AMD Athlon 3000G vs Intel Xeon E7-8880L v2
Buy the Athlon 3000G for a cheap, quiet, low-power desktop that needs no graphics card. Buy the Xeon E7-8880L v2 only if you already run an HP ProLiant DL580 Gen8 and need a 15-core replacement chip. They are not interchangeable: different sockets, different platforms, and the Xeon has no integrated graphics. No current prices were provided for either part, so compare store prices on this page before deciding.
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AMD Athlon 3000G
AMD Athlon 3000G Desktop Processor
Choose the Athlon 3000G if you are building or upgrading a budget AM4 desktop for office work, browsing, and 1080p video, and want integrated Radeon Vega 3 graphics with a 35 W TDP.
- Runs without a graphics card thanks to Radeon Vega 3
- 35 W TDP keeps builds cool and quiet
- Unlocked, so you can push past 3.5 GHz
- Cheap AM4 platform with DDR4 support
What separates them
| AMD Athlon 3000G | Intel Xeon E7-8880L v2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM4 | Socket R LGA-2011 |
| Cores / threads | 2 cores, 4 threads | 15 cores, 30 threads |
| Clock speed | 3.5 GHz base, 3.8 GHz boost with overclock | 2.20 GHz base, 2.80 GHz boost |
| Integrated graphics | Radeon Vega 3, 1080p output, no discrete card needed | None |
| TDP | 35 W | 105 W |
| Memory | DDR4, dual channel, 2667 MHz | Server memory on LGA-2011 platform |
| Cache | Small consumer cache | 37.5 MB L3, 3.75 MB L2, 960 KB L1 |
| Platform fit |
Price history
- AMD Athlon 3000G: lowest $29.99 on Nov 3 at eBay.
- Intel Xeon E7-8880L v2: lowest $349.00 on Nov 3 at Global One Technology.
Prices at every store
AMD Athlon 3000G
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Intel Xeon E7-8880L v2
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Specs compared
| Spec | AMD Athlon 3000G | Intel Xeon E7-8880L v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket Type | AM4 | Socket R LGA-2011 |
| Clock Speed | 3.5 GHz | 2.20 GHz |
| Number Of Cores | 2 | 15 |
| Boost Clock Speed | 3.8GHz (reported max clock speed with overclock) | 2.80 GHz |
| Thermal Design Power (TDP) | 35 W | 105 W |
| Motherboard Socket Type | AM4 | — |
| RAM Type | DDR4 | — |
| RAM Maximum Capacity | 16GB | — |
| RAM Speed | 2667 MHz | — |
| GPU Manufacturer | AMD | — |
What reviewers say
AMD Athlon 3000G
- 4.9 / 527 ratings
Buyers rate it highly for everyday use, calling it reliable, easy to install and good value. The main complaint is that it reportedly does not support PCIe NVMe drives.
- ValuePraisedBuyers say it delivers solid everyday performance for a low price.
- InstallationPraisedOwners describe fitting it to an AM4 board as quick and easy.
- Noise
Questions and answers
- Which is better for a budget desktop?
- The Athlon 3000G. It fits AM4 boards, has integrated graphics, and runs at 35 W. The Xeon needs an LGA-2011 server board and a separate GPU.
- Which has more cores?
- The Xeon E7-8880L v2, with 15 cores and 30 threads against 2 cores and 4 threads on the Athlon.
- Can I game on the Athlon 3000G?
- Only lightly. Vega 3 handles 1080p video and older or low-setting games. It is not a gaming chip.
- Does the Xeon work in a normal desktop?
- No. It is built for the HP ProLiant DL580 Gen8 on Socket R LGA-2011 and has no integrated graphics.
- Which runs cooler?
- The Athlon at 35 W TDP. The Xeon is rated 105 W and needs server-grade cooling.
- Is the Xeon worth the extra cost?
- Only for DL580 Gen8 owners who need cores and cache. For a home desktop, the Athlon is the practical pick.