Core i9-11900KB 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 i9-11900KB 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 i9-11900KB 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 i9-11900KB

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 65W instead of 135W, a 70W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics, while Xeon E5-2698 v4 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (22,693 vs 22,764).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 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 $539 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2698 v4 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-2698 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅+108.3% larger total L3 cache (50 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 20 cores / 40 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-11900KB across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌107.7% higher power demand at 135W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-11900KB can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-11900KB 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 i9-11900KB 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 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 20 cores and 40 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 108.3% larger total L3 cache (50 MB vs 24 MB).

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

Core i9-11900KB is the better buy right now. Core i9-11900KB comes in at an unclear MSRP at $539 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2698 v4 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.3% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (42.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i9-11900KB makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2016) and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i9-11900KB vs Xeon E5-2698 v4 Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-11900KB

The Core i9-11900KB is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Maio 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 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): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 22,693 points. Launch price was $539.

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.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i9-11900KB packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E5-2698 v4 offers 20 cores / 40 threads — the Xeon E5-2698 v4 has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i9-11900KB versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2698 v4 — a 30.6% clock advantage for the Core i9-11900KB (base: 3.3 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i9-11900KB uses the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Xeon E5-2698 v4 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-11900KB scores 22,693 against the Xeon E5-2698 v4's 22,764 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon E5-2698 v4. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-11900KB vs 50 MB on the Xeon E5-2698 v4.

Feature	Core i9-11900KB	Xeon E5-2698 v4
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	20 / 40+150%
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz+36%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+50%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)	50 MB+108%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	5 MB+300%
Process	10 nm SuperFin-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Tiger Lake-H (2021)	Broadwell (2015−2019)
PassMark	22,693	22,764
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,264	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	10,645	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-11900KB uses the FCBGA1787 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2698 v4 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i9-11900KB	Xeon E5-2698 v4
Socket	FCBGA1787	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-11900KB) / not specified (Xeon E5-2698 v4). The Core i9-11900KB includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics), while the Xeon E5-2698 v4 requires a dedicated GPU.