Xeon W3690 vs Core i7-990X
Xeon W3690
Core i7-990X
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. The Xeon W3690 is positioned at rank 798 and the Core i7-990X is on rank 1046, so the Xeon W3690 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon W3690
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-990X
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon W3690 | Core i7-990X |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | Balanced gaming performance | Balanced gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($140) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($225) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Gulftown (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Gulftown (2010−2011) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon W3690 | Core i7-990X |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+62%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($140) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($225) |
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 W3690 and Core i7-990X
Xeon W3690
The Xeon W3690 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Gulftown (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.46 GHz, with boost up to 3.73 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 7,191 points. Launch price was $450.
Core i7-990X
The Core i7-990X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Gulftown (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.46 GHz, with boost up to 3.73 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 7,135 points. Launch price was $1,104.
Processing Power
Both the Xeon W3690 and Core i7-990X share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.73 GHz on the Xeon W3690 versus 3.73 GHz on the Core i7-990X — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.46 GHz vs 3.46 GHz). Both are built on the Gulftown (2010−2011) architecture using a 32 nm process. In PassMark, the Xeon W3690 scores 7,191 against the Core i7-990X's 7,135 — a 0.8% lead for the Xeon W3690. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Xeon W3690 | Core i7-990X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 3.73 GHz | 3.73 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.46 GHz | 3.46 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB (total) | 12 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Gulftown (2010−2011) | Gulftown (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 7,191 | 7,135 |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the LGA1366 socket with PCIe 2.0.
| Feature | Xeon W3690 | Core i7-990X |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1366 | LGA1366 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
Value Analysis
The Xeon W3690 launched at $583 MSRP, while the Core i7-990X debuted at $999. At current prices ($140 vs $225), the Xeon W3690 is $85 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon W3690 delivers 51.4 pts/$ vs 31.7 pts/$ for the Core i7-990X — making the Xeon W3690 the 47.3% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon W3690 | Core i7-990X |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $583-42% | $999 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $140-38% | $225 |
| Performance per Dollar | 51.4+62% | 31.7 |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2011 |
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