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 i5-9600 vs Xeon E5-4640 v3 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 i5-9600 vs Xeon E5-4640 v3: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-9600

2019

Why buy it

✅Costs $2,635 less on MSRP ($224 MSRP vs $2,859 MSRP).
✅Delivers 1169.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 46.0 vs 3.6 PassMark/$ ($224 MSRP vs $2,859 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 105W, a 40W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Xeon E5-4640 v3 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Xeon E5-4640 v3.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-4640 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (10,313 vs 10,372).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (9 MB vs 30 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-4640 v3, which brings 12 cores / 24 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-4640 v3

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+233.3% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 9 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 12 cores / 24 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 16.
✅150% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 3.6 vs 46.0 PassMark/$ ($2,859 MSRP vs $224 MSRP).
❌61.5% higher power demand at 105W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-9600 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-9600.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-4640 v3 better than Core i5-9600?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-4640 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-9600 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 E5-4640 v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 14.0% 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 E5-4640 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 233.3% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 9 MB).

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

Xeon E5-4640 v3 is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-9600 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E5-4640 v3 comes in 1176.3% more expensive on MSRP at $2,859 MSRP versus $224 MSRP, and it still gives you a 14.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-9600 is also 1169.1% better value on MSRP (46.0 vs 3.6 PassMark/$), 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 i5-9600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2015). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-9600 vs Xeon E5-4640 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-9600

The Core i5-9600 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 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 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: 10,313 points. Launch price was $213.

Xeon E5-4640 v3

The Xeon E5-4640 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 10,372 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-9600 packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Xeon E5-4640 v3 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Xeon E5-4640 v3 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-9600 versus 2.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-4640 v3 — a 55.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-9600 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The Core i5-9600 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-4640 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-9600 scores 10,313 against the Xeon E5-4640 v3's 10,372 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon E5-4640 v3. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,443 vs 750, a 63.2% lead for the Core i5-9600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-9600 vs 30 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-4640 v3.

Feature	Core i5-9600	Xeon E5-4640 v3
Cores / Threads	6 / 6	12 / 24+100%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+77%	2.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+63%	1.9 GHz
L3 Cache	9 MB (total)	30 MB (total)+233%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	10,313	10,372
Geekbench 6 Single	1,443+92%	750
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	7,000

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-9600 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-4640 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-9600 versus DDR4-1866 on the Xeon E5-4640 v3 — the Core i5-9600 supports 42.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-4640 v3 supports up to 768 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-9600) vs 4 (Xeon E5-4640 v3). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-9600) vs 40 (Xeon E5-4640 v3) — the Xeon E5-4640 v3 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: B360,H370,H310,Q370,Z390,B365 (Core i5-9600) and C612 (Xeon E5-4640 v3).

Feature	Core i5-9600	Xeon E5-4640 v3
Socket	LGA1151	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666+43%	DDR4-1866
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	768 GB+500%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	40+150%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-9600) vs Yes (Xeon E5-4640 v3). The Core i5-9600 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E5-4640 v3 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-9600 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-9600 rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i5-9600	Xeon E5-4640 v3
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	Yes
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-9600 was priced at $224, while the Xeon E5-4640 v3 came in at $2859. On launch pricing ($224 vs $2859), Core i5-9600 was $2635 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-9600 delivers 46.0 pts/$ vs 3.6 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-4640 v3 — making the Core i5-9600 the 170.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-9600	Xeon E5-4640 v3
MSRP	$224-92%	$2859
Performance per Dollar	46.0+1178%	3.6
Release Date	2019	2015

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