Core i7-9700K vs Xeon W-1350

Intel

Core i7-9700K

8 Cores8 Thrd95 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2018
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Xeon W-1350

6 Cores12 Thrd80 WWMax: 5 GHz2021
Similar parts
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Core i7-9700K vs Xeon W-1350 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 i7-9700K vs Xeon W-1350 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 W-1350: 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: +28.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (14,397 vs 18,742).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon W-1350, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads and 20 PCIe lanes.
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 37.4 vs 73.5 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $255 MSRP).
  • 18.8% higher power demand at 95W vs 80W.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Xeon W-1350.

Xeon W-1350

2021

Why buy it

  • +30.2% higher PassMark.
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads, plus 20 PCIe lanes vs 16.
  • Costs $130 less on MSRP ($255 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
  • Delivers 96.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 73.5 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($255 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
  • Draws 80W instead of 95W, a 15W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W-1350 better than Core i7-9700K?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W-1350 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 W-1350 is the stronger fit. You are getting 30.2% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon W-1350 is the better buy right now. Xeon W-1350 comes in $130 cheaper on MSRP at $255 MSRP versus $385 MSRP, and it still gives you 30.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-9700K is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 28.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 96.5% better value on MSRP (73.5 vs 37.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Xeon W-1350 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2018), more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 8/8, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-9700K vs Xeon W-1350 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

Intel

Xeon W-1350

The Xeon W-1350 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 May 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake-S (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 18,742 points. Launch price was $255.

Processing Power

The Core i7-9700K packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon W-1350 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-9700K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K versus 5 GHz on the Xeon W-1350 — a 2% clock advantage for the Xeon W-1350 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i7-9700K uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon W-1350 uses Rocket Lake-S (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700K scores 14,397 against the Xeon W-1350's 18,742 — a 26.2% lead for the Xeon W-1350. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

FeatureCore i7-9700KXeon W-1350
Cores / Threads
8 / 8+33%
6 / 12
Boost Clock
4.9 GHz
5 GHz+2%
Base Clock
3.6 GHz+9%
3.3 GHz
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
12 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
512 kB (per core)+100%
Process
14 nm
14 nm
Architecture
Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
Rocket Lake-S (2021)
PassMark
14,397
18,742+30%
Geekbench 6 Single
2,140
Geekbench 6 Multi
9,104
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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W-1350 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K versus DDR4-3200 on the Xeon W-1350 — the Xeon W-1350 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-9700K) vs 20 (Xeon W-1350) — the Xeon W-1350 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K) and W580,C252,C256 (Xeon W-1350).

FeatureCore i7-9700KXeon W-1350
Socket
LGA1151
LGA1200
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
DDR4-3200+20%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
16
20+25%
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Xeon W-1350 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K) vs Yes (Xeon W-1350). Both include integrated graphics UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-9700K) and UHD Graphics P750 (Xeon W-1350) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop.

FeatureCore i7-9700KXeon W-1350
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 630
UHD Graphics P750
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Yes
Target Use
Desktop
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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-9700K was priced at $385, while the Xeon W-1350 came in at $255. On launch pricing ($385 vs $255), Xeon W-1350 was $130 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700K delivers 37.4 pts/$ vs 73.5 pts/$ for the Xeon W-1350 — making the Xeon W-1350 the 65.1% better value option.

FeatureCore i7-9700KXeon W-1350
MSRP
$385
$255-34%
Performance per Dollar
37.4
73.5+97%
Release Date
2018
2021

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