Core i9-9900X vs Xeon E5-2697A 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 i9-9900X vs Xeon E5-2697A 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 i9-9900X vs Xeon E5-2697A 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 i9-9900X

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $1,902 less on MSRP ($989 MSRP vs $2,891 MSRP).
✅Delivers 192.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 21.9 vs 7.5 PassMark/$ ($989 MSRP vs $2,891 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (19 MB vs 40 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2697A v4, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads.

Xeon E5-2697A v4

2016

Why buy it

✅+107.8% larger total L3 cache (40 MB vs 19 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads.
✅Draws 145W instead of 165W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-9900X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (21,621 vs 21,655).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.5 vs 21.9 PassMark/$ ($2,891 MSRP vs $989 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-9900X better than Xeon E5-2697A v4?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2697A v4 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i9-9900X 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 i9-9900X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.9% 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 i9-9900X is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads.

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

Core i9-9900X is the better buy right now. Core i9-9900X comes in $1,902 cheaper on MSRP at $989 MSRP versus $2,891 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 192.8% better value on MSRP (21.9 vs 7.5 PassMark/$), 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 i9-9900X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2016), more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 20 threads instead of 16/32, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i9-9900X vs Xeon E5-2697A v4 Technical Specifications

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

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.

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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	—

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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	No	—
PCIe Lanes	44	—

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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	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-9900X was priced at $989, while the Xeon E5-2697A v4 came in at $2891. On launch pricing ($989 vs $2891), Core i9-9900X was $1902 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-9900X delivers 21.9 pts/$ vs 7.5 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2697A v4 — making the Core i9-9900X the 98.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-9900X	Xeon E5-2697A v4
MSRP	$989-66%	$2891
Performance per Dollar	21.9+192%	7.5
Release Date	2018	2016

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