Core i7-9700E vs Xeon E5-1660 v3

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 i7-9700E vs Xeon E5-1660 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 i7-9700E vs Xeon E5-1660 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 i7-9700E

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $821 less on MSRP ($259 MSRP vs $1,080 MSRP).
✅Delivers 316.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 48.6 vs 11.7 PassMark/$ ($259 MSRP vs $1,080 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 140W, a 75W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (12,575 vs 12,582).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-1660 v3, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads.

Xeon E5-1660 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700E across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.7 vs 48.6 PassMark/$ ($1,080 MSRP vs $259 MSRP).
❌115.4% higher power demand at 140W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9700E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-9700E better than Xeon E5-1660 v3?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1660 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-9700E 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 E5-1660 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i7-9700E is the better buy right now. Core i7-9700E comes in $821 cheaper on MSRP at $259 MSRP versus $1,080 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-1660 v3 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.1% better PassMark. It is also 316.8% better value on MSRP (48.6 vs 11.7 PassMark/$), 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 i7-9700E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2014). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-9700E vs Xeon E5-1660 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-9700E

The Core i7-9700E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 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: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 12,575 points. Launch price was $149.

Xeon E5-1660 v3

The Xeon E5-1660 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1333, DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 12,582 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-9700E packs 8 cores / 8 threads, matching the Xeon E5-1660 v3's 8 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i7-9700E versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-1660 v3 — a 22.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700E (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i7-9700E uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-1660 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700E scores 12,575 against the Xeon E5-1660 v3's 12,582 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E5-1660 v3. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700E vs 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1660 v3.

Feature	Core i7-9700E	Xeon E5-1660 v3
Cores / Threads	8 / 8	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+26%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	3 GHz+15%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	20 MB (total)+67%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	12,575	12,582
Cinebench R23 Multi	6,800	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,172	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	6,802	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9700E uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1660 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-9700E	Xeon E5-1660 v3
Socket	LGA1151	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
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: Yes (Core i7-9700E) / not specified (Xeon E5-1660 v3). The Core i7-9700E includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E5-1660 v3 requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i7-9700E	Xeon E5-1660 v3
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	Yes	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-9700E was priced at $259, while the Xeon E5-1660 v3 came in at $1080. On launch pricing ($259 vs $1080), Core i7-9700E was $821 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700E delivers 48.6 pts/$ vs 11.7 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-1660 v3 — making the Core i7-9700E the 122.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-9700E	Xeon E5-1660 v3
MSRP	$259-76%	$1080
Performance per Dollar	48.6+315%	11.7
Release Date	2019	2014

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