Xeon E5-2699 v3 vs Xeon W-1290

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 E5-2699 v3 vs Xeon W-1290 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 E5-2699 v3 vs Xeon W-1290: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Xeon E5-2699 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅+125% larger total L3 cache (45 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-1290 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (20,028 vs 20,112).
❌81.3% higher power demand at 145W vs 80W.

Xeon W-1290

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 80W instead of 145W, a 65W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 45 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $498 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2699 v3 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W-1290 better than Xeon E5-2699 v3?

Yes. Xeon W-1290 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 9.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.4% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon W-1290 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 9.0% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon W-1290 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads.

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

Xeon W-1290 is the better buy right now. Xeon W-1290 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $498 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (40.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Xeon W-1290 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2014) and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 20 threads instead of 18/36. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E5-2699 v3 vs Xeon W-1290 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2699 v3

The Xeon E5-2699 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 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 45 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 145 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 20,028 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon W-1290

The Xeon W-1290 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 20,112 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2699 v3 packs 18 cores / 36 threads, while the Xeon W-1290 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon E5-2699 v3 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2699 v3 versus 5.1 GHz on the Xeon W-1290 — a 34.5% clock advantage for the Xeon W-1290 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Xeon E5-2699 v3 uses the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon W-1290 uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2699 v3 scores 20,028 against the Xeon W-1290's 20,112 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon W-1290. L3 cache: 45 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2699 v3 vs 20 MB (total) on the Xeon W-1290.

Feature	Xeon E5-2699 v3	Xeon W-1290
Cores / Threads	18 / 36+80%	10 / 20
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	5.1 GHz+42%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	3.2 GHz+39%
L3 Cache	45 MB (total)+125%	20 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)	Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark	20,028	20,112

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2699 v3 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W-1290 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.