Core Ultra 7 258V vs Xeon W-1290E

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 Ultra 7 258V vs Xeon W-1290E 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 Ultra 7 258V vs Xeon W-1290E: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core Ultra 7 258V

2024

Why buy it

✅Draws 17W instead of 95W, a 78W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA2833 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (8 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Arc 140V, while Xeon W-1290E needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W-1290E across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (18,947 vs 19,060).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon W-1290E, which brings 10 cores / 20 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $450 MSRP, while Xeon W-1290E mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon W-1290E

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 10 cores / 20 threads.

Trade-offs

❌458.8% higher power demand at 95W vs 17W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 7 258V moves to FCBGA2833 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 7 258V can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W-1290E better than Core Ultra 7 258V?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W-1290E makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core Ultra 7 258V is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon W-1290E is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.1% 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, Xeon W-1290E is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Xeon W-1290E is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Xeon W-1290E comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $450 MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core Ultra 7 258V only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 8.1% in the shared gaming data.

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

Core Ultra 7 258V makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2020) and a healthier platform with FCBGA2833 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core Ultra 7 258V vs Xeon W-1290E Technical Specifications

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

Core Ultra 7 258V

The Core Ultra 7 258V is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 September 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 2.5 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2833. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 18,947 points. Launch price was $299.

Xeon W-1290E

The Xeon W-1290E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 13 May 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 19,060 points. Launch price was $552.

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Processing Power

The Core Ultra 7 258V packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon W-1290E offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon W-1290E has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 258V versus 4.8 GHz on the Xeon W-1290E — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.2 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core Ultra 7 258V uses the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture (3 nm), while the Xeon W-1290E uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 7 258V scores 18,947 against the Xeon W-1290E's 19,060 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon W-1290E. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 7 258V vs 20 MB (total) on the Xeon W-1290E.

Feature	Core Ultra 7 258V	Xeon W-1290E
Cores / Threads	8 / 8	10 / 20+25%
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz	4.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	3.5 GHz+59%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	20 MB (total)+67%
L2 Cache	2.5 MB (per core)+900%	256 kB (per core)
Process	3 nm-79%	14 nm
Architecture	Lunar Lake (2024)	Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark	18,947	19,060
Cinebench R23 Multi	10,000	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,750	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	11,000	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 7 258V uses the FCBGA2833 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W-1290E uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core Ultra 7 258V	Xeon W-1290E
Socket	FCBGA2833	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR5X-8533	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	8	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 7 258V) / not specified (Xeon W-1290E). The Core Ultra 7 258V includes integrated graphics (Arc 140V), while the Xeon W-1290E requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 7 258V targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 7 258V rivals Ryzen 7 8840U.