Core i9-11900KB vs Xeon W-2255

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 W-2255 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 W-2255: 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

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅+24.7% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 19 MB).
✅Costs $239 less on MSRP ($539 MSRP vs $778 MSRP).
✅Delivers 45.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 42.1 vs 28.9 PassMark/$ ($539 MSRP vs $778 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 165W, a 100W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W-2255 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon W-2255, which brings 10 cores / 20 threads.

Xeon W-2255

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 10 cores / 20 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (22,504 vs 22,693).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (19 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 28.9 vs 42.1 PassMark/$ ($778 MSRP vs $539 MSRP).
❌153.8% higher power demand at 165W 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 W-2255?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W-2255 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, Core i9-11900KB is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 24.7% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 19 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 $239 cheaper on MSRP at $539 MSRP versus $778 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon W-2255 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 7.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 45.6% better value on MSRP (42.1 vs 28.9 PassMark/$), 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 2019), 24.7% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 19 MB), more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 10/20, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i9-11900KB vs Xeon W-2255 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 W-2255

The Xeon W-2255 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 19.25 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 22,504 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-11900KB packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon W-2255 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon W-2255 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i9-11900KB versus 4.7 GHz on the Xeon W-2255 — a 4.2% clock advantage for the Core i9-11900KB (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i9-11900KB is built on the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i9-11900KB scores 22,693 against the Xeon W-2255's 22,504 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i9-11900KB. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-11900KB vs 19.25 MB on the Xeon W-2255.

Feature	Core i9-11900KB	Xeon W-2255
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	10 / 20+25%
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz+4%	4.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz	3.7 GHz+12%
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)+25%	19.25 MB
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	—
Process	10 nm SuperFin-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Tiger Lake-H (2021)	—
PassMark	22,693	22,504
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,264	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	10,645	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-11900KB uses the FCBGA1787 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W-2255 uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i9-11900KB	Xeon W-2255
Socket	FCBGA1787	LGA2066
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	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-11900KB) / not specified (Xeon W-2255). The Core i9-11900KB includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics), while the Xeon W-2255 requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i9-11900KB	Xeon W-2255
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	Yes	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-11900KB was priced at $539, while the Xeon W-2255 came in at $778. On launch pricing ($539 vs $778), Core i9-11900KB was $239 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-11900KB delivers 42.1 pts/$ vs 28.9 pts/$ for the Xeon W-2255 — making the Core i9-11900KB the 37.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-11900KB	Xeon W-2255
MSRP	$539-31%	$778
Performance per Dollar	42.1+46%	28.9
Release Date	2021	2019

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