Intel Core i9-9990XE vs Intel Xeon W-2195 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i9-9990XE wins every single benchmark in the recorded comparison, taking all six head-to-head tests. The Xeon W-2195 does not secure a single victory in any Cinebench iteration, whether single-core or multi-core. The i9-9990XE leads by a consistent margin of 7.6% across most tests, with the only slight variation appearing in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the lead expands to 7.7%.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i9-9990XE scores 2584 against the Xeon W-2195's 2401, a 7.6% advantage. The single-core R15 result shows 364 versus 338, a 7.7% gap. Moving to R20, the i9-9990XE posts 10767 versus 10007 in multi-core, again 7.6% ahead, and 1519 versus 1412 in single-core. The R23 results follow the same pattern: multi-core scores read 25637 for the i9-9990XE and 23828 for the Xeon, while single-core scores are 3619 and 3363 respectively. Every delta sits at exactly 7.6%, except the R15 single-core test at 7.7%. This uniformity suggests the performance difference is structural and consistent across workloads, not a fluke of a particular test.

The average benchmark score reinforces this hierarchy. The i9-9990XE averages 7415, while the Xeon W-2195 averages 6892, a meaningful gap of roughly 7.6% when calculated from the raw averages. Interestingly, both processors land at the 63rd percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning their overall standing relative to the entire field is identical, even though one clearly outperforms the other in absolute terms. The i9-9990XE's nearest rival, the Intel Core i5-4570, scores 7421, only 0.1% higher, making the i9-9990XE essentially tied with that older quad-core part in aggregate. The Xeon W-2195, by contrast, sits near the Intel Core i5-3470 at 6906, a 0.2% difference, and the AMD Ryzen 3 3200G at 6931, 0.6% higher.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i9-9990XE wins all three multi-core tests. It scores 2584 vs 2401 in R15, 10767 vs 10007 in R20, and 25637 vs 23828 in R23. The margin is 7.6% in each case.

Q: How large is the single-core advantage for the i9-9990XE?

A: In R15, the i9-9990XE scores 364 vs the Xeon W-2195's 338, a 7.7% lead. In both R20 and R23, the advantage is 7.6%, with scores of 1519 vs 1412 and 3619 vs 3363 respectively.

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The Xeon W-2195 has 18 cores and 36 threads. The Core i9-9990XE has 14 cores and 28 threads. Despite fewer cores, the i9-9990XE still wins every multi-core benchmark.

Q: Does the Xeon W-2195 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon W-2195 supports ECC memory. The Core i9-9990XE does not support ECC memory. Both use DDR4 memory with a quad-channel bus and identical 85.3 GB/s memory bandwidth.

Q: How do the two processors compare in average benchmark score?

A: The i9-9990XE has an average benchmark score of 7415, while the Xeon W-2195 averages 6892. Both are at the 63rd percentile among all CPUs.

Q: Are both processors on the same socket?

A: Yes, both use Intel Socket 2066. They share the same Skylake architecture and 14 nm process node, though the Xeon is codenamed Skylake-W and the Core i9 is Skylake-X.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same underlying Skylake architecture, but Intel has implemented them with different configurations. The most obvious difference is core count: the i9-9990XE has 14 cores and 28 threads, while the Xeon W-2195 has 18 cores and 36 threads. Despite this, the i9-9990XE maintains a higher clock speed profile, with a base clock of 4.00 GHz and boost clock of 5.10 GHz, versus the Xeon's 2.30 GHz base and 4.30 GHz boost. This clock advantage more than compensates for the four-core deficit in every benchmark.

The L3 cache also differs. The i9-9990XE has 19.25 MB of shared L3, while the Xeon W-2195 has 24.75 MB. Both have identical L1 and L2 cache structures: 64 KB per core and 1 MB per core respectively. Interestingly, the die size is only recorded for the Xeon at 484 mm², while the i9's die size is not listed in the database. Both use 14 nm process and are manufactured by Intel.

Memory support is similar: both run DDR4 with quad-channel memory bus and 85.3 GB/s bandwidth. However, ECC memory is supported only on the Xeon W-2195. PCIe lanes differ as well: the Xeon W-2195 has 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), while the i9-9990XE has 44 lanes. The Xeon W-2195 is classified as a Server/Workstation part, while the i9-9990XE is a Desktop part. Both are End-of-life in production status.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core i9-9990XE | Intel Xeon W-2195 |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 14 | 18 |

| Threads | 28 | 36 |

| Base clock | 4.00 GHz | 2.30 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.10 GHz | 4.30 GHz |

| TDP | 255 | 140 |

| Codename | Skylake-X | Skylake-W |

| Generation | Core i9 Extreme (X-Series 9th Gen) | Xeon W (Skylake-W) |

| L3 cache | 19.25 MB shared | 24.75 MB shared |

| ECC memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe lanes | 44 | 48 |

| Market segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Release date | 2018-10-18 | 2017-08-28 |

| Multiplier | Unlocked | Locked |

| Part number | SREZA | SR3RX |

The TDP difference is stark: 255 W for the i9 versus 140 W for the Xeon. This is a direct consequence of the i9's much higher clock speeds. The Xeon also has a larger die size of 484 mm², while the i9's die size is not recorded. The i9-9990XE was released over a year later than the Xeon W-2195.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-9990XE wins every benchmark in the database, so its victory is absolute across all tested workloads. It is 7.6% to 7.7% faster in every Cinebench test, which spans both single-core and multi-core workloads. The i9's data shows a consistent 7.6% lead in multi-core tests, despite having 4 fewer cores. This implies the i9 is better for any workload that relies on raw speed per thread, such as single-threaded applications or lightly threaded tasks.

The Xeon W-2195, while slower in all benchmarks, offers features that the i9 lacks: ECC memory support, 48 PCIe lanes vs 44, a larger L3 cache at 24.75 MB, and a lower 140 W TDP. It also has 18 cores versus the i9's 14, which could theoretically help in heavily parallel workloads, but the benchmark data shows the i9 still wins by 7.6% even in multi-core. The Xeon's advantage is not in performance but in reliability features: ECC memory, lower power draw, and a server-grade market position.

The i9 has a higher boost clock of 5.10 GHz and base clock of 4.00 GHz, which drives its benchmark dominance. The Xeon's base clock of 2.30 GHz is much lower, but its TDP is 115 W lower, making it more power-efficient under load. The Xeon's larger L3 cache (24.75 MB vs 19.25 MB) does not translate into a benchmark win, suggesting the i9's clock speed matters more than raw cache size in these tests.

The Verdict

The verdict is clear from the data. The Intel Core i9-9990XE is the faster processor in every recorded benchmark. If the task is maximizing performance, the i9-9990XE is the only choice, as it leads by 7.6% across the board. Its 4.0 GHz base and 5.1 GHz boost clocks are the decisive factors, overpowering the Xeon's superior core count and cache size.

The Intel Xeon W-2195 should be selected where its specific features matter more than speed. It offers ECC memory support, which is critical for error-sensitive workloads. It has a lower 140 W TDP, which reduces cooling and power costs. It also has 48 PCIe lanes, providing better bandwidth for expansion cards. Its larger L3 cache and 18 cores are not enough to overcome the i9's clock advantage in the benchmarked suite.

Users who need maximum Cinebench performance, whether single-core or multi-core, should choose the i9-9990XE. Users who need ECC memory, lower power consumption, or more PCIe lanes, and are willing to accept a 7.6% performance deficit, should choose the Xeon W-2195. Both are end-of-life products with identical 63rd percentile standings. The i9 is faster; the Xeon is more feature-complete for workstation and server duty.