Core i9-9900KS vs Xeon E5-2690 v4

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 i9-9900KS vs Xeon E5-2690 v4 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 i9-9900KS vs Xeon E5-2690 v4: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-9900KS

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +18.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $1,577 less on MSRP ($513 MSRP vs $2,090 MSRP).
✅Delivers 310.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 37.8 vs 9.2 PassMark/$ ($513 MSRP vs $2,090 MSRP).
✅Draws 127W instead of 135W, a 8W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 35 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2690 v4, which brings 14 cores / 28 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-2690 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅+118.8% larger total L3 cache (35 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 14 cores / 28 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 0.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-9900KS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (19,255 vs 19,397).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 9.2 vs 37.8 PassMark/$ ($2,090 MSRP vs $513 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-9900KS better than Xeon E5-2690 v4?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2690 v4 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i9-9900KS 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 i9-9900KS is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 18.8% 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 i9-9900KS is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Core i9-9900KS is the better buy right now. Core i9-9900KS comes in $1,577 cheaper on MSRP at $513 MSRP versus $2,090 MSRP, and it still gives you a 18.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 310.4% better value on MSRP (37.8 vs 9.2 PassMark/$), 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 i9-9900KS 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 14/28. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i9-9900KS vs Xeon E5-2690 v4 Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-9900KS

The Core i9-9900KS is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 October 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 4 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 127 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 19,397 points. Launch price was $513.

Xeon E5-2690 v4

The Xeon E5-2690 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 35 MB. L2 cache: 3.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 135 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 19,255 points. Launch price was $2,090.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-9900KS packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E5-2690 v4 offers 14 cores / 28 threads — the Xeon E5-2690 v4 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i9-9900KS versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2690 v4 — a 35.3% clock advantage for the Core i9-9900KS (base: 4 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i9-9900KS uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2690 v4 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-9900KS scores 19,397 against the Xeon E5-2690 v4's 19,255 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i9-9900KS. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-9900KS vs 35 MB on the Xeon E5-2690 v4.

Feature	Core i9-9900KS	Xeon E5-2690 v4
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	14 / 28+75%
Boost Clock	5 GHz+43%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	4 GHz+54%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)	35 MB+119%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	3.5 MB+1300%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Broadwell (2015−2019)
PassMark	19,397	19,255

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-9900KS uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-2690 v4 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i9-9900KS	Xeon E5-2690 v4
Socket	LGA1151	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	—	1536 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-9900KS was priced at $513, while the Xeon E5-2690 v4 came in at $2090. On launch pricing ($513 vs $2090), Core i9-9900KS was $1577 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-9900KS delivers 37.8 pts/$ vs 9.2 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2690 v4 — making the Core i9-9900KS the 121.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-9900KS	Xeon E5-2690 v4
MSRP	$513-75%	$2090
Performance per Dollar	37.8+311%	9.2
Release Date	2019	2016

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