Xeon W-1290T
VS
Core Ultra 5 236V

Xeon W-1290T vs Core Ultra 5 236V

Intel

Xeon W-1290T

10 Cores20 Thrd35 WWMax: 4.7 GHz2020
VS
Intel

Core Ultra 5 236V

8 Cores8 Thrd17 WWMax: 4.7 GHz2024

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.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon W-1290T

#268
Xeon w5-2565X
MSRP: $1389|Avg: $1389
112%
#269
Xeon Silver 4416+
MSRP: $1186|Avg: $1176
110%
#270
Xeon E-2176G
MSRP: $367|Avg: $405
110%
#271
EPYC 7401
MSRP: $1500|Avg: $450
109%
#274
EPYC 7313
MSRP: $1083|Avg: $764
107%
#275
Xeon w5-2455X
MSRP: $1039|Avg: $1049
106%
#276
Xeon w3-2425
MSRP: $529|Avg: $529
105%
#278
Xeon Gold 5416S
MSRP: $1445|Avg: N/A
104%
#279
Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX
MSRP: $1149|Avg: $1130
103%
#281
EPYC 7402P
MSRP: $1280|Avg: $1090
101%
#282
Xeon w5-3525
MSRP: $1339|Avg: $1392
100%
#283
Xeon W-1290T
MSRP: $546|Avg: $494
100%
#284
Xeon D-1581
MSRP: $400|Avg: $400
98%
#285
Xeon w5-3535X
MSRP: $1699|Avg: N/A
97%
#286
Xeon w5-2465X
MSRP: $1389|Avg: $1499
97%
#287
EPYC 9355P
MSRP: $2998|Avg: $3026
96%
#288
Xeon w7-2595X
MSRP: $2039|Avg: $1600
96%
#289
Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX
MSRP: $2899|Avg: $2699.99
96%
#290
Xeon Gold 5420+
MSRP: $1848|Avg: $1848
93%
#292
Xeon w7-2575X
MSRP: $1689|Avg: $1860
93%
#294
Xeon Gold 6444Y
MSRP: $3622|Avg: N/A
92%
#295
Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX
MSRP: $2649|Avg: $2782
92%
#296
Xeon Platinum 8380
MSRP: $2010|Avg: $965
92%
#297
EPYC 7453
MSRP: $1570|Avg: $1253
92%
#298
Xeon Gold 5418Y
MSRP: $1483|Avg: N/A
91%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Use Case Distinction: This is a comparison between a Professional Workstation processor ($494) and a Consumer Desktop CPU. The Xeon W-1290T is engineered for massive parallel workloads (rendering, scientific simulations), offering significantly higher core counts.
InsightXeon W-1290TCore Ultra 5 236V
Gaming
Balanced gaming performance
Balanced gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($494)
More affordable ($403)
Longevity
✨ Modern (Legacy / 14 nm)
✨ Modern (Lunar Lake (2024) / 3 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core Ultra 5 236V ($403), however, is optimized for mixed workloads and gaming. For most users, it offers superior single-thread performance and responsiveness at a fraction of the cost ($91 less, 18% cheaper), making it the better choice for daily use and gaming.
InsightXeon W-1290TCore Ultra 5 236V
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Better overall value (+22%)
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($494)
More affordable ($403)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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 W-1290T and Core Ultra 5 236V

Intel

Xeon W-1290T

The Xeon W-1290T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 18,409 points. Launch price was $800.

Intel

Core Ultra 5 236V

The Core Ultra 5 236V is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 September 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 2.5 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2833. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 18,313 points. Launch price was $299.

Processing Power

The Xeon W-1290T packs 10 cores / 20 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 236V offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Xeon W-1290T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Xeon W-1290T versus 4.7 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 236V — identical boost frequencies (base: 1.9 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 236V is built on the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon W-1290T scores 18,409 against the Core Ultra 5 236V's 18,313 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon W-1290T. L3 cache: 20 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon W-1290T vs 8 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 236V.

FeatureXeon W-1290TCore Ultra 5 236V
Cores / Threads
10 / 20+25%
8 / 8
Boost Clock
4.7 GHz
4.7 GHz
Base Clock
1.9 GHz
2.1 GHz+11%
L3 Cache
20 MB Intel® Smart Cache+150%
8 MB (total)
L2 Cache
2.5 MB (per core)
Process
14 nm
3 nm-79%
Architecture
Lunar Lake (2024)
PassMark
18,409
18,313
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon W-1290T uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core Ultra 5 236V uses FCBGA2833 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureXeon W-1290TCore Ultra 5 236V
Socket
LGA1200
FCBGA2833
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 5.0+67%
💰

Value Analysis

The Xeon W-1290T launched at $546 MSRP, while the Core Ultra 5 236V debuted at $0. At current prices ($494 vs $403), the Core Ultra 5 236V is $91 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon W-1290T delivers 37.3 pts/$ vs 45.4 pts/$ for the Core Ultra 5 236V — making the Core Ultra 5 236V the 19.8% better value option.

FeatureXeon W-1290TCore Ultra 5 236V
MSRP
$546
$0-100%
Avg Price (30d)
$494
$403-18%
Performance per Dollar
37.3
45.4+22%
Release Date
2020
2024