Core i9-9900 vs Xeon E5-2698B V3

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 i9-9900 vs Xeon E5-2698B V3 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 i9-9900 vs Xeon E5-2698B V3: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-9900

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +20.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 65W instead of 135W, a 70W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Xeon E5-2698B V3 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Xeon E5-2698B V3.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (16,238 vs 16,287).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 40 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2698B V3, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $423 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2698B V3 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-2698B V3

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅+150% larger total L3 cache (40 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-9900 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌107.7% higher power demand at 135W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-9900 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i9-9900.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-9900 better than Xeon E5-2698B V3?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2698B V3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i9-9900 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 E5-2698B V3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 150% larger total L3 cache (40 MB vs 16 MB).

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

Core i9-9900 is the better buy right now. Core i9-9900 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $423 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 20.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2698B V3 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.3% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (38.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i9-9900 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2015). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i9-9900 vs Xeon E5-2698B V3 Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-9900

The Core i9-9900 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 16,238 points. Launch price was $439.

Xeon E5-2698B V3

The Xeon E5-2698B V3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 40 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 135 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 16,287 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-9900 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E5-2698B V3 offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Xeon E5-2698B V3 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i9-9900 versus 3.4 GHz on the Xeon E5-2698B V3 — a 38.1% clock advantage for the Core i9-9900 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i9-9900 uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2698B V3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-9900 scores 16,238 against the Xeon E5-2698B V3's 16,287 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon E5-2698B V3. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-9900 vs 40 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2698B V3.

Feature	Core i9-9900	Xeon E5-2698B V3
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	16 / 32+100%
Boost Clock	5 GHz+47%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+55%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)	40 MB (total)+150%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	16,238	16,287
Cinebench R23 Multi	7,619	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,637	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	7,619	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-9900 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2698B V3 uses LGA2011-3 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i9-9900	Xeon E5-2698B V3
Socket	LGA1151	LGA2011-3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-9900) / not specified (Xeon E5-2698B V3). The Core i9-9900 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E5-2698B V3 requires a dedicated GPU.