Core i9-9900KS vs Xeon W-11865MRE

Intel

Core i9-9900KS

8 Cores16 Thrd127 WWMax: 5 GHz2019
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Xeon W-11865MRE

8 Cores16 Thrd35 WWMax: 4.7 GHz2021
Similar parts
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Core i9-9900KS vs Xeon W-11865MRE Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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 W-11865MRE 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 W-11865MRE: 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: +18.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $87 less on MSRP ($513 MSRP vs $600 MSRP).
  • Delivers 15.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 37.8 vs 32.6 PassMark/$ ($513 MSRP vs $600 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (19,397 vs 19,589).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 24 MB).
  • 262.9% higher power demand at 127W vs 35W.

Xeon W-11865MRE

2021

Why buy it

  • +1% higher PassMark.
  • +50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB).
  • Draws 35W instead of 127W, a 92W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-9900KS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 32.6 vs 37.8 PassMark/$ ($600 MSRP vs $513 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W-11865MRE better than Core i9-9900KS?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W-11865MRE 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 streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon W-11865MRE is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon W-11865MRE is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i9-9900KS is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon W-11865MRE comes in 17.0% more expensive on MSRP at $600 MSRP versus $513 MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i9-9900KS is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 18.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i9-9900KS is also 15.8% better value on MSRP (37.8 vs 32.6 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Xeon W-11865MRE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2019), 50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 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 i9-9900KS vs Xeon W-11865MRE Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

Intel

Xeon W-11865MRE

The Xeon W-11865MRE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 August 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1787. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 19,589 points. Launch price was $480.

Processing Power

Both the Core i9-9900KS and Xeon W-11865MRE share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i9-9900KS versus 4.7 GHz on the Xeon W-11865MRE — a 6.2% clock advantage for the Core i9-9900KS (base: 4 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i9-9900KS uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon W-11865MRE uses Tiger Lake-H (2021) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-9900KS scores 19,397 against the Xeon W-11865MRE's 19,589 — a 1% lead for the Xeon W-11865MRE. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-9900KS vs 24 MB (total) on the Xeon W-11865MRE.

FeatureCore i9-9900KSXeon W-11865MRE
Cores / Threads
8 / 16
8 / 16
Boost Clock
5 GHz+6%
4.7 GHz
Base Clock
4 GHz+90%
2.1 GHz
L3 Cache
16 MB (total)
24 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
1.25 MB (per core)+400%
Process
14 nm
10 nm-29%
Architecture
Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
Tiger Lake-H (2021)
PassMark
19,397
19,589
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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-9900KS uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon W-11865MRE uses FCBGA1787 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i9-9900KSXeon W-11865MRE
Socket
LGA1151
FCBGA1787
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 5.0+25%
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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-9900KS was priced at $513, while the Xeon W-11865MRE came in at $600. On launch pricing ($513 vs $600), Core i9-9900KS was $87 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-9900KS delivers 37.8 pts/$ vs 32.6 pts/$ for the Xeon W-11865MRE — making the Core i9-9900KS the 14.7% better value option.

FeatureCore i9-9900KSXeon W-11865MRE
MSRP
$513-14%
$600
Performance per Dollar
37.8+16%
32.6
Release Date
2019
2021

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