Core i9-9900X vs Xeon E5-2697A v4
Core i9-9900X
Xeon E5-2697A v4
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i9-9900X
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2697A v4
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i9-9900X | Xeon E5-2697A v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($300) | ✅ More affordable ($121) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Skylake (server) (2017−2018) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Broadwell (2015−2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i9-9900X | Xeon E5-2697A v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+148%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($300) | ✅ More affordable ($121) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i9-9900X and Xeon E5-2697A v4
Core i9-9900X
The Core i9-9900X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 19.25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 21,655 points. Launch price was $989.
Xeon E5-2697A v4
The Xeon E5-2697A 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 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 40 MB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 145 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 21,621 points. Launch price was $2,891.
Processing Power
The Core i9-9900X packs 10 cores / 20 threads, while the Xeon E5-2697A v4 offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Xeon E5-2697A v4 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i9-9900X versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2697A v4 — a 22.2% clock advantage for the Core i9-9900X (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i9-9900X uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2697A v4 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-9900X scores 21,655 against the Xeon E5-2697A v4's 21,621 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i9-9900X. L3 cache: 19.25 MB (total) on the Core i9-9900X vs 40 MB on the Xeon E5-2697A v4.
| Feature | Core i9-9900X | Xeon E5-2697A v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 10 / 20 | 16 / 32+60% |
| Boost Clock | 4.5 GHz+25% | 3.6 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.5 GHz+35% | 2.6 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 19.25 MB (total) | 40 MB+108% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 4 MB+300% |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Skylake (server) (2017−2018) | Broadwell (2015−2019) |
| PassMark | 21,655 | 21,621 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 13,985 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,459 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 9,475 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i9-9900X uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2697A v4 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i9-9900X | Xeon E5-2697A v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2066 | LGA2011 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2666 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 4 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 44 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-9900X) / not specified (Xeon E5-2697A v4).
| Feature | Core i9-9900X | Xeon E5-2697A v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | — |
| AVX-512 | Yes | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i9-9900X launched at $989 MSRP, while the Xeon E5-2697A v4 debuted at $2891. At current prices ($300 vs $121), the Xeon E5-2697A v4 is $179 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-9900X delivers 72.2 pts/$ vs 178.7 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2697A v4 — making the Xeon E5-2697A v4 the 84.9% better value option.
| Feature | Core i9-9900X | Xeon E5-2697A v4 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $989-66% | $2891 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $300 | $121-60% |
| Performance per Dollar | 72.2 | 178.7+148% |
| Release Date | 2018 | 2016 |
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