Xeon E5-2680 vs Core i7-9700K

Xeon E5-2680

8 Cores16 Thrd130 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2012

Core i7-9700K

8 Cores8 Thrd95 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2018

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Xeon E5-2680

8 / 16

9,289

0.0%

14,397

+55.0%

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. The Xeon E5-2680 is positioned at rank #1014 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2680

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

72161%

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

13625%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

12105%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

9351%

#541

Xeon E5-4669 v4

MSRP: $7007|Avg: $300

87%

#1014

Xeon E5-2680

MSRP: $3226|Avg: $40

100%

#1016

Xeon E5-4640

MSRP: $2725|Avg: N/A

89%

#1018

Xeon E5-4650

MSRP: $3616|Avg: $71

83%

#1019

Xeon E5-4650L

MSRP: $3616|Avg: N/A

82%

#1020

Xeon E5-4655 v4

MSRP: $4616|Avg: N/A

82%

#1021

Xeon E-2224

MSRP: $3226|Avg: $195

77%

#1022

Athlon MP 2400+

MSRP: $151|Avg: $20

70%

#1023

Xeon E5-2650L v2

MSRP: $4115|Avg: $1078

64%

#1024

Xeon E5-2640 v2

MSRP: $4115|Avg: $530

64%

#1025

Opteron 142

MSRP: $292|Avg: $20

53%

#1026

Athlon MP 2800+

MSRP: $275|Avg: $10

48%

#1027

Xeon L3110

MSRP: $1000|Avg: $950

47%

#1028

Xeon 2.66

MSRP: $337|Avg: $10

46%

#1029

Xeon X5272

MSRP: $1172|Avg: $76

43%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-9700K

#259

Core i3-9100TE

MSRP: $122|Avg: $60

106%

#260

Core i5-12500T

MSRP: $302|Avg: $214

106%

#261

Core i9-13900

MSRP: $549|Avg: $599

105%

#262

Core i7-11700

MSRP: $323|Avg: $274

105%

#262

Core i7-8700K

MSRP: $359|Avg: $160

53%

#263

Core i9-13900T

MSRP: $549|Avg: $570

104%

#264

Processor 300T

MSRP: $82|Avg: $82

103%

#265

Athlon 3000G

MSRP: $49|Avg: $60

103%

#266

Athlon 220GE

MSRP: $65|Avg: $60

103%

#267

Ryzen 9 3900X

MSRP: $499|Avg: $441

102%

#268

Core i5-10500

MSRP: $200|Avg: $178

102%

#269

Celeron G6900T

MSRP: $42|Avg: $50

102%

#270

Core i9-10850K

MSRP: $453|Avg: $300

102%

#271

Core i9-13900E

MSRP: $554|Avg: $554

101%

#272

Core i9-9820X

MSRP: $889|Avg: $280

101%

#273

Core i9-9900X

MSRP: $989|Avg: $300

100%

#274

Ryzen 7 1800X

MSRP: $499|Avg: $120

45%

#274

Core i7-9700K

MSRP: $385|Avg: $200

100%

#275

Core i3-10320

MSRP: $154|Avg: $140

99%

#276

Core i5-9600KF

MSRP: $262|Avg: $150

99%

#277

Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE

MSRP: $180|Avg: $180

98%

#278

Ryzen Threadripper 1900X

MSRP: $549|Avg: $116

43%

#278

Core i7-14701TE

MSRP: $392|Avg: $390

98%

#279

Ryzen Threadripper 1920X

MSRP: $799|Avg: $265

40%

#279

Core i9-11900KF

MSRP: $513|Avg: $349

98%

#280

Athlon Silver 3050GE

MSRP: $75|Avg: $65

97%

#280

Core i7-7820X

MSRP: $599|Avg: $198

40%

#281

Core i7-9700E

MSRP: $259|Avg: $180

97%

#282

Core i7-11700K

MSRP: $399|Avg: $350

97%

#283

Ryzen Threadripper 1920

MSRP: $799|Avg: $200

38%

#283

Ryzen 7 PRO 3700

MSRP: $329|Avg: $330

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i7-9700K (2018) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Xeon E5-2680	Core i7-9700K
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($40)	⚠️ Higher cost ($200)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) / 32 nm)	✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon E5-2680 (2012) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Xeon E5-2680	Core i7-9700K
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+223%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($40)	⚠️ Higher cost ($200)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Xeon E5-2680 Benchmark Check

Core i7-9700K Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

No prediction data available

Path of Exile 2

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E5-2680 and Core i7-9700K

Xeon E5-2680

The Xeon E5-2680 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 9,289 points. Launch price was $1,723.

Core i7-9700K

The Core i7-9700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,397 points. Launch price was $374.

⚡

Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2680 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, matching the Core i7-9700K's 8 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2680 versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K — a 33.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Xeon E5-2680 uses the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-9700K uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2680 scores 9,289 against the Core i7-9700K's 14,397 — a 43.1% lead for the Core i7-9700K. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2680 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K.

Feature	Xeon E5-2680	Core i7-9700K
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	8 / 8
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	4.9 GHz+40%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	3.6 GHz+33%
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)+67%	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
PassMark	9,289	14,397+55%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2680 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-9700K uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Xeon E5-2680 versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K — the Core i7-9700K supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-2680 supports up to 384 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Xeon E5-2680) vs 2 (Core i7-9700K). PCIe lanes: 40 (Xeon E5-2680) vs 16 (Core i7-9700K) — the Xeon E5-2680 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel X79,Intel C602 (Xeon E5-2680) and Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K).

Feature	Xeon E5-2680	Core i7-9700K
Socket	LGA2011	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR4-2666+33%
Max RAM Capacity	384 GB+200%	128 GB
RAM Channels	4+100%	2
ECC Support	✅	❌
PCIe Lanes	40+150%	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E5-2680) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K). The Core i7-9700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E5-2680 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop.

Feature	Xeon E5-2680	Core i7-9700K
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

The Xeon E5-2680 launched at $3226 MSRP, while the Core i7-9700K debuted at $385. At current prices ($40 vs $200), the Xeon E5-2680 is $160 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-2680 delivers 232.2 pts/$ vs 72.0 pts/$ for the Core i7-9700K — making the Xeon E5-2680 the 105.3% better value option.