Core i9-9990XE vs Xeon Gold 5220R
Core i9-9990XE
Xeon Gold 5220R
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 i9-9990XE
Performance Per Dollar Xeon Gold 5220R
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i9-9990XE | Xeon Gold 5220R |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($2,000) | ✅ More affordable ($1,015) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Skylake (server) (2017−2018) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Cascade Lake (2019−2020) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i9-9990XE | Xeon Gold 5220R |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+98%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($2,000) | ✅ More affordable ($1,015) |
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 i9-9990XE and Xeon Gold 5220R
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. Both support up to DDR4-2666 memory speed. The Xeon Gold 5220R supports up to 1024 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 155.6% 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 | ❌ | ✅ |
| 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
The Core i9-9990XE launched at $2000 MSRP, while the Xeon Gold 5220R debuted at $1780.
| Feature | Core i9-9990XE | Xeon Gold 5220R |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $2000 | $1780-11% |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $1015 |
| Release Date | 2019 | 2020 |
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