Core i9-9900X vs Xeon W-11955M

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 W-11955M 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 W-11955M: 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: +6.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (21,655 vs 21,702).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (19 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 21.9 vs 34.8 PassMark/$ ($989 MSRP vs $623 MSRP).
❌371.4% higher power demand at 165W vs 35W.

Xeon W-11955M

2021

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅+24.7% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 19 MB).
✅Costs $366 less on MSRP ($623 MSRP vs $989 MSRP).
✅Delivers 59.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 34.8 vs 21.9 PassMark/$ ($623 MSRP vs $989 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 165W, a 130W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-9900X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W-11955M better than Core i9-9900X?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W-11955M 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 streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon W-11955M is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 24.7% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 19 MB).

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

Xeon W-11955M is the better buy right now. Xeon W-11955M comes in $366 cheaper on MSRP at $623 MSRP versus $989 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i9-9900X is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 6.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 59.1% better value on MSRP (34.8 vs 21.9 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Xeon W-11955M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2018), 24.7% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 19 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 10/20. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i9-9900X vs Xeon W-11955M 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 W-11955M

The Xeon W-11955M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 May 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 5 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1787. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 21,702 points. Launch price was $623.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-9900X packs 10 cores / 20 threads, while the Xeon W-11955M offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i9-9900X has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i9-9900X versus 5 GHz on the Xeon W-11955M — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Xeon W-11955M (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i9-9900X uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon W-11955M uses Tiger Lake-H (2021) (10 nm SuperFin). In PassMark, the Core i9-9900X scores 21,655 against the Xeon W-11955M's 21,702 — a 0.2% lead for the Xeon W-11955M. L3 cache: 19.25 MB (total) on the Core i9-9900X vs 24 MB (total) on the Xeon W-11955M.

Feature	Core i9-9900X	Xeon W-11955M
Cores / Threads	10 / 20+25%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz	5 GHz+11%
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+67%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	19.25 MB (total)	24 MB (total)+25%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)+25%
Process	14 nm	10 nm SuperFin-29%
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Tiger Lake-H (2021)
PassMark	21,655	21,702
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 W-11955M uses FCBGA1787 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i9-9900X	Xeon W-11955M
Socket	LGA2066	FCBGA1787
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
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 W-11955M).

Feature	Core i9-9900X	Xeon W-11955M
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 W-11955M came in at $623. On launch pricing ($989 vs $623), Xeon W-11955M was $366 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-9900X delivers 21.9 pts/$ vs 34.8 pts/$ for the Xeon W-11955M — making the Xeon W-11955M the 45.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-9900X	Xeon W-11955M
MSRP	$989	$623-37%
Performance per Dollar	21.9	34.8+59%
Release Date	2018	2021

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