Core i7-9700KF vs Xeon E5-4660 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 i7-9700KF vs Xeon E5-4660 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 i7-9700KF vs Xeon E5-4660 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 i7-9700KF

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +24.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 95W instead of 120W, a 25W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 35 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-4660 v3, which brings 14 cores / 28 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $374 MSRP, while Xeon E5-4660 v3 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-4660 v3

2015

Why buy it

✅+191.7% larger total L3 cache (35 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 14 cores / 28 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700KF across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (14,167 vs 14,250).
❌26.3% higher power demand at 120W vs 95W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-9700KF better than Xeon E5-4660 v3?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-4660 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-9700KF 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 i7-9700KF is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 24.3% 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 i7-9700KF is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-9700KF is the better buy right now. Core i7-9700KF comes in at an unclear MSRP at $374 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 24.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (38.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-9700KF makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2015) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 14/28. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-9700KF vs Xeon E5-4660 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-9700KF

The Core i7-9700KF is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) 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: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 14,250 points. Launch price was $374.

Xeon E5-4660 v3

The Xeon E5-4660 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 35 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,167 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-9700KF packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-4660 v3 offers 14 cores / 28 threads — the Xeon E5-4660 v3 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700KF versus 2.9 GHz on the Xeon E5-4660 v3 — a 51.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700KF (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i7-9700KF uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-4660 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700KF scores 14,250 against the Xeon E5-4660 v3's 14,167 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i7-9700KF. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700KF vs 35 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-4660 v3.

Feature	Core i7-9700KF	Xeon E5-4660 v3
Cores / Threads	8 / 8	14 / 28+75%
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz+69%	2.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+71%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	35 MB (total)+192%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	14,250	14,167
Geekbench 6 Single	1,659	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	7,072	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9700KF uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-4660 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.