Core i9-9900KF vs Xeon Phi 7290

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 i9-9900KF vs Xeon Phi 7290 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 i9-9900KF vs Xeon Phi 7290: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-9900KF

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +37.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 95W instead of 245W, a 150W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon Phi 7290, which brings 72 cores / 288 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $488 MSRP, while Xeon Phi 7290 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon Phi 7290

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 72 cores / 288 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-9900KF across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (17,839 vs 18,029).
❌157.9% higher power demand at 245W vs 95W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-9900KF better than Xeon Phi 7290?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon Phi 7290 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i9-9900KF 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 i9-9900KF is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 37.5% 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 i9-9900KF is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Core i9-9900KF is the better buy right now. Core i9-9900KF comes in at an unclear MSRP at $488 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 37.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (36.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i9-9900KF makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2016) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 72/288. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i9-9900KF vs Xeon Phi 7290 Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-9900KF

The Core i9-9900KF is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 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 3.6 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): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 18,029 points. Launch price was $488.

Xeon Phi 7290

The Xeon Phi 7290 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Knights Landing (2016) architecture. It features 72 cores and 288 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 1.7 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 245 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 17,839 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-9900KF packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon Phi 7290 offers 72 cores / 288 threads — the Xeon Phi 7290 has 64 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i9-9900KF versus 1.7 GHz on the Xeon Phi 7290 — a 98.5% clock advantage for the Core i9-9900KF (base: 3.6 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Core i9-9900KF uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon Phi 7290 uses Knights Landing (2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-9900KF scores 18,029 against the Xeon Phi 7290's 17,839 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i9-9900KF. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-9900KF vs 0 kB (total) on the Xeon Phi 7290.

Feature	Core i9-9900KF	Xeon Phi 7290
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	72 / 288+800%
Boost Clock	5 GHz+194%	1.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+140%	1.5 GHz
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)	0 kB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Knights Landing (2016)
PassMark	18,029+1%	17,839
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,812	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,720	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,150	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-9900KF uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Phi 7290 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.