Xeon X5690 vs Core i7-9700K
Xeon X5690
Core i7-9700K
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. The Xeon X5690 is positioned at rank #514 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. 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 X5690
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-9700K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon X5690 | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($250) | ✅ More affordable ($200) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Westmere-EP (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon X5690 | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+156%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($250) | ✅ More affordable ($200) |
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 X5690 and Core i7-9700K
Xeon X5690
The Xeon X5690 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (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: 12288 kB (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: 7,031 points. Launch price was $205.
Core i7-9700K
The Core i7-9700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,397 points. Launch price was $374.
Processing Power
The Xeon X5690 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-9700K offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-9700K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.73 GHz on the Xeon X5690 versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K — a 27.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K (base: 3.46 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Xeon X5690 uses the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-9700K uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon X5690 scores 7,031 against the Core i7-9700K's 14,397 — a 68.8% lead for the Core i7-9700K. L3 cache: 12288 kB (total) on the Xeon X5690 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K.
| Feature | Xeon X5690 | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 8 / 8+33% |
| Boost Clock | 3.73 GHz | 4.9 GHz+31% |
| Base Clock | 3.46 GHz | 3.6 GHz+4% |
| L3 Cache | 12288 kB (total) | 12 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 14 nm-56% |
| Architecture | Westmere-EP (2010−2011) | Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) |
| PassMark | 7,031 | 14,397+105% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 3,000 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon X5690 uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-9700K uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Xeon X5690 versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K — the Core i7-9700K supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Memory channels: 3 (Xeon X5690) vs 2 (Core i7-9700K). Chipset compatibility: Intel X58,Intel 5520 (Xeon X5690) and Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K).
| Feature | Xeon X5690 | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1366 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR4-2666+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 3+50% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i7-9700K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5690) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K). The Core i7-9700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon X5690 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon X5690 targets Workstation, Core i7-9700K targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Xeon X5690 rivals Core i7-980X.
| Feature | Xeon X5690 | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | UHD Graphics 630 |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Workstation | Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Xeon X5690 launched at $250 MSRP, while the Core i7-9700K debuted at $385. At current prices ($250 vs $200), the Core i7-9700K is $50 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon X5690 delivers 28.1 pts/$ vs 72.0 pts/$ for the Core i7-9700K — making the Core i7-9700K the 87.6% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon X5690 | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $250-35% | $385 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $250 | $200-20% |
| Performance per Dollar | 28.1 | 72.0+156% |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2018 |
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