Core i7-9850HE vs Xeon E5-2687W

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 i7-9850HE vs Xeon E5-2687W 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 i7-9850HE vs Xeon E5-2687W: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-9850HE

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.9% higher average FPS across 36 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 150W, a 105W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 630, while Xeon E5-2687W needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (9,972 vs 10,036).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (9 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2687W, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads.

Xeon E5-2687W

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅+122.2% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 9 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9850HE across 36 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,885 MSRP, while Core i7-9850HE mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌233.3% higher power demand at 150W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9850HE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-9850HE better than Xeon E5-2687W?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2687W makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-9850HE 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 E5-2687W is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 122.2% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 9 MB).

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

Core i7-9850HE is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-2687W is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-9850HE comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,885 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.9% average FPS lead across 36 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2687W is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.6% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2687W is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (5.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-9850HE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-9850HE vs Xeon E5-2687W Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-9850HE

The Core i7-9850HE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Junho 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-HR (2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 9,972 points. Launch price was $149.

Xeon E5-2687W

The Xeon E5-2687W is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 10,036 points. Launch price was $815.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-9850HE packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-2687W offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-2687W has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i7-9850HE versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-2687W — a 14.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-9850HE (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i7-9850HE uses the Coffee Lake-HR (2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2687W uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9850HE scores 9,972 against the Xeon E5-2687W's 10,036 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon E5-2687W. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i7-9850HE vs 20480 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2687W.

Feature	Core i7-9850HE	Xeon E5-2687W
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+16%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	3.1 GHz+15%
L3 Cache	9 MB (total)	20480 kB (total)+122%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-HR (2019)	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
PassMark	9,972	10,036
Geekbench 6 Single	1,329	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,990	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9850HE uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2687W uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-9850HE	Xeon E5-2687W
Socket	BGA1440	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4 2666 MHz	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i7-9850HE) / not specified (Xeon E5-2687W). The Core i7-9850HE includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E5-2687W requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9850HE targets Embedded.