Core i9-9880H vs Xeon W-1250

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 i9-9880H vs Xeon W-1250 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 i9-9880H vs Xeon W-1250: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-9880H

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Draws 45W instead of 80W, a 35W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (13,531 vs 13,671).

Xeon W-1250

2020

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-9880H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $285 MSRP, while Core i9-9880H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌77.8% higher power demand at 80W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W-1250 better than Core i9-9880H?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W-1250 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i9-9880H 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-1250 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Xeon W-1250 is the better buy right now. Xeon W-1250 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $285 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i9-9880H is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 12.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (48.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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-1250 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2019) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 8/16. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i9-9880H vs Xeon W-1250 Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-9880H

The Core i9-9880H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-HR (2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 16 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: 13,531 points. Launch price was $556.

Xeon W-1250

The Xeon W-1250 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 13,671 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-9880H packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon W-1250 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i9-9880H has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i9-9880H versus 4.7 GHz on the Xeon W-1250 — a 2.1% clock advantage for the Core i9-9880H (base: 2.3 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i9-9880H is built on the Coffee Lake-HR (2019) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i9-9880H scores 13,531 against the Xeon W-1250's 13,671 — a 1% lead for the Xeon W-1250. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-9880H vs 12 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon W-1250.

Feature	Core i9-9880H	Xeon W-1250
Cores / Threads	8 / 16+33%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz+2%	4.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	3.3 GHz+43%
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)+33%	12 MB Intel® Smart Cache
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	—
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-HR (2019)	—
PassMark	13,531	13,671+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-9880H uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W-1250 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.