Core i9-7900X vs Xeon E-2456

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 i9-7900X vs Xeon E-2456 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 i9-7900X vs Xeon E-2456: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i9-7900X

2017

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E-2456 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (14 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $999 MSRP, while Xeon E-2456 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌75% higher power demand at 140W vs 80W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2011 with DDR4, while Xeon E-2456 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Xeon E-2456

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+28.6% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 14 MB).
✅Draws 80W instead of 140W, a 60W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (20,705 vs 20,907).
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E-2456 better than Core i9-7900X?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E-2456 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i9-7900X 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 i9-7900X is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads.

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

Xeon E-2456 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Xeon E-2456 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $999 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i9-7900X only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (20.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA2011.

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

Xeon E-2456 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2017), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011, and 28.6% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 14 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-7900X vs Xeon E-2456 Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-7900X

The Core i9-7900X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 14 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 20,907 points. Launch price was $999.

Xeon E-2456

The Xeon E-2456 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 20,705 points. Launch price was $375.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i9-7900X packs 10 cores / 20 threads, while the Xeon E-2456 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i9-7900X has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i9-7900X versus 5.1 GHz on the Xeon E-2456 — a 12.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E-2456 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i9-7900X uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E-2456 uses Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-7900X scores 20,907 against the Xeon E-2456's 20,705 — a 1% lead for the Core i9-7900X. L3 cache: 14 MB (total) on the Core i9-7900X vs 18 MB (total) on the Xeon E-2456.

Feature	Core i9-7900X	Xeon E-2456
Cores / Threads	10 / 20+67%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz	5.1 GHz+13%
Base Clock	3.3 GHz	3.3 GHz
L3 Cache	14 MB (total)	18 MB (total)+29%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)+25%
Process	14 nm	Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
PassMark	20,907	20,705
Geekbench 6 Single	1,323	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,536	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-7900X uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E-2456 uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i9-7900X	Xeon E-2456
Socket	LGA2011	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	4	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	44	—