Core i9-9900T vs Xeon E5-1660 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 i9-9900T vs Xeon E5-1660 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 i9-9900T vs Xeon E5-1660 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 i9-9900T

2019

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 140W, a 105W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (13,208 vs 13,341).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $423 MSRP, while Xeon E5-1660 v4 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-1660 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB).

Trade-offs

❌300% higher power demand at 140W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-9900T better than Xeon E5-1660 v4?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1660 v4 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i9-9900T 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 E5-1660 v4 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 25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB).

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

Core i9-9900T is the better buy right now. Core i9-9900T comes in at an unclear MSRP at $423 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-1660 v4 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (31.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i9-9900T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2016). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i9-9900T vs Xeon E5-1660 v4 Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-9900T

The Core i9-9900T 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 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,208 points. Launch price was $439.

Xeon E5-1660 v4

The Xeon E5-1660 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-EP (2016) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 13,341 points. Launch price was $1,113.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i9-9900T and Xeon E5-1660 v4 share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i9-9900T versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-1660 v4 — a 14.6% clock advantage for the Core i9-9900T (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i9-9900T uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-1660 v4 uses Broadwell-EP (2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-9900T scores 13,208 against the Xeon E5-1660 v4's 13,341 — a 1% lead for the Xeon E5-1660 v4. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-9900T vs 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1660 v4.

Feature	Core i9-9900T	Xeon E5-1660 v4
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+16%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	3.2 GHz+52%
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)	20 MB (total)+25%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Broadwell-EP (2016)
PassMark	13,208	13,341+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-9900T uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1660 v4 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.