Core i5-9600T vs Xeon E3-1285 v6

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 i5-9600T vs Xeon E3-1285 v6 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 i5-9600T vs Xeon E3-1285 v6: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-9600T

2019

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $237 less on MSRP ($213 MSRP vs $450 MSRP).
✅Delivers 113.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 45.1 vs 21.1 PassMark/$ ($213 MSRP vs $450 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 79W, a 44W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E3-1285 v6 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E3-1285 v6, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads.

Xeon E3-1285 v6

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +39.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (9,502 vs 9,601).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 21.1 vs 45.1 PassMark/$ ($450 MSRP vs $213 MSRP).
❌125.7% higher power demand at 79W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-9600T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-9600T better than Xeon E3-1285 v6?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1285 v6 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-9600T is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-9600T is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads.

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

Core i5-9600T is the better buy right now. Core i5-9600T comes in $237 cheaper on MSRP at $213 MSRP versus $450 MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E3-1285 v6 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 39.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 113.5% better value on MSRP (45.1 vs 21.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-9600T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2017) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 6 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-9600T vs Xeon E3-1285 v6 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-9600T

The Core i5-9600T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2019 (6 years ago). It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 9,601 points. Launch price was $149.

Xeon E3-1285 v6

The Xeon E3-1285 v6 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 August 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake-DT (2017) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 79 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400, DDR3L-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 9,502 points. Launch price was $450.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-9600T packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Xeon E3-1285 v6 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-9600T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-9600T versus 4.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1285 v6 — a 14.3% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1285 v6 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 4.1 GHz). The Xeon E3-1285 v6 is built on the Kaby Lake-DT (2017) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i5-9600T scores 9,601 against the Xeon E3-1285 v6's 9,502 — a 1% lead for the Core i5-9600T. L3 cache: 9 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core i5-9600T vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1285 v6.

Feature	Core i5-9600T	Xeon E3-1285 v6
Cores / Threads	6 / 6+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	4.5 GHz+15%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	4.1 GHz+78%
L3 Cache	9 MB Intel® Smart Cache+13%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	—	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	—	Kaby Lake-DT (2017)
PassMark	9,601+1%	9,502
Geekbench 6 Single	1,344	—

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1151 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Core i5-9600T	Xeon E3-1285 v6
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-9600T) / not specified (Xeon E3-1285 v6). The Core i5-9600T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E3-1285 v6 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-9600T targets Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-9600T rivals Ryzen 5 2400G.

Feature	Core i5-9600T	Xeon E3-1285 v6
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Low Power Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-9600T was priced at $213, while the Xeon E3-1285 v6 came in at $450. On launch pricing ($213 vs $450), Core i5-9600T was $237 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-9600T delivers 45.1 pts/$ vs 21.1 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1285 v6 — making the Core i5-9600T the 72.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-9600T	Xeon E3-1285 v6
MSRP	$213-53%	$450
Performance per Dollar	45.1+114%	21.1
Release Date	2019	2017

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