Core i7-9700K vs Xeon E3-1505M v5

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 i7-9700K vs Xeon E3-1505M v5 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 i7-9700K vs Xeon E3-1505M v5: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-9700K

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +93.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Xeon E3-1505M v5 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 37.4 vs 60.8 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $115 MSRP).
❌111.1% higher power demand at 95W vs 45W.

Xeon E3-1505M v5

2015

Why buy it

✅Costs $270 less on MSRP ($115 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
✅Delivers 62.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 60.8 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($115 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
✅Draws 45W instead of 95W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,995 vs 14,397).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-9700K better than Xeon E3-1505M v5?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1505M v5 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-9700K 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 i7-9700K is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 93.4% 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 i7-9700K is the stronger fit. You are getting 105.8% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Core i7-9700K is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i7-9700K comes in 234.8% more expensive on MSRP at $385 MSRP versus $115 MSRP, and it still gives you a 93.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E3-1505M v5 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 93.4% in the shared gaming data.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i7-9700K makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2015), 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-9700K vs Xeon E3-1505M v5 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-9700K

The Core i7-9700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,397 points. Launch price was $374.

Xeon E3-1505M v5

The Xeon E3-1505M v5 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-H (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,995 points. Launch price was $434.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-9700K packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E3-1505M v5 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-9700K has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon E3-1505M v5 — a 27.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i7-9700K uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1505M v5 uses Skylake-H (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700K scores 14,397 against the Xeon E3-1505M v5's 6,995 — a 69.2% lead for the Core i7-9700K. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1505M v5.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Xeon E3-1505M v5
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+100%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz+32%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+29%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+50%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Skylake-H (2015−2016)
PassMark	14,397+106%	6,995

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1505M v5 uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Xeon E3-1505M v5
Socket	LGA1151	BGA1440
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	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K) / not specified (Xeon E3-1505M v5). The Core i7-9700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E3-1505M v5 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Xeon E3-1505M v5
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-9700K was priced at $385, while the Xeon E3-1505M v5 came in at $115. On launch pricing ($385 vs $115), Xeon E3-1505M v5 was $270 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700K delivers 37.4 pts/$ vs 60.8 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1505M v5 — making the Xeon E3-1505M v5 the 47.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Xeon E3-1505M v5
MSRP	$385	$115-70%
Performance per Dollar	37.4	60.8+63%
Release Date	2018	2015

Search Core i7-9700K on Amazon

Search Xeon E3-1505M v5 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.