Core i9-10900 vs Xeon E5-2690 v4

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 i9-10900 vs Xeon E5-2690 v4 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 i9-10900 vs Xeon E5-2690 v4: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-10900

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +25.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $1,607 less on MSRP ($483 MSRP vs $2,090 MSRP).
✅Delivers 330.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 39.7 vs 9.2 PassMark/$ ($483 MSRP vs $2,090 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 135W, a 70W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (19,163 vs 19,255).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 35 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2690 v4, which brings 14 cores / 28 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-2690 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅+75% larger total L3 cache (35 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 14 cores / 28 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 0.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-10900 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 9.2 vs 39.7 PassMark/$ ($2,090 MSRP vs $483 MSRP).
❌107.7% higher power demand at 135W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-10900 better than Xeon E5-2690 v4?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2690 v4 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i9-10900 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 E5-2690 v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 28 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 75% larger total L3 cache (35 MB vs 20 MB).

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

Core i9-10900 is the better buy right now. Core i9-10900 comes in $1,607 cheaper on MSRP at $483 MSRP versus $2,090 MSRP, and it still gives you a 25.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2690 v4 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.5% better PassMark. It is also 330.6% better value on MSRP (39.7 vs 9.2 PassMark/$), 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 i9-10900 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2016). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i9-10900 vs Xeon E5-2690 v4 Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-10900

The Core i9-10900 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 19,163 points. Launch price was $299.

Xeon E5-2690 v4

The Xeon E5-2690 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 35 MB. L2 cache: 3.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 135 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 19,255 points. Launch price was $2,090.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i9-10900 packs 10 cores / 20 threads, while the Xeon E5-2690 v4 offers 14 cores / 28 threads — the Xeon E5-2690 v4 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i9-10900 versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2690 v4 — a 37.2% clock advantage for the Core i9-10900 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i9-10900 uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2690 v4 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-10900 scores 19,163 against the Xeon E5-2690 v4's 19,255 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon E5-2690 v4. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i9-10900 vs 35 MB on the Xeon E5-2690 v4.

Feature	Core i9-10900	Xeon E5-2690 v4
Cores / Threads	10 / 20	14 / 28+40%
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz+46%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+8%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	35 MB+75%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+7214%	3.5 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Broadwell (2015−2019)
PassMark	19,163	19,255

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-10900 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2690 v4 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i9-10900	Xeon E5-2690 v4
Socket	LGA1200	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	—	1536 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-10900 was priced at $483, while the Xeon E5-2690 v4 came in at $2090. On launch pricing ($483 vs $2090), Core i9-10900 was $1607 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-10900 delivers 39.7 pts/$ vs 9.2 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2690 v4 — making the Core i9-10900 the 124.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-10900	Xeon E5-2690 v4
MSRP	$483-77%	$2090
Performance per Dollar	39.7+332%	9.2
Release Date	2020	2016

Search Core i9-10900 on Amazon

Search Xeon E5-2690 v4 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.