Core i9-8950HK vs Xeon W-2225

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 i9-8950HK vs Xeon W-2225 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 i9-8950HK vs Xeon W-2225: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-8950HK

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+45.5% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8.3 MB).
✅Draws 45W instead of 105W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (10,373 vs 10,425).

Xeon W-2225

2019

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-8950HK across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8.3 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,166 MSRP, while Core i9-8950HK mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌133.3% higher power demand at 105W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W-2225 better than Core i9-8950HK?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W-2225 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i9-8950HK 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 W-2225 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon W-2225 is the better buy right now. Xeon W-2225 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $1,166 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i9-8950HK is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 8.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (8.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Xeon W-2225 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i9-8950HK vs Xeon W-2225 Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-8950HK

The Core i9-8950HK is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 10,373 points. Launch price was $583.

Xeon W-2225

The Xeon W-2225 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8.25 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 10,425 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-8950HK packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon W-2225 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i9-8950HK has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i9-8950HK versus 4.6 GHz on the Xeon W-2225 — a 4.3% clock advantage for the Core i9-8950HK (base: 2.9 GHz vs 4.1 GHz). The Core i9-8950HK is built on the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i9-8950HK scores 10,373 against the Xeon W-2225's 10,425 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon W-2225. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i9-8950HK vs 8.25 MB on the Xeon W-2225.

Feature	Core i9-8950HK	Xeon W-2225
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz+4%	4.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz	4.1 GHz+41%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+45%	8.25 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	—
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019)	—
PassMark	10,373	10,425

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-8950HK uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W-2225 uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.