Core i5-9500 vs Xeon E5-2690
Core i5-9500
Xeon E5-2690
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 Core i5-9500
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2690
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-9500 | Xeon E5-2690 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($65) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($150) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake (2017−2019) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-9500 | Xeon E5-2690 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+132%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($65) | ⚠️ 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 Core i5-9500 and Xeon E5-2690
Core i5-9500
The Core i5-9500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 9,829 points. Launch price was $192.
Xeon E5-2690
The Xeon E5-2690 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 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 135 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 9,764 points. Launch price was $397.
Processing Power
The Core i5-9500 packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Xeon E5-2690 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-2690 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-9500 versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-2690 — a 14.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-9500 (base: 3 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i5-9500 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2690 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-9500 scores 9,829 against the Xeon E5-2690's 9,764 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i5-9500. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-9500 vs 20480 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2690.
| Feature | Core i5-9500 | Xeon E5-2690 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 6 | 8 / 16+33% |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz+16% | 3.8 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3 GHz+3% | 2.9 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 9 MB (total) | 20480 kB (total)+122% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm-56% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Coffee Lake (2017−2019) | Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) |
| PassMark | 9,829 | 9,764 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,468 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-9500 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2690 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-9500 versus DDR3-1600 on the Xeon E5-2690 — the Core i5-9500 supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-2690 supports up to 384 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-9500) vs 4 (Xeon E5-2690). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-9500) vs 40 (Xeon E5-2690) — the Xeon E5-2690 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: B360,H370,H310,Q370,Z390,B365 (Core i5-9500) and Intel X79,Intel C602 (Xeon E5-2690).
| Feature | Core i5-9500 | Xeon E5-2690 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA2011 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2666+33% | DDR3-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 384 GB+200% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 4+100% |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 40+150% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-9500) / not specified (Xeon E5-2690). The Core i5-9500 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E5-2690 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-9500 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-9500 rivals Ryzen 5 2600.
| Feature | Core i5-9500 | Xeon E5-2690 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | UHD Graphics 630 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | — |
| Target Use | Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-9500 launched at $192 MSRP, while the Xeon E5-2690 debuted at $2057. At current prices ($65 vs $150), the Core i5-9500 is $85 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-9500 delivers 151.2 pts/$ vs 65.1 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2690 — making the Core i5-9500 the 79.6% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-9500 | Xeon E5-2690 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $192-91% | $2057 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $65-57% | $150 |
| Performance per Dollar | 151.2+132% | 65.1 |
| Release Date | 2019 | 2012 |
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