Core i9-9980HK vs Xeon E-2246G

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 i9-9980HK vs Xeon E-2246G 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 i9-9980HK vs Xeon E-2246G: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i9-9980HK

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Draws 45W instead of 80W, a 35W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Xeon E-2246G

2019

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-9980HK across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (13,832 vs 13,966).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $311 MSRP, while Core i9-9980HK mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌77.8% higher power demand at 80W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-9980HK better than Xeon E-2246G?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E-2246G makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i9-9980HK 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 i9-9980HK is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 13.6% 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 i9-9980HK 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 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i9-9980HK is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E-2246G is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-9980HK comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $311 MSRP, and it still gives you a 13.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E-2246G is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (44.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core i9-9980HK makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i9-9980HK vs Xeon E-2246G Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-9980HK

The Core i9-9980HK is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-HR (2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,966 points. Launch price was $583.

Xeon E-2246G

The Xeon E-2246G is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 May 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 13,832 points. Launch price was $311.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-9980HK packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E-2246G offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i9-9980HK has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i9-9980HK versus 4.8 GHz on the Xeon E-2246G — a 4.1% clock advantage for the Core i9-9980HK (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i9-9980HK uses the Coffee Lake-HR (2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E-2246G uses Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-9980HK scores 13,966 against the Xeon E-2246G's 13,832 — a 1% lead for the Core i9-9980HK. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-9980HK vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon E-2246G.

Feature	Core i9-9980HK	Xeon E-2246G
Cores / Threads	8 / 16+33%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	5 GHz+4%	4.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	3.6 GHz+50%
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)+33%	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-HR (2019)	Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019)
PassMark	13,966	13,832

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-9980HK uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E-2246G uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.