Core i9-12900TE vs Xeon E5-4640 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 i9-12900TE vs Xeon E5-4640 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 i9-12900TE vs Xeon E5-4640 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 i9-12900TE

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +19.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $2,343 less on MSRP ($494 MSRP vs $2,837 MSRP).
✅Delivers 482.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 46.3 vs 8.0 PassMark/$ ($494 MSRP vs $2,837 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 105W, a 70W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-4640 v4, which brings 12 cores / 24 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-4640 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 12 cores / 24 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 i9-12900TE across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (22,559 vs 22,887).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.0 vs 46.3 PassMark/$ ($2,837 MSRP vs $494 MSRP).
❌200% higher power demand at 105W vs 35W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2011 with DDR4, while Core i9-12900TE moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-12900TE better than Xeon E5-4640 v4?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-4640 v4 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i9-12900TE 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 i9-12900TE is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 19.7% 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 i9-12900TE is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.5% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 24 threads.

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

Core i9-12900TE is the better buy right now. Core i9-12900TE comes in $2,343 cheaper on MSRP at $494 MSRP versus $2,837 MSRP, and it still gives you a 19.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 482.6% better value on MSRP (46.3 vs 8.0 PassMark/$), 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 i9-12900TE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2016), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011, and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 24 threads instead of 12/24. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-12900TE vs Xeon E5-4640 v4 Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-12900TE

The Core i9-12900TE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 22,887 points. Launch price was $299.

Xeon E5-4640 v4

The Xeon E5-4640 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 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 22,559 points. Launch price was $2,837.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-12900TE packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Xeon E5-4640 v4 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Core i9-12900TE has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i9-12900TE versus 2.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-4640 v4 — a 59.5% clock advantage for the Core i9-12900TE (base: 1.1 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i9-12900TE uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (10 nm), while the Xeon E5-4640 v4 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-12900TE scores 22,887 against the Xeon E5-4640 v4's 22,559 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i9-12900TE. L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900TE vs 30 MB on the Xeon E5-4640 v4.

Feature	Core i9-12900TE	Xeon E5-4640 v4
Cores / Threads	16 / 24+33%	12 / 24
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz+85%	2.6 GHz
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	2.1 GHz+91%
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)	30 MB
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	3 MB+140%
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Broadwell (2015−2019)
PassMark	22,887+1%	22,559

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-12900TE uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E5-4640 v4 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i9-12900TE	Xeon E5-4640 v4
Socket	LGA1700	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4 2133 MHz
Max RAM Capacity	—	1.5 TB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i9-12900TE) / true (Xeon E5-4640 v4). Primary use case: Xeon E5-4640 v4 targets Server.

Feature	Core i9-12900TE	Xeon E5-4640 v4
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	true
Target Use	—	Server

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-12900TE was priced at $494, while the Xeon E5-4640 v4 came in at $2837. On launch pricing ($494 vs $2837), Core i9-12900TE was $2343 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-12900TE delivers 46.3 pts/$ vs 8.0 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-4640 v4 — making the Core i9-12900TE the 141.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-12900TE	Xeon E5-4640 v4
MSRP	$494-83%	$2837
Performance per Dollar	46.3+479%	8.0
Release Date	2022	2016

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