Core i7-9700K vs Xeon E5-4667 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 i7-9700K vs Xeon E5-4667 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 i7-9700K vs Xeon E5-4667 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 i7-9700K

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +21.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 95W instead of 135W, a 40W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Xeon E5-4667 v3 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (14,397 vs 15,397).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 40 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-4667 v3, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 37.4 vs 120.3 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $128 MSRP).

Xeon E5-4667 v3

2015

Why buy it

✅+6.9% higher PassMark.
✅+233.3% larger total L3 cache (40 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads.
✅Costs $257 less on MSRP ($128 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
✅Delivers 221.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 120.3 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($128 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌42.1% higher power demand at 135W vs 95W.
❌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 E5-4667 v3?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-4667 v3 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 streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-4667 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 6.9% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 233.3% larger total L3 cache (40 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i7-9700K is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-4667 v3 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-9700K comes in 200.8% more expensive on MSRP at $385 MSRP versus $128 MSRP, and it still gives you a 21.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-4667 v3 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 6.9% better PassMark. Xeon E5-4667 v3 is also 221.7% better value on MSRP (120.3 vs 37.4 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-9700K vs Xeon E5-4667 v3 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 E5-4667 v3

The Xeon E5-4667 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 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 40 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 135 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 15,397 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-9700K packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-4667 v3 offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Xeon E5-4667 v3 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K versus 2.9 GHz on the Xeon E5-4667 v3 — a 51.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i7-9700K uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-4667 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700K scores 14,397 against the Xeon E5-4667 v3's 15,397 — a 6.7% lead for the Xeon E5-4667 v3. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K vs 40 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-4667 v3.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Xeon E5-4667 v3
Cores / Threads	8 / 8	16 / 32+100%
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz+69%	2.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+80%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	40 MB (total)+233%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	14,397	15,397+7%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-4667 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Xeon E5-4667 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: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K) / not specified (Xeon E5-4667 v3). The Core i7-9700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E5-4667 v3 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Xeon E5-4667 v3
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-9700K was priced at $385, while the Xeon E5-4667 v3 came in at $128. On launch pricing ($385 vs $128), Xeon E5-4667 v3 was $257 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700K delivers 37.4 pts/$ vs 120.3 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-4667 v3 — making the Xeon E5-4667 v3 the 105.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Xeon E5-4667 v3
MSRP	$385	$128-67%
Performance per Dollar	37.4	120.3+222%
Release Date	2018	2015

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