Intel Core i9-13900E vs Intel Xeon D-2799 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a consistent picture: the Intel Core i9-13900E wins every single recorded test against the Intel Xeon D-2799. Across six Cinebench workloads, the margin holds almost perfectly steady at 19.2% in the Core i9's favor, with single-core tests showing a slightly wider gap. The only exception to the uniform 19.2% delta is the Cinebench R15 single-core run, where the Core i9 leads by 19.4%.

Looking at the raw scores, the Core i9-13900E posts 3451 in Cinebench R15 multi-core versus 2895 for the Xeon D-2799. In single-core R15, the margin is 487 to 408. The R20 workload shows 14382 against 12063 multi-core, and 2030 against 1703 single-core. Moving to R23, the Core i9 reaches 34244 multi-core and 4834 single-core, while the Xeon D-2799 manages 28723 and 4055 respectively. Each of these pairs translates to that consistent 19.2% advantage, meaning the Core i9's lead is not workload-dependent but rather a structural performance gap across the Cinebench suite.

The significance of these numbers becomes clearer when placed in context. The Core i9-13900E sits at the 65th percentile of all CPUs in the database, with an average benchmark score of 8676. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-8565U at 8665 (a 0.1% difference) and the Intel Core i5-8365U at 8708 (0.4% behind the Core i9). The Xeon D-2799 occupies the 64th percentile with an average score of 8308, placing it near the Intel Xeon Platinum 8268 at 8315 and the Intel Xeon Gold 5320T at 8316. Despite the narrow percentile gap between the two CPUs, the head-to-head Cinebench results show a decisive winner in every test.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Core i9-13900E wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests. It scores 3451 in R15, 14382 in R20, and 34244 in R23, compared to the Xeon D-2799's 2895, 12063, and 28723. The margin is 19.2% in each multi-core test.

Q: Is the single-core performance gap different from the multi-core gap?

A: Mostly no. The single-core R20 and R23 deltas are also 19.2% in favor of the Core i9-13900E. The only outlier is Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Core i9 leads by 19.4% instead.

Q: How do these CPUs rank against other processors in the database?

A: The Core i9-13900E is at the 65th percentile with an average benchmark score of 8676. The Xeon D-2799 is at the 64th percentile with an average score of 8308. The Core i9's closest rival is the Intel Core i7-8565U at 8665 (0.1% difference), while the Xeon D-2799's closest rival is the Intel Xeon Platinum 8268 at 8315 (0.1% difference).

Q: What memory configurations do these processors support?

A: The Core i9-13900E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus. The Xeon D-2799 supports only DDR4 but uses a quad-channel bus with a recorded memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i9-13900E and the Intel Xeon D-2799 list ECC memory support in the database.

Q: What are the production statuses of these two chips?

A: Both the Core i9-13900E and the Xeon D-2799 are listed as Active in production status.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages within Intel's 10 nm process node. The Core i9-13900E is built on Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-S die, and belongs to the Core 13th Gen family. The Xeon D-2799 uses the Ice Lake architecture with the Ice Lake-D codename, part of the Xeon D generation. Both are fabricated by Intel on a 10 nm process, and neither has a recorded transistor count in the database.

Core configuration differs significantly. The Core i9-13900E packs 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Xeon D-2799 has 20 cores and 40 threads. This means the Xeon D-2799 enables more threads per core, a characteristic that typically suits highly parallel server workloads, even though the Core i9 still wins all multi-core benchmarks in this comparison. The Core i9's die size is recorded at 257 mm², while the Xeon D-2799 has no die size entry.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. Both chips share an 80 KB L1 cache per core. The L2 cache differs: the Core i9-13900E has 2 MB per core, while the Xeon D-2799 has 1.25 MB per core. Total L3 cache is 36 MB shared on the Core i9 versus 30 MB shared on the Xeon D-2799. The larger per-core L2 and larger shared L3 on the Core i9 likely contribute to its consistent benchmark advantage.

Connectivity and platform features set these apart further. The Core i9-13900E uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Xeon D-2799 uses Intel BGA 2579, indicating a soldered, embedded-style form factor for the server chip. PCIe support differs as well: the Core i9 offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), whereas the Xeon D-2799 provides Gen 4 with 32 lanes (CPU only). The Core i9 includes integrated graphics in the form of UHD Graphics 770; the Xeon D-2799 has no integrated graphics listed. Memory support is broader on the Core i9 (DDR4 and DDR5 dual-channel) versus the Xeon D-2799 (DDR4 quad-channel with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth).

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification field. Clock speeds: the Core i9-13900E has a base clock of 1800.00 MHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz, while the Xeon D-2799 runs at 2.40 GHz base and 3.40 GHz boost. The Core i9 has the higher boost ceiling by a substantial margin, while the Xeon starts from a higher base clock.

Core and thread counts separate them: 24 cores and 32 threads for the Core i9, versus 20 cores and 40 threads for the Xeon D-2799. Thermal design power differs considerably, with the Core i9 rated at 65 W and the Xeon D-2799 at 129 W. The socket is different as noted (LGA 1700 versus BGA 2579). The Core i9 has a launch MSRP of none recorded, while the Xeon D-2799 carries a launch MSRP of $1972.

Memory channels and support diverge: dual-channel DDR4/DDR5 on the Core i9 versus quad-channel DDR4 on the Xeon D-2799, with the Xeon's memory bandwidth explicitly recorded at 102.4 GB/s. The Core i9 lists UHD Graphics 770 as integrated graphics; the Xeon D-2799 lists none. PCIe generations and lane counts also differ (Gen 5, 16 lanes versus Gen 4, 32 lanes). The Core i9's part number is SRMG2; the Xeon D-2799 is SRLCTSRM2C. Release dates place the Core i9 in January 2023 and the Xeon D-2799 in February 2022.

The Verdict

The benchmark results are unambiguous: the Intel Core i9-13900E outperforms the Intel Xeon D-2799 in every Cinebench test recorded in the database. The 19.2% lead in multi-core workloads holds across R15, R20, and R23, and the single-core advantage is essentially identical. With six wins out of six head-to-head comparisons, the Core i9-13900E is the faster processor in this pairing.

The Xeon D-2799 does bring attributes the Core i9 lacks. It has 40 threads versus 32, a higher base clock, quad-channel DDR4 memory, a recorded memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, 32 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, and a server/workstation market segment designation. However, none of these translate into a benchmark win in the measured workloads.

The percentile rankings reinforce the closeness of the overall database picture: 65th percentile for the Core i9 and 64th for the Xeon D-2799. Yet the direct comparison shows a clear hierarchy. The Core i9's higher boost clock, larger L3 cache, and larger per-core L2 cache appear to drive its consistent advantage. The Xeon D-2799's higher thread count does not compensate in these tests.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-13900E wins in every measured performance category. It takes all multi-core Cinebench tests (R15, R20, R23) and all single-core tests (R15, R20, R23). Its 5.20 GHz boost clock, 36 MB shared L3 cache, and 2 MB per-core L2 cache make it the choice for raw compute throughput in the Cinebench workloads. The 65% percentile ranking and average score of 8676 place it slightly ahead of the Xeon D-2799 in the broader database context.

The Intel Xeon D-2799 does not win any benchmark in this comparison, but its profile suggests different strengths. The 40 threads and quad-channel DDR4 memory with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth point toward memory-intensive server deployments where bandwidth matters more than single-core speed. The 32 PCIe Gen 4 lanes double the Core i9's 16 lanes, supporting more expansion devices. The 129 W TDP and BGA 2579 socket indicate a platform designed for embedded and edge server use rather than desktop or workstation builds.

For users prioritizing Cinebench performance, the Core i9-13900E is the clear pick. For scenarios requiring maximum memory bandwidth, higher PCIe lane counts, and a soldered server form factor, the Xeon D-2799 offers those features even though it trails in every recorded benchmark. The data shows a performance winner and a feature-set alternative, but no benchmark category where the Xeon D-2799 takes the lead.