Core i7-10700F vs Xeon E5-2698B V3

Intel

Core i7-10700F

8 Cores16 Thrd125 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2020
Core family
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VS
Intel

Xeon E5-2698B V3

16 Cores32 Thrd135 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2015
Similar parts
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Core i7-10700F vs Xeon E5-2698B V3 Performance Spectrum

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.

Core i7-10700F vs Xeon E5-2698B 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 E5-2698B 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: +13.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 125W instead of 135W, a 10W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Stock Cooler), unlike Xeon E5-2698B V3.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (16,139 vs 16,287).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 40 MB).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2698B V3, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads.
  • Launch MSRP is still $310 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2698B V3 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-2698B V3

2015

Why buy it

  • +0.9% higher PassMark.
  • +150% larger total L3 cache (40 MB vs 16 MB).
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-10700F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-10700F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-10700F better than Xeon E5-2698B V3?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2698B 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 streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2698B V3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 150% larger total L3 cache (40 MB vs 16 MB).
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 at an unclear MSRP at $310 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 13.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2698B V3 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.9% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (52.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2015). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-10700F vs Xeon E5-2698B V3 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

Intel

Xeon E5-2698B V3

The Xeon E5-2698B V3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 40 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 135 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 16,287 points. Launch price was $800.

Processing Power

The Core i7-10700F packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E5-2698B V3 offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Xeon E5-2698B V3 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-10700F versus 3.4 GHz on the Xeon E5-2698B V3 — a 34.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-10700F (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i7-10700F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2698B V3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-10700F scores 16,139 against the Xeon E5-2698B V3's 16,287 — a 0.9% lead for the Xeon E5-2698B V3. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i7-10700F vs 40 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2698B V3.

FeatureCore i7-10700FXeon E5-2698B V3
Cores / Threads
8 / 16
16 / 32+100%
Boost Clock
4.8 GHz+41%
3.4 GHz
Base Clock
2.9 GHz+45%
2 GHz
L3 Cache
16 MB (total)
40 MB (total)+150%
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
16,287
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 E5-2698B V3 uses LGA2011-3 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i7-10700FXeon E5-2698B V3
Socket
LGA1200
LGA2011-3
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2933
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 i7-10700F) / not specified (Xeon E5-2698B V3). Primary use case: Core i7-10700F targets Gaming/Content Creation. Direct competitor: Core i7-10700F rivals Ryzen 5 5600X.

FeatureCore i7-10700FXeon E5-2698B V3
Integrated GPU
No
IGPU Model
None
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Gaming/Content Creation