Xeon Gold 5320T vs Core i9-9990XE
Xeon Gold 5320T
Core i9-9990XE
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 Gold 5320T
Performance Per Dollar Core i9-9990XE
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon Gold 5320T | Core i9-9990XE |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($1,379) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($2,000) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Ice Lake-SP (2021) / 10 nm) | ✨ Modern (Skylake (server) (2017−2018) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon Gold 5320T | Core i9-9990XE |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+45%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($1,379) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($2,000) |
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 Gold 5320T and Core i9-9990XE
Xeon Gold 5320T
The Xeon Gold 5320T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture. It features 20 cores and 40 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4189. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 30,259 points. Launch price was $800.
Core i9-9990XE
The Core i9-9990XE 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 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 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): 255 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Quad-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 30,162 points. Launch price was $2,800.
Processing Power
The Xeon Gold 5320T packs 20 cores / 40 threads, while the Core i9-9990XE offers 14 cores / 28 threads — the Xeon Gold 5320T has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5320T versus 5.1 GHz on the Core i9-9990XE — a 37.2% clock advantage for the Core i9-9990XE (base: 2.3 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Xeon Gold 5320T uses the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i9-9990XE uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 5320T scores 30,259 against the Core i9-9990XE's 30,162 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon Gold 5320T. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,290 vs 1,392, a 7.6% lead for the Core i9-9990XE that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 19,074 vs 16,199 (16.3% advantage for the Xeon Gold 5320T). L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 5320T vs 19.25 MB (total) on the Core i9-9990XE.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 5320T | Core i9-9990XE |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 20 / 40+43% | 14 / 28 |
| Boost Clock | 3.5 GHz | 5.1 GHz+46% |
| Base Clock | 2.3 GHz | 4 GHz+74% |
| L3 Cache | 30 MB (total)+56% | 19.25 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |
| Process | 10 nm-29% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Ice Lake-SP (2021) | Skylake (server) (2017−2018) |
| PassMark | 30,259 | 30,162 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 22,000 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,290 | 1,392+8% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 19,074+18% | 16,199 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon Gold 5320T uses the LGA4189 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i9-9990XE uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2933 memory speed. The Xeon Gold 5320T supports up to 6144 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 191.8% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (Xeon Gold 5320T) vs 4 (Core i9-9990XE). PCIe lanes: 64 (Xeon Gold 5320T) vs 44 (Core i9-9990XE) — the Xeon Gold 5320T offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C621A (Xeon Gold 5320T) and X299 (Core i9-9990XE).
| Feature | Xeon Gold 5320T | Core i9-9990XE |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA4189 | LGA2066 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0+33% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2933 | DDR4-2666 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 6144 GB+4700% | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 8+100% | 4 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 64+45% | 44 |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i9-9990XE has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon Gold 5320T) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-9990XE). Primary use case: Xeon Gold 5320T targets High-density Cloud / Virtualization, Core i9-9990XE targets HEDT. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 5320T rivals EPYC 7413; Core i9-9990XE rivals Threadripper 2970WX.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 5320T | Core i9-9990XE |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | Yes | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | High-density Cloud / Virtualization | HEDT |
Value Analysis
The Xeon Gold 5320T launched at $1977 MSRP, while the Core i9-9990XE debuted at $2000.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 5320T | Core i9-9990XE |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $1977-1% | $2000 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $1379 | — |
| Release Date | 2021 | 2019 |
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