
Xeon E7-8891 v3 vs Core i9-9900X

Xeon E7-8891 v3

Core i9-9900X
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 E7-8891 v3
Performance Per Dollar Core i9-9900X
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E7-8891 v3 | Core i9-9900X |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($418) | ✅ More affordable ($300) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell-EX (2015) / 22 nm) | ✨ Modern (Skylake (server) (2017−2018) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E7-8891 v3 | Core i9-9900X |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+40%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($418) | ✅ More affordable ($300) |
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 E7-8891 v3 and Core i9-9900X

Xeon E7-8891 v3
The Xeon E7-8891 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EX (2015) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 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. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1333/1600/1866, DDR3-1066/1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 21,615 points. Launch price was $800.

Core i9-9900X
The Core i9-9900X 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 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 19.25 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: 21,655 points. Launch price was $989.
Processing Power
Both the Xeon E7-8891 v3 and Core i9-9900X share an identical 10-core/20-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E7-8891 v3 versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i9-9900X — a 25% clock advantage for the Core i9-9900X (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Xeon E7-8891 v3 uses the Haswell-EX (2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i9-9900X uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E7-8891 v3 scores 21,615 against the Core i9-9900X's 21,655 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i9-9900X. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 900 vs 1,459, a 47.4% lead for the Core i9-9900X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 9,500 vs 9,475 (0.3% advantage for the Xeon E7-8891 v3). L3 cache: 45 MB (total) on the Xeon E7-8891 v3 vs 19.25 MB (total) on the Core i9-9900X.
| Feature | Xeon E7-8891 v3 | Core i9-9900X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 10 / 20 | 10 / 20 |
| Boost Clock | 3.5 GHz | 4.5 GHz+29% |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz | 3.5 GHz+25% |
| L3 Cache | 45 MB (total)+134% | 19.25 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 1 MB (per core)+300% |
| Process | 22 nm | 14 nm-36% |
| Architecture | Haswell-EX (2015) | Skylake (server) (2017−2018) |
| PassMark | 21,615 | 21,655 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 13,985 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 900 | 1,459+62% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 9,500 | 9,475 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E7-8891 v3 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i9-9900X uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-1866 memory speed. The Xeon E7-8891 v3 supports up to 1536 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 169.2% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 4-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 32 (Xeon E7-8891 v3) vs 44 (Core i9-9900X) — the Core i9-9900X offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C602J (Xeon E7-8891 v3) and X299 (Core i9-9900X).
| Feature | Xeon E7-8891 v3 | Core i9-9900X |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2011 | LGA2066 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-1866 | DDR4-2666 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 1536 GB+1100% | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 4 | 4 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 32 | 44+38% |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i9-9900X supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: Yes (Xeon E7-8891 v3) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-9900X).
| Feature | Xeon E7-8891 v3 | Core i9-9900X |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | Yes |
| Virtualization | Yes | VT-x, VT-d |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E7-8891 v3 launched at $6841 MSRP, while the Core i9-9900X debuted at $989. At current prices ($418 vs $300), the Core i9-9900X is $118 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E7-8891 v3 delivers 51.7 pts/$ vs 72.2 pts/$ for the Core i9-9900X — making the Core i9-9900X the 33% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E7-8891 v3 | Core i9-9900X |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $6841 | $989-86% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $418 | $300-28% |
| Performance per Dollar | 51.7 | 72.2+40% |
| Release Date | 2015 | 2018 |
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