Core i9-9900KF vs Xeon W-2145

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 W-2145 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 W-2145: 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: +13.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+45.5% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 11 MB).
✅Costs $625 less on MSRP ($488 MSRP vs $1,113 MSRP).
✅Delivers 128.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 36.9 vs 16.2 PassMark/$ ($488 MSRP vs $1,113 MSRP).
✅Draws 95W instead of 140W, a 45W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon W-2145, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads and 48 PCIe lanes.

Xeon W-2145

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads, plus 48 PCIe lanes vs 16.
✅200% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-9900KF across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (18,024 vs 18,029).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (11 MB vs 16 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 16.2 vs 36.9 PassMark/$ ($1,113 MSRP vs $488 MSRP).
❌47.4% higher power demand at 140W vs 95W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-9900KF better than Xeon W-2145?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W-2145 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 13.9% 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 0% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 45.5% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 11 MB).

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 $625 cheaper on MSRP at $488 MSRP versus $1,113 MSRP, and it still gives you a 13.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 128.1% better value on MSRP (36.9 vs 16.2 PassMark/$), 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 2017), 45.5% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 11 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 8/16. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i9-9900KF vs Xeon W-2145 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 W-2145

The Xeon W-2145 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 August 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 11 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: 18,024 points. Launch price was $1,113.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i9-9900KF and Xeon W-2145 share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i9-9900KF versus 4.5 GHz on the Xeon W-2145 — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Core i9-9900KF (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i9-9900KF uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon W-2145 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-9900KF scores 18,029 against the Xeon W-2145's 18,024 — a 0% lead for the Core i9-9900KF. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-9900KF vs 11 MB (total) on the Xeon W-2145.

Feature	Core i9-9900KF	Xeon W-2145
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	8 / 16
Boost Clock	5 GHz+11%	4.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz	3.7 GHz+3%
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)+45%	11 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	18,029	18,024
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,812	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,720	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,150	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-9900KF uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W-2145 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2666 memory speed. The Xeon W-2145 supports up to 512 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i9-9900KF) vs 4 (Xeon W-2145). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i9-9900KF) vs 48 (Xeon W-2145) — the Xeon W-2145 offers 32 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z390,Z370,H370,B365,B360 (Core i9-9900KF) and Intel X299,Intel C422 (Xeon W-2145).

Feature	Core i9-9900KF	Xeon W-2145
Socket	LGA1151	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	512 GB+300%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	48+200%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-9900KF) / not specified (Xeon W-2145). Primary use case: Core i9-9900KF targets Gaming.

Feature	Core i9-9900KF	Xeon W-2145
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Gaming	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-9900KF was priced at $488, while the Xeon W-2145 came in at $1113. On launch pricing ($488 vs $1113), Core i9-9900KF was $625 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-9900KF delivers 36.9 pts/$ vs 16.2 pts/$ for the Xeon W-2145 — making the Core i9-9900KF the 78.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-9900KF	Xeon W-2145
MSRP	$488-56%	$1113
Performance per Dollar	36.9+128%	16.2
Release Date	2019	2017

Search Core i9-9900KF on Amazon

Search Xeon W-2145 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.