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 i7-10700F vs Xeon E5-2690 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 i7-10700F vs Xeon E5-2690 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 i7-10700F

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +21.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $1,780 less on MSRP ($310 MSRP vs $2,090 MSRP).
✅Delivers 578.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 52.1 vs 7.7 PassMark/$ ($310 MSRP vs $2,090 MSRP).
✅Draws 125W instead of 135W, a 10W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock Cooler), unlike Xeon E5-2690 v3.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 30 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2690 v3, which brings 12 cores / 24 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-2690 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 16 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

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-10700F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (16,027 vs 16,139).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.7 vs 52.1 PassMark/$ ($2,090 MSRP vs $310 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-10700F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-10700F better than Xeon E5-2690 v3?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2690 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-10700F is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-10700F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 21.4% 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, Core i7-10700F is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Core i7-10700F is the better buy right now. Core i7-10700F comes in $1,780 cheaper on MSRP at $310 MSRP versus $2,090 MSRP, and it still gives you a 21.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 578.9% better value on MSRP (52.1 vs 7.7 PassMark/$), 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 i7-10700F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2014) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 12/24. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-10700F vs Xeon E5-2690 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-10700F

The Core i7-10700F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 16,139 points. Launch price was $299.

Xeon E5-2690 v3

The Xeon E5-2690 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 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 135 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 16,027 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-10700F packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E5-2690 v3 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Xeon E5-2690 v3 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-10700F versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2690 v3 — a 31.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-10700F (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i7-10700F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2690 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-10700F scores 16,139 against the Xeon E5-2690 v3's 16,027 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i7-10700F. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i7-10700F vs 30 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2690 v3.

Feature	Core i7-10700F	Xeon E5-2690 v3
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	12 / 24+50%
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz+37%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+12%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)	30 MB (total)+88%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	16,139	16,027
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,000	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,250	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	7,800	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-10700F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2690 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2933 on the Core i7-10700F versus DDR4-2133 on the Xeon E5-2690 v3 — the Core i7-10700F supports 37.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-2690 v3 supports up to 768 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-10700F) vs 4 (Xeon E5-2690 v3). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-10700F) vs 40 (Xeon E5-2690 v3) — the Xeon E5-2690 v3 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,Z590 (Core i7-10700F) and Intel X99,Intel C612 (Xeon E5-2690 v3).

Feature	Core i7-10700F	Xeon E5-2690 v3
Socket	LGA1200	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2933+38%	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	768 GB+500%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	40+150%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-10700F) / not specified (Xeon E5-2690 v3). Primary use case: Core i7-10700F targets Gaming/Content Creation. Direct competitor: Core i7-10700F rivals Ryzen 5 5600X.

Feature	Core i7-10700F	Xeon E5-2690 v3
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Gaming/Content Creation	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-10700F was priced at $310, while the Xeon E5-2690 v3 came in at $2090. On launch pricing ($310 vs $2090), Core i7-10700F was $1780 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-10700F delivers 52.1 pts/$ vs 7.7 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2690 v3 — making the Core i7-10700F the 148.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-10700F	Xeon E5-2690 v3
MSRP	$310-85%	$2090
Performance per Dollar	52.1+577%	7.7
Release Date	2020	2014

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