzen 5 150's six cores and twelve threads. Compression, encryption, sorting, physics simulation, and prime number calculations all favor the Ryzen 7 3700X by margins ranging from 6.4% to 52.5%. For users running heavily threaded applications, the data consistently points to the Ryzen 7 3700X.

The Ryzen 5 150 wins exclusively in single-thread performance. Its 18.8% lead in passmark_single_thread suggests that applications relying on one or two cores, such as older games, lightly threaded productivity tools, or responsiveness-bound tasks, will feel snappier on the Ryzen 5 150. The boost clock of 4.55 GHz on the Ryzen 5 150 versus 4.40 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X partially explains this, but the architectural efficiency of Zen 3+ plays a larger role.

It is worth remembering the Ryzen 5 150 achieves its performance at a 35 W TDP, while the Ryzen 7 3700X is rated at 65 W. The database does not record power consumption in benchmarks, so no direct efficiency ratio can be calculated, but the TDP difference suggests the Ryzen 5 150 delivers its single-thread advantage with a much lower thermal envelope.

The Verdict

The choice between these two processors depends entirely on the target workload. The Ryzen 7 3700X is the stronger all-around performer for multithreaded tasks, winning nine of eleven benchmark tests and posting particularly large margins in prime number finding, data compression, and physics. Its 32 MB of L3 cache and eight-core layout make it well suited for content creation, compilation, and other parallel workloads.

The Ryzen 5 150 is the better option for single-thread-sensitive applications. Its 18.8% lead in single-thread score is the largest margin recorded in either direction on that test. The newer Zen 3+ architecture, 6 nm process, and higher boost clock all contribute to this advantage. For users who prioritize responsiveness in lightly threaded tasks, the Ryzen 5 150 has a clear edge.

The average benchmark scores tell the final story: 34,881 for the Ryzen 5 150 versus 34,260 for the Ryzen 7 3700X, a spread of roughly 1.8% in favor of the newer chip. Both sit at the 84th percentile. The Ryzen 7 3700X wins more tests, but the Ryzen 5 150 wins the aggregate by a narrow margin. Neither processor is a clear overall victor; the data supports selecting based on thread count needs versus single-thread performance.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-thread score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 150 scores 3,155 in passmark_single_thread, which is 18.8% higher than the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X's 2,656.

Q: How large is the multithread performance gap?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 3700X leads in passmark_multithread with 22,458 versus 17,492 for the AMD Ryzen 5 150, a 22.1% difference.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 3700X has eight cores and sixteen threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 150 has six cores and twelve threads.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 150 is rated at 35 W, while the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X is rated at 65 W.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No, neither the AMD Ryzen 5 150 nor the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X supports ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 150 boosts to 4.55 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X boosts to 4.40 GHz.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations. The AMD Ryzen 5 150 uses Zen 3+ architecture, codenamed Rembrandt-R, while the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X uses Zen 2, codenamed Matisse. This generational gap explains much of the performance divergence between them.

The manufacturing process differs as well. The Ryzen 5 150 is built on a 6 nm process, while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses a 7 nm process. Both are fabricated by TSMC, but the smaller node gives the Ryzen 5 150 a density and efficiency advantage. The Ryzen 5 150 has a die size of 210 mm², notably larger than the Ryzen 7 3700X's 74 mm². The Ryzen 7 3700X has a declared transistor count of 3,800 million; the Ryzen 5 150's transistor count is not recorded in the database.

Cache layouts differ significantly. Both processors have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache, however, is doubled on the Ryzen 7 3700X: it has 32 MB shared, while the Ryzen 5 150 has only 16 MB shared. This larger cache likely contributes to the Ryzen 7 3700X's strong showing in data compression and sorting workloads.

Memory support reflects the architectural divide. The Ryzen 5 150 supports DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, while the Ryzen 7 3700X supports DDR4 with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The Ryzen 5 150's memory bandwidth is 50% higher, which helps its single-thread and lightly threaded performance. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

The integrated graphics also differ. The Ryzen 5 150 includes a Radeon 660M GPU, while the Ryzen 7 3700X has no integrated graphics. This makes the Ryzen 5 150 a more complete package for systems without a discrete GPU. PCIe support shows a minor difference: the Ryzen 7 3700X offers Gen 4 with 24 lanes, while the Ryzen 5 150 offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are the most obvious distinction: the Ryzen 7 3700X has eight cores and sixteen threads, the Ryzen 5 150 has six cores and twelve threads. Base clocks differ slightly, with the Ryzen 7 3700X at 3.60 GHz and the Ryzen 5 150 at 3.30 GHz. Boost clocks reverse the order: the Ryzen 5 150 reaches 4.55 GHz, the Ryzen 7 3700X reaches 4.40 GHz.

TDP ratings are substantially different. The Ryzen 5 150 draws only 35 W, while the Ryzen 7 3700X is rated at 65 W. Sockets are incompatible: the Ryzen 5 150 uses AMD Socket FP7, while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses AMD Socket AM4. The Ryzen 7 3700X has an unlocked multiplier, while the Ryzen 5 150 does not.

Memory support differs by generation: DDR5 for the Ryzen 5 150, DDR4 for the Ryzen 7 3700X. Memory bandwidth follows accordingly, with the Ryzen 5 150 at 76.8 GB/s and the Ryzen 7 3700X at 51.2 GB/s. L3 cache favors the Ryzen 7 3700X at 32 MB versus 16 MB.

Market segments differ: the Ryzen 5 150 is classified as mobile, the Ryzen 7 3700X as desktop. Release dates are far apart: the Ryzen 7 3700X launched in July 2019, the Ryzen 5 150 in September 2025. The Ryzen 7 3700X carries a launch MSRP of $329; no launch MSRP is recorded for the Ryzen 5 150. The Ryzen 7 3700X has an integrated GPU absent, while the Ryzen 5 150 includes Radeon 660M graphics.