Core i9-10900TE vs Xeon E5-4660 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 i9-10900TE vs Xeon E5-4660 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 i9-10900TE vs Xeon E5-4660 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 i9-10900TE

2020

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 120W, a 85W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (14,159 vs 14,167).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 35 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-4660 v3, which brings 14 cores / 28 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $309 MSRP, while Xeon E5-4660 v3 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-4660 v3

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅+75% larger total L3 cache (35 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 14 cores / 28 threads.

Trade-offs

❌242.9% higher power demand at 120W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-10900TE better than Xeon E5-4660 v3?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-4660 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i9-10900TE 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 E5-4660 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% 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 i9-10900TE is the better buy right now. Core i9-10900TE comes in at an unclear MSRP at $309 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-4660 v3 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.1% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (45.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i9-10900TE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2015). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i9-10900TE vs Xeon E5-4660 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-10900TE

The Core i9-10900TE 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 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,159 points. Launch price was $488.

Xeon E5-4660 v3

The Xeon E5-4660 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 35 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,167 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-10900TE packs 10 cores / 20 threads, while the Xeon E5-4660 v3 offers 14 cores / 28 threads — the Xeon E5-4660 v3 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i9-10900TE versus 2.9 GHz on the Xeon E5-4660 v3 — a 43.2% clock advantage for the Core i9-10900TE (base: 1.8 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i9-10900TE uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-4660 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-10900TE scores 14,159 against the Xeon E5-4660 v3's 14,167 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E5-4660 v3. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i9-10900TE vs 35 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-4660 v3.

Feature	Core i9-10900TE	Xeon E5-4660 v3
Cores / Threads	10 / 20	14 / 28+40%
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz+55%	2.9 GHz
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	2.1 GHz+17%
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	35 MB (total)+75%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	14,159	14,167

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-10900TE uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-4660 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.