Xeon E5-2690 v4 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.

Xeon E5-2690 v4 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.

Xeon E5-2690 v4 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.

Xeon E5-2690 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅+75% larger total L3 cache (35 MB vs 20 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W-1290E across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $2,090 MSRP, while Xeon W-1290E mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌42.1% higher power demand at 135W vs 95W.

Xeon W-1290E

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 95W instead of 135W, a 40W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (19,060 vs 19,255).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 35 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W-1290E better than Xeon E5-2690 v4?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon W-1290E is ahead with a 13.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2690 v4 pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2690 v4 also has the bigger cache pool with 75% larger total L3 cache (35 MB vs 20 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2690 v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 28 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 75% larger total L3 cache (35 MB vs 20 MB).

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

Xeon W-1290E is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-2690 v4 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon W-1290E comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $2,090 MSRP, and it still gives you a 13.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2690 v4 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2690 v4 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (9.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Xeon W-1290E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2016). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E5-2690 v4 vs Xeon W-1290E Technical Specifications

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

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.

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 Xeon E5-2690 v4 packs 14 cores / 28 threads, while the Xeon W-1290E 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 4.8 GHz on the Xeon W-1290E — a 31.3% clock advantage for the Xeon W-1290E (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Xeon E5-2690 v4 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon W-1290E uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2690 v4 scores 19,255 against the Xeon W-1290E's 19,060 — a 1% lead for the Xeon E5-2690 v4. L3 cache: 35 MB on the Xeon E5-2690 v4 vs 20 MB (total) on the Xeon W-1290E.

Feature	Xeon E5-2690 v4	Xeon W-1290E
Cores / Threads	14 / 28+40%	10 / 20
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	4.8 GHz+37%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	3.5 GHz+35%
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+1%	19,060

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2690 v4 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon W-1290E uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E5-2690 v4	Xeon W-1290E
Socket	LGA2011	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	1536 GB	—
RAM Channels	4	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	40	—