Core i7-9700K vs Xeon W-1390

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-1390 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-1390: 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: +15.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $109 less on MSRP ($385 MSRP vs $494 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Xeon W-1390 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (14,397 vs 23,902).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon W-1390, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 37.4 vs 48.4 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $494 MSRP).
❌18.8% higher power demand at 95W vs 80W.

Xeon W-1390

2021

Why buy it

✅+66% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads.
✅Delivers 29.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 48.4 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($494 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.
❌
28.3% HIGHER MSRP
$494 MSRPvs$385 MSRP
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W-1390 better than Core i7-9700K?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W-1390 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-1390 is the stronger fit. You are getting 66% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Xeon W-1390 is the better buy right now. Xeon W-1390 comes in 28.3% more expensive on MSRP at $494 MSRP versus $385 MSRP, and it still gives you 66% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-9700K is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 15.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 29.4% better value on MSRP (48.4 vs 37.4 PassMark/$), 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-1390 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2018), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 8/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-9700K vs Xeon W-1390 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 W-1390

The Xeon W-1390 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 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 16 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: 23,902 points. Launch price was $494.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-9700K packs 8 cores / 8 threads, matching the Xeon W-1390's 8 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K versus 5.1 GHz on the Xeon W-1390 — a 4% clock advantage for the Xeon W-1390 (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 W-1390 uses Rocket Lake-S (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700K scores 14,397 against the Xeon W-1390's 23,902 — a 49.6% lead for the Xeon W-1390. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K vs 16 MB (total) on the Xeon W-1390.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Xeon W-1390
Cores / Threads	8 / 8	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz	5.1 GHz+4%
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+29%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	16 MB (total)+33%
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	23,902+66%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W-1390 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Xeon W-1390
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
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 W-1390). The Core i7-9700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon W-1390 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Xeon W-1390
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 W-1390 came in at $494. On launch pricing ($385 vs $494), Core i7-9700K was $109 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700K delivers 37.4 pts/$ vs 48.4 pts/$ for the Xeon W-1390 — making the Xeon W-1390 the 25.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Xeon W-1390
MSRP	$385-22%	$494
Performance per Dollar	37.4	48.4+29%
Release Date	2018	2021

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