Core i9-10900K vs Xeon E5-2698 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 i9-10900K vs Xeon E5-2698 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 i9-10900K vs Xeon E5-2698 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 i9-10900K

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 125W instead of 135W, a 10W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Xeon E5-2698 v4 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (22,382 vs 22,764).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 50 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2698 v4, which brings 20 cores / 40 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $499 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2698 v4 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-2698 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅+1.7% higher PassMark.
✅+150% larger total L3 cache (50 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 20 cores / 40 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-10900K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-10900K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-10900K better than Xeon E5-2698 v4?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2698 v4 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i9-10900K 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 E5-2698 v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.7% better PassMark, backed by 20 cores and 40 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 150% larger total L3 cache (50 MB vs 20 MB).

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

Core i9-10900K is the better buy right now. Core i9-10900K comes in at an unclear MSRP at $499 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 13.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2698 v4 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.7% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (44.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i9-10900K 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 i9-10900K vs Xeon E5-2698 v4 Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-10900K

The Core i9-10900K 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 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 22,382 points. Launch price was $488.

Xeon E5-2698 v4

The Xeon E5-2698 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 20 cores and 40 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 50 MB. L2 cache: 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: 22,764 points. Launch price was $3,226.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-10900K packs 10 cores / 20 threads, while the Xeon E5-2698 v4 offers 20 cores / 40 threads — the Xeon E5-2698 v4 has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.2 GHz on the Core i9-10900K versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2698 v4 — a 36.4% clock advantage for the Core i9-10900K (base: 3.7 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i9-10900K uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2698 v4 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-10900K scores 22,382 against the Xeon E5-2698 v4's 22,764 — a 1.7% lead for the Xeon E5-2698 v4. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i9-10900K vs 50 MB on the Xeon E5-2698 v4.

Feature	Core i9-10900K	Xeon E5-2698 v4
Cores / Threads	10 / 20	20 / 40+100%
Boost Clock	5.2 GHz+44%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+68%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	50 MB+150%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	5 MB+1900%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Broadwell (2015−2019)
PassMark	22,382	22,764+2%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-10900K uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2698 v4 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i9-10900K	Xeon E5-2698 v4
Socket	LGA1200	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2933	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-10900K) / not specified (Xeon E5-2698 v4). The Core i9-10900K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E5-2698 v4 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-10900K targets Desktop.