Core i9-11900H vs Xeon E5-2686 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 i9-11900H vs Xeon E5-2686 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 i9-11900H vs Xeon E5-2686 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 i9-11900H

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 35W instead of 145W, a 110W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 45 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2686 v4, which brings 18 cores / 36 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-2686 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (45 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 18 cores / 36 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 i9-11900H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (19,860 vs 20,009).
❌314.3% higher power demand at 145W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-11900H better than Xeon E5-2686 v4?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2686 v4 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i9-11900H is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-11900H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.2% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-11900H is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Core i9-11900H still makes the most sense overall. Core i9-11900H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i9-11900H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2016) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 18/36. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i9-11900H vs Xeon E5-2686 v4 Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-11900H

The Core i9-11900H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 May 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1787. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 20,009 points. Launch price was $546.

Xeon E5-2686 v4

The Xeon E5-2686 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 45 MB. L2 cache: 4.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCLGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 145 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 19,860 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-11900H packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E5-2686 v4 offers 18 cores / 36 threads — the Xeon E5-2686 v4 has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i9-11900H versus 3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2686 v4 — a 48.1% clock advantage for the Core i9-11900H (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i9-11900H uses the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Xeon E5-2686 v4 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-11900H scores 20,009 against the Xeon E5-2686 v4's 19,860 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i9-11900H. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-11900H vs 45 MB on the Xeon E5-2686 v4.

Feature	Core i9-11900H	Xeon E5-2686 v4
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	18 / 36+125%
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz+63%	3 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	2.3 GHz+10%
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)	45 MB+88%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	4.5 MB+260%
Process	10 nm SuperFin-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Tiger Lake-H (2021)	Broadwell (2015−2019)
PassMark	20,009	19,860
Geekbench 6 Single	—	895
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	6,822

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-11900H uses the FCBGA1787 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-2686 v4 uses FCLGA2011-3 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i9-11900H	Xeon E5-2686 v4
Socket	FCBGA1787	FCLGA2011-3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	—	1536 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40