Core i7-9700 vs Xeon E-2146G

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 i7-9700 vs Xeon E-2146G 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 i7-9700 vs Xeon E-2146G: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-9700

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 65W instead of 80W, a 15W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E-2146G, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $333 MSRP, while Xeon E-2146G mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Xeon E-2146G.

Xeon E-2146G

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-9700.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (6,385 vs 7,202).
❌23.1% higher power demand at 80W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-9700 better than Xeon E-2146G?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E-2146G makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-9700 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 i7-9700 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 13.1% 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 i7-9700 is the stronger fit. You are getting 12.8% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-9700 is the better buy right now. Core i7-9700 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $333 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 13.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (39.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-9700 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-9700 vs Xeon E-2146G Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-9700

The Core i7-9700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,206 points. Launch price was $323.

Xeon E-2146G

The Xeon E-2146G is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 July 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 13,240 points. Launch price was $317.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-9700 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E-2146G offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-9700 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-9700 versus 4.5 GHz on the Xeon E-2146G — a 4.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700 (base: 3 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i7-9700 uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E-2146G uses Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700 scores 13,206 against the Xeon E-2146G's 13,240 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon E-2146G. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,570 vs 1,557, a 0.8% lead for the Core i7-9700 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 7,202 vs 6,385 (12% advantage for the Core i7-9700). Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-9700	Xeon E-2146G
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+33%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz+4%	4.5 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.5 GHz+17%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019)
PassMark	13,206	13,240
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,540	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,570	1,557
Geekbench 6 Multi	7,202+13%	6,385

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1151 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR4-2666 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: LGA1151 (Core i7-9700) and C242,C246 (Xeon E-2146G).

Feature	Core i7-9700	Xeon E-2146G
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700) vs Yes (Xeon E-2146G). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-9700) and UHD Graphics P630 (Xeon E-2146G) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU.