Core i9-9900T vs Xeon E5-1680 v3

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 E5-1680 v3 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 E5-1680 v3: 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

✅Costs $1,300 less on MSRP ($423 MSRP vs $1,723 MSRP).
✅Delivers 305.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 31.2 vs 7.7 PassMark/$ ($423 MSRP vs $1,723 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 140W, a 105W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (13,208 vs 13,273).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-1680 v3, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-1680 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 0.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.7 vs 31.2 PassMark/$ ($1,723 MSRP vs $423 MSRP).
❌300% higher power demand at 140W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-9900T better than Xeon E5-1680 v3?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1680 v3 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 E5-1680 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% 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 $1,300 cheaper on MSRP at $423 MSRP versus $1,723 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-1680 v3 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.5% better PassMark. It is also 305.3% better value on MSRP (31.2 vs 7.7 PassMark/$), 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 2014). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i9-9900T vs Xeon E5-1680 v3 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 E5-1680 v3

The Xeon E5-1680 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) 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 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1333, DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 13,273 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i9-9900T and Xeon E5-1680 v3 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 E5-1680 v3 — 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 E5-1680 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-9900T scores 13,208 against the Xeon E5-1680 v3's 13,273 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon E5-1680 v3. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-9900T vs 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1680 v3.

Feature	Core i9-9900T	Xeon E5-1680 v3
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-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	13,208	13,273
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,141
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	8,782

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-9900T uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1680 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i9-9900T	Xeon E5-1680 v3
Socket	LGA1151	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	—	768 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i9-9900T) / Yes (Xeon E5-1680 v3).

Feature	Core i9-9900T	Xeon E5-1680 v3
Integrated GPU	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	Yes

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-9900T was priced at $423, while the Xeon E5-1680 v3 came in at $1723. On launch pricing ($423 vs $1723), Core i9-9900T was $1300 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-9900T delivers 31.2 pts/$ vs 7.7 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-1680 v3 — making the Core i9-9900T the 120.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-9900T	Xeon E5-1680 v3
MSRP	$423-75%	$1723
Performance per Dollar	31.2+305%	7.7
Release Date	2019	2014

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