
Core i9-10900 vs Xeon W-1290E

Core i9-10900

Xeon W-1290E
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i9-10900
Performance Per Dollar Xeon W-1290E
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i9-10900 | Xeon W-1290E |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($426) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Comet Lake (2020−2025) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Comet Lake (2020−2025) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i9-10900 | Xeon W-1290E |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($426) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i9-10900 and Xeon W-1290E

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 W-1290E
The Xeon W-1290E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 13 May 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 19,060 points. Launch price was $552.
Processing Power
Both the Core i9-10900 and Xeon W-1290E share an identical 10-core/20-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i9-10900 versus 4.8 GHz on the Xeon W-1290E — a 6.1% clock advantage for the Core i9-10900 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). Both are built on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture using a 14 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i9-10900 scores 19,163 against the Xeon W-1290E's 19,060 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i9-10900. Both processors carry 20 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core i9-10900 | Xeon W-1290E |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 10 / 20 | 10 / 20 |
| Boost Clock | 5.1 GHz+6% | 4.8 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz | 3.5 GHz+25% |
| L3 Cache | 20 MB (total) | 20 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Comet Lake (2020−2025) | Comet Lake (2020−2025) |
| PassMark | 19,163 | 19,060 |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the LGA1200 socket with PCIe 3.0.
| Feature | Core i9-10900 | Xeon W-1290E |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1200 | LGA1200 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
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