Core i9-9990XE vs Xeon Gold 5220R

CPU

GPU

Core i9-9990XE

14 Cores28 Thrd255 WWMax: 5.1 GHz2019

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Xeon Gold 5220R

24 Cores48 Thrd150 WWMax: 4 GHz2020

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Core i9-9990XE vs Xeon Gold 5220R Performance Spectrum

Core i9-9990XE

14 / 28

30,162

0.0%

30,372

+0.7%

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.

Core i9-9990XE vs Xeon Gold 5220R 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 i9-9990XE vs Xeon Gold 5220R: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-9990XE

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +23.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (30,162 vs 30,372).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (19 MB vs 36 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon Gold 5220R, which brings 24 cores / 48 threads and 48 PCIe lanes.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 15.1 vs 17.1 PassMark/$ ($2,000 MSRP vs $1,780 MSRP).
❌70% higher power demand at 255W vs 150W.

Xeon Gold 5220R

2020

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅+85.7% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 19 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 24 cores / 48 threads, plus 48 PCIe lanes vs 44.
✅Costs $220 less on MSRP ($1,780 MSRP vs $2,000 MSRP).
✅Delivers 13.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 17.1 vs 15.1 PassMark/$ ($1,780 MSRP vs $2,000 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-9990XE across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 5220R better than Core i9-9990XE?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon Gold 5220R makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i9-9990XE 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 Gold 5220R is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 85.7% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 19 MB).

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

Xeon Gold 5220R is the better buy right now. Xeon Gold 5220R comes in $220 cheaper on MSRP at $1,780 MSRP versus $2,000 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i9-9990XE is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 23.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 13.1% better value on MSRP (17.1 vs 15.1 PassMark/$), 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 Gold 5220R makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2019), 85.7% larger total L3 cache (36 MB vs 19 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 24 cores / 48 threads instead of 14/28. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i9-9990XE vs Xeon Gold 5220R Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-9990XE

The Core i9-9990XE 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 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 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): 255 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Quad-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 30,162 points. Launch price was $2,800.

Xeon Gold 5220R

The Xeon Gold 5220R is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 February 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 35.75 MB. L2 cache: 24 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2667. Passmark benchmark score: 30,372 points. Launch price was $1,555.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i9-9990XE packs 14 cores / 28 threads, while the Xeon Gold 5220R offers 24 cores / 48 threads — the Xeon Gold 5220R has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i9-9990XE versus 4 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5220R — a 24.2% clock advantage for the Core i9-9990XE (base: 4 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i9-9990XE uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon Gold 5220R uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-9990XE scores 30,162 against the Xeon Gold 5220R's 30,372 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon Gold 5220R. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,392 vs 1,327, a 4.8% lead for the Core i9-9990XE that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 19.25 MB (total) on the Core i9-9990XE vs 35.75 MB on the Xeon Gold 5220R.

Feature	Core i9-9990XE	Xeon Gold 5220R
Cores / Threads	14 / 28	24 / 48+71%
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz+27%	4 GHz
Base Clock	4 GHz+82%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	19.25 MB (total)	35.75 MB+86%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	24 MB+2300%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark	30,162	30,372
Geekbench 6 Single	1,392+5%	1,327
Geekbench 6 Multi	16,199	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-9990XE uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Gold 5220R uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i9-9990XE versus DDR4-2667 on the Xeon Gold 5220R — the Xeon Gold 5220R supports 0% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 5220R supports up to 1024 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Core i9-9990XE) vs 6 (Xeon Gold 5220R). PCIe lanes: 44 (Core i9-9990XE) vs 48 (Xeon Gold 5220R) — the Xeon Gold 5220R offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X299 (Core i9-9990XE) and C620 (Xeon Gold 5220R).

Feature	Core i9-9990XE	Xeon Gold 5220R
Socket	LGA2066	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-2667
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	1024 GB+700%
RAM Channels	4	6+50%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	44	48+9%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-9990XE) vs Yes (Xeon Gold 5220R). Primary use case: Core i9-9990XE targets HEDT. Direct competitor: Core i9-9990XE rivals Threadripper 2970WX.

Feature	Core i9-9990XE	Xeon Gold 5220R
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	Yes
Target Use	HEDT	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-9990XE was priced at $2000, while the Xeon Gold 5220R came in at $1780. On launch pricing ($2000 vs $1780), Xeon Gold 5220R was $220 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-9990XE delivers 15.1 pts/$ vs 17.1 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 5220R — making the Xeon Gold 5220R the 12.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-9990XE	Xeon Gold 5220R
MSRP	$2000	$1780-11%
Performance per Dollar	15.1	17.1+13%
Release Date	2019	2020

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