Core i7-8809G vs Xeon E5-2665

Intel

Core i7-8809G

4 Cores8 Thrd100 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2018
VS
Intel

Xeon E5-2665

8 Cores16 Thrd115 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2012

Core i7-8809G vs Xeon E5-2665 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 i7-8809G vs Xeon E5-2665 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 i7-8809G vs Xeon E5-2665: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-8809G

2018

Why buy it

  • βœ…Draws 100W instead of 115W, a 15W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 20 MB).
  • ❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2665, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.
  • ❌Launch MSRP is still $450 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2665 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-2665

2012

Why buy it

  • βœ…+150% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 8 MB).
  • βœ…Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 0.
  • βœ…100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark (8,293 vs 8,448).
  • ❌15% higher power demand at 115W vs 100W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-8809G better than Xeon E5-2665?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2665 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-8809G 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 i7-8809G is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.5% 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 i7-8809G is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.9% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i7-8809G is the better buy right now. Core i7-8809G comes in at an unclear MSRP at $450 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (18.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-8809G makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 8/16. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-8809G vs Xeon E5-2665 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i7-8809G

The Core i7-8809G is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake G (2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2270. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 8,448 points. Launch price was $149.

Intel

Xeon E5-2665

The Xeon E5-2665 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 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 115 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 8,293 points. Launch price was $142.

⚑

Processing Power

The Core i7-8809G packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2665 offers 8 cores / 16 threads β€” the Xeon E5-2665 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i7-8809G versus 3.1 GHz on the Xeon E5-2665 β€” a 30.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-8809G (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i7-8809G uses the Kaby Lake G (2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2665 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-8809G scores 8,448 against the Xeon E5-2665's 8,293 β€” a 1.9% lead for the Core i7-8809G. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-8809G vs 20480 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2665.

FeatureCore i7-8809GXeon E5-2665
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
8 / 16+100%
Boost Clock
4.2 GHz+35%
3.1 GHz
Base Clock
3.1 GHz+29%
2.4 GHz
L3 Cache
8 MB (total)
20480 kB (total)+150%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
256 kB (per core)
Process
14 nm-56%
32 nm
Architecture
Kaby Lake G (2018)
Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
PassMark
8,448+2%
8,293
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-8809G uses the FCBGA2270 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2665 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 5.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i7-8809GXeon E5-2665
Socket
FCBGA2270
LGA2011
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed
β€”
DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity
β€”
384 GB
RAM Channels
β€”
4
ECC Support
β€”
Yes
PCIe Lanes
β€”
40
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-8809G) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E5-2665). Primary use case: Xeon E5-2665 targets Server.

FeatureCore i7-8809GXeon E5-2665
Integrated GPU
β€”
No
Unlocked
β€”
No
AVX-512
β€”
Yes
Virtualization
β€”
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
β€”
Server