Xeon E5-2689 vs Core i7-9700K

Xeon E5-2689

8 Cores16 Thrd115 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2012

Core i7-9700K

8 Cores8 Thrd95 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2018

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Xeon E5-2689

8 / 16

9,922

0.0%

14,397

+45.1%

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 E5-2689 is positioned at rank #979 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 E5-2689

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

37717%

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

7121%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

6327%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

4888%

#979

Xeon E5-2689

MSRP: $1800|Avg: $18

100%

#980

Xeon E5-2450L

MSRP: $1106|Avg: $78

99%

#981

Xeon X3480

MSRP: $612|Avg: $48

99%

#982

Xeon E5-2687W

MSRP: $1885|Avg: $70

97%

#983

Xeon E5-4610

MSRP: $1219|Avg: $50

96%

#985

Xeon X7550

MSRP: $1500|Avg: $1400

95%

#986

Xeon E7540

MSRP: $1980|Avg: $146

95%

#987

Xeon E7530

MSRP: $1391|Avg: $146

94%

#988

Xeon E5-4627 v4

MSRP: $2500|Avg: $200

94%

#989

Xeon E5-4627 v3

MSRP: $2225|Avg: $200

93%

#990

Xeon X5660

MSRP: $1219|Avg: $10

89%

#991

Xeon E5-2667

MSRP: $1552|Avg: $31

87%

#992

Xeon E5-2690

MSRP: $2057|Avg: $150

86%

#993

Xeon E3-1565L v5

MSRP: $1552|Avg: $120

86%

#994

Xeon L5640

MSRP: $996|Avg: N/A

85%

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 E5-2689	Core i7-9700K
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($18)	⚠️ Higher cost ($200)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) / 32 nm)	✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon E5-2689 (2012) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Xeon E5-2689	Core i7-9700K
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+666%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($18)	⚠️ 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 E5-2689 Benchmark Check

Core i7-9700K Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E5-2689 and Core i7-9700K

Xeon E5-2689

The Xeon E5-2689 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 115 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 9,922 points. Launch price was $800.

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 E5-2689 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, matching the Core i7-9700K's 8 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2689 versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K — a 30.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Xeon E5-2689 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 E5-2689 scores 9,922 against the Core i7-9700K's 14,397 — a 36.8% lead for the Core i7-9700K. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2689 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K.

Feature	Xeon E5-2689	Core i7-9700K
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	8 / 8
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	4.9 GHz+36%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	3.6 GHz+38%
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)+67%	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
PassMark	9,922	14,397+45%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2689 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-9700K uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E5-2689	Core i7-9700K
Socket	LGA2011	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E5-2689) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K). The Core i7-9700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E5-2689 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop.

Feature	Xeon E5-2689	Core i7-9700K
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

The Xeon E5-2689 launched at $1800 MSRP, while the Core i7-9700K debuted at $385. At current prices ($18 vs $200), the Xeon E5-2689 is $182 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-2689 delivers 551.2 pts/$ vs 72.0 pts/$ for the Core i7-9700K — making the Xeon E5-2689 the 153.8% better value option.