Xeon E5-2686 V3 vs Core i7-9800X
Xeon E5-2686 V3
Core i7-9800X
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 Xeon E5-2686 V3
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-9800X
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E5-2686 V3 | Core i7-9800X |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($160) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($210) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell-EP (2014−2015) / 22 nm) | ✨ Modern (Skylake (server) (2017−2018) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E5-2686 V3 | Core i7-9800X |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+31%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($160) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($210) |
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 Xeon E5-2686 V3 and Core i7-9800X
Xeon E5-2686 V3
The Xeon E5-2686 V3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 45 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4 2133 MHz Quad-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 18,148 points. Launch price was $800.
Core i7-9800X
The Core i7-9800X 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 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 16.5 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 18,128 points. Launch price was $589.
Processing Power
The Xeon E5-2686 V3 packs 18 cores / 36 threads, while the Core i7-9800X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-2686 V3 has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2686 V3 versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-9800X — a 25% clock advantage for the Core i7-9800X (base: 2 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Xeon E5-2686 V3 uses the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-9800X uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2686 V3 scores 18,148 against the Core i7-9800X's 18,128 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E5-2686 V3. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 10,000 vs 13,067 (26.6% advantage for the Core i7-9800X). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,033 vs 1,372, a 28.2% lead for the Core i7-9800X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 8,649 vs 7,552 (13.5% advantage for the Xeon E5-2686 V3). L3 cache: 45 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2686 V3 vs 16.5 MB (total) on the Core i7-9800X.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2686 V3 | Core i7-9800X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 18 / 36+125% | 8 / 16 |
| Boost Clock | 3.5 GHz | 4.5 GHz+29% |
| Base Clock | 2 GHz | 3.8 GHz+90% |
| L3 Cache | 45 MB (total)+173% | 16.5 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 1 MB (per core)+300% |
| Process | 22 nm | 14 nm-36% |
| Architecture | Haswell-EP (2014−2015) | Skylake (server) (2017−2018) |
| PassMark | 18,148 | 18,128 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 10,000 | 13,067+31% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,033 | 1,372+33% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 8,649+15% | 7,552 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E5-2686 V3 uses the LGA2011-3 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-9800X uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2133 memory speed. The Xeon E5-2686 V3 supports up to 768 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 142.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 4-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 40 (Xeon E5-2686 V3) vs 44 (Core i7-9800X) — the Core i7-9800X offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C612,X99 (Xeon E5-2686 V3) and X299 (Core i7-9800X).
| Feature | Xeon E5-2686 V3 | Core i7-9800X |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2011-3 | LGA2066 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2133 | DDR4-2666 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 768 GB+500% | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 4 | 4 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 40 | 44+10% |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i7-9800X supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: Yes (Xeon E5-2686 V3) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9800X). Primary use case: Core i7-9800X targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i7-9800X rivals Ryzen 5 3600XT.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2686 V3 | Core i7-9800X |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | Yes |
| Virtualization | Yes | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Workstation |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E5-2686 V3 launched at $1500 MSRP, while the Core i7-9800X debuted at $589. At current prices ($160 vs $210), the Xeon E5-2686 V3 is $50 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-2686 V3 delivers 113.4 pts/$ vs 86.3 pts/$ for the Core i7-9800X — making the Xeon E5-2686 V3 the 27.1% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2686 V3 | Core i7-9800X |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $1500 | $589-61% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $160-24% | $210 |
| Performance per Dollar | 113.4+31% | 86.3 |
| Release Date | 2014 | 2018 |
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