Xeon E5-2690 v4 vs Core i9-10900E
Xeon E5-2690 v4
Core i9-10900E
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 E5-2690 v4
Performance Per Dollar Core i9-10900E
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E5-2690 v4 | Core i9-10900E |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($389) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($450) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Broadwell (2015−2019) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Comet Lake (2020−2025) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E5-2690 v4 | Core i9-10900E |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+15%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($389) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($450) |
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 E5-2690 v4 and Core i9-10900E
Xeon E5-2690 v4
The Xeon E5-2690 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 35 MB. L2 cache: 3.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 135 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 19,255 points. Launch price was $2,090.
Core i9-10900E
The Core i9-10900E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 19,332 points. Launch price was $488.
Processing Power
The Xeon E5-2690 v4 packs 14 cores / 28 threads, while the Core i9-10900E offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon E5-2690 v4 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2690 v4 versus 4.7 GHz on the Core i9-10900E — a 29.3% clock advantage for the Core i9-10900E (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Xeon E5-2690 v4 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i9-10900E uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2690 v4 scores 19,255 against the Core i9-10900E's 19,332 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i9-10900E. L3 cache: 35 MB on the Xeon E5-2690 v4 vs 20 MB (total) on the Core i9-10900E.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2690 v4 | Core i9-10900E |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 14 / 28+40% | 10 / 20 |
| Boost Clock | 3.5 GHz | 4.7 GHz+34% |
| Base Clock | 2.6 GHz | 2.8 GHz+8% |
| L3 Cache | 35 MB+75% | 20 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 3.5 MB+1300% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Broadwell (2015−2019) | Comet Lake (2020−2025) |
| PassMark | 19,255 | 19,332 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E5-2690 v4 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i9-10900E uses LGA1200 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2400 memory speed. The Xeon E5-2690 v4 supports up to 1536 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 169.2% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Xeon E5-2690 v4) vs 2 (Core i9-10900E). PCIe lanes: 40 (Xeon E5-2690 v4) vs 16 (Core i9-10900E) — the Xeon E5-2690 v4 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel X99,Intel C612 (Xeon E5-2690 v4) and LGA1200 (Core i9-10900E).
| Feature | Xeon E5-2690 v4 | Core i9-10900E |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2011 | LGA1200 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2400 | DDR4-2933 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 1536 GB+1100% | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 4+100% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 40+150% | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E5-2690 v4) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-10900E). The Core i9-10900E includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E5-2690 v4 requires a dedicated GPU.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2690 v4 | Core i9-10900E |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | UHD Graphics 630 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E5-2690 v4 launched at $2090 MSRP, while the Core i9-10900E debuted at $488. At current prices ($389 vs $450), the Xeon E5-2690 v4 is $61 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-2690 v4 delivers 49.5 pts/$ vs 43.0 pts/$ for the Core i9-10900E — making the Xeon E5-2690 v4 the 14.1% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2690 v4 | Core i9-10900E |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $2090 | $488-77% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $389-14% | $450 |
| Performance per Dollar | 49.5+15% | 43.0 |
| Release Date | 2016 | 2020 |
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