Core i5-9500F vs Xeon E5-2687W

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.

Core i5-9500F vs Xeon E5-2687W FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-9500F vs Xeon E5-2687W: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-9500F

2019

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,698 less on MSRP ($187 MSRP vs $1,885 MSRP).
✅Delivers 902.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 53.4 vs 5.3 PassMark/$ ($187 MSRP vs $1,885 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 150W, a 85W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Xeon E5-2687W.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2687W across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (9,985 vs 10,036).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (9 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2687W, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads.

Xeon E5-2687W

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+122.2% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 9 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.3 vs 53.4 PassMark/$ ($1,885 MSRP vs $187 MSRP).
❌130.8% higher power demand at 150W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-9500F.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2687W better than Core i5-9500F?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2687W makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-9500F is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-2687W is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 12.6% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2687W is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 122.2% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 9 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Xeon E5-2687W is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-9500F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E5-2687W comes in 908.0% more expensive on MSRP at $1,885 MSRP versus $187 MSRP, and it still gives you a 12.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-9500F is also 902.9% better value on MSRP (53.4 vs 5.3 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-9500F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-9500F vs Xeon E5-2687W Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i5-9500F

The Core i5-9500F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 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: 9,985 points. Launch price was $192.

Xeon E5-2687W

The Xeon E5-2687W 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 3.1 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): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 10,036 points. Launch price was $815.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-9500F packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Xeon E5-2687W offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-2687W has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-9500F versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-2687W — a 14.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-9500F (base: 3 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i5-9500F uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2687W uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-9500F scores 9,985 against the Xeon E5-2687W's 10,036 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon E5-2687W. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-9500F vs 20480 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2687W.

Feature	Core i5-9500F	Xeon E5-2687W
Cores / Threads	6 / 6	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+16%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.1 GHz+3%
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	9,985	10,036
Geekbench 6 Single	1,479	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-9500F uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2687W uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-9500F	Xeon E5-2687W
Socket	LGA1151	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-9500F) / not specified (Xeon E5-2687W). Primary use case: Core i5-9500F targets Gaming Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-9500F rivals Ryzen 5 3500X.

Feature	Core i5-9500F	Xeon E5-2687W
Integrated GPU	No	—
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Gaming Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-9500F was priced at $187, while the Xeon E5-2687W came in at $1885. On launch pricing ($187 vs $1885), Core i5-9500F was $1698 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-9500F delivers 53.4 pts/$ vs 5.3 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2687W — making the Core i5-9500F the 163.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-9500F	Xeon E5-2687W
MSRP	$187-90%	$1885
Performance per Dollar	53.4+908%	5.3
Release Date	2019	2012

Search Core i5-9500F on Amazon

Search Xeon E5-2687W on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.