Core i9-10900F vs Xeon E5-2699 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 i9-10900F vs Xeon E5-2699 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 i9-10900F vs Xeon E5-2699 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 i9-10900F

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +18.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 65W instead of 145W, a 80W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Xeon E5-2699 v3.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (19,800 vs 20,028).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 45 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2699 v3, which brings 18 cores / 36 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.
❌Launch MSRP is still $464 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2699 v3 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-2699 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅+1.2% higher PassMark.
✅+125% larger total L3 cache (45 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 18 cores / 36 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 16.
✅150% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-10900F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌123.1% higher power demand at 145W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i9-10900F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-10900F better than Xeon E5-2699 v3?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2699 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i9-10900F 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 E5-2699 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 18 cores and 36 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 125% larger total L3 cache (45 MB vs 20 MB).

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

Core i9-10900F is the better buy right now. Core i9-10900F comes in at an unclear MSRP at $464 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 18.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2699 v3 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.2% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (42.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i9-10900F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2014). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i9-10900F vs Xeon E5-2699 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-10900F

The Core i9-10900F 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: 19,800 points. Launch price was $299.

Xeon E5-2699 v3

The Xeon E5-2699 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 45 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 145 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 20,028 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-10900F packs 10 cores / 20 threads, while the Xeon E5-2699 v3 offers 18 cores / 36 threads — the Xeon E5-2699 v3 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i9-10900F versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2699 v3 — a 34.5% clock advantage for the Core i9-10900F (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i9-10900F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2699 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-10900F scores 19,800 against the Xeon E5-2699 v3's 20,028 — a 1.1% lead for the Xeon E5-2699 v3. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i9-10900F vs 45 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2699 v3.

Feature	Core i9-10900F	Xeon E5-2699 v3
Cores / Threads	10 / 20	18 / 36+80%
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz+42%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+22%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	45 MB (total)+125%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	19,800	20,028+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	13,500	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,701	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,456	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-10900F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-2699 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2933 on the Core i9-10900F versus 2400 on the Xeon E5-2699 v3 — the Core i9-10900F supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-2699 v3 supports up to 1536 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 1100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i9-10900F) vs 4 (Xeon E5-2699 v3). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i9-10900F) vs 40 (Xeon E5-2699 v3) — the Xeon E5-2699 v3 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: B460,H470,Z490,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i9-10900F) and C612 (Xeon E5-2699 v3).

Feature	Core i9-10900F	Xeon E5-2699 v3
Socket	LGA1200	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2933+22%	2400
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	1536 GB+1100%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	40+150%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Primary use case: Core i9-10900F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i9-10900F rivals Ryzen 7 3800X; Xeon E5-2699 v3 rivals Xeon Silver 4114.