Intel Core i3-1125G4 vs Intel Xeon E-2234 Comparison

The Intel Core i3-1125G4 and the Intel Xeon E-2234 are both 4-core, 8-thread processors, yet they are engineered for entirely different environments. The data shows a consistent performance advantage for the Xeon E-2234 across every recorded benchmark, but the Core i3-1125G4 counters with a significantly lower power envelope and a newer architecture. This analysis compares the recorded measurements to determine which processor excels in which workload.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are unambiguous: the Intel Xeon E-2234 wins all six recorded head-to-head comparisons. The margins are narrow but consistent, with the Xeon leading by 4.2% to 4.3% in every test. This uniformity suggests a fundamental clock-speed advantage rather than an architectural superiority, as the performance gap remains stable regardless of whether the workload scales with cores or single-thread performance.

In Cinebench R15, the Xeon E-2234 scores 827 in the multicore test against the Core i3-1125G4's 792, a 4.2% lead. The single-core result is similar: 116 versus 111, a 4.3% advantage. Moving to Cinebench R20, the Xeon again leads by 4.3% in both multicore (3448 vs 3301) and single-core (486 vs 465). The pattern holds in Cinebench R23, where the Xeon posts 8210 multicore and 1159 single-core, against the Core i3's 7860 and 1109, respectively, both representing 4.3% advantages.

The Geekbench results, recorded only for the Core i3-1125G4, show scores of 4509 multicore and 1461 single-core. These figures are not directly comparable to the Xeon E-2234, as the latter lacks a Geekbench entry in the database. However, the Cinebench results are sufficient to establish the Xeon's dominance.

The average benchmark score further illustrates the gap. The Core i3-1125G4 holds an average of 2451, placing it at the 48th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-8600 (average 2454, 0.1% higher) and the Intel Xeon D-1541 (average 2447, 0.1% lower). The Xeon E-2234, with an average of 2374, also sits at the 48th percentile, but its nearest rivals are different: the Intel Xeon E-2226GE (2365, 0.4% higher), the Intel Core i5-8600T (2383, 0.4% lower), and the AMD Ryzen 5 2500X (2361, 0.6% higher). The Xeon's average is lower than the Core i3's despite winning every head-to-head test, which indicates that the broader benchmark suite in the database includes workloads where the Core i3's other characteristics, such as its integrated graphics, play a role.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and are built on different process nodes. The Core i3-1125G4 uses the Tiger Lake architecture, specifically Tiger Lake-U, fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process. Its die size is 144 mm². The Xeon E-2234, in contrast, is based on the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically Coffee Lake-S WS, on the older 14 nm process, with a die size of 126 mm². The newer 10 nm node gives the Core i3 a density advantage, but the Xeon compensates with much higher clock speeds.

The Core i3-1125G4 has a base clock of 2000 MHz and a boost clock of 3700 MHz, while the Xeon E-2234 runs at a base of 3600 MHz and boosts to 4800 MHz. This 1100 MHz boost advantage for the Xeon is the primary driver of its consistent 4.3% lead in the recorded benchmarks. The Core i3's 15 W TDP is drastically lower than the Xeon's 71 W TDP, reflecting its mobile orientation versus the Xeon's server/workstation focus.

Cache configurations also differ. The Core i3-1125G4 has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, while the Xeon E-2234 has 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core. Both share 8 MB of L3 cache. The Core i3's larger per-core L1 and L2 caches are a feature of the newer Tiger Lake design, but they do not overcome the Xeon's clock advantage in the tested workloads.

Memory support differentiates the two as well. The Core i3-1125G4 supports both DDR4 and LPDDR4X in a dual-channel configuration, while the Xeon E-2234 supports only DDR4, also dual-channel, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The Core i3 lacks ECC memory support, whereas the Xeon E-2234 includes it, a critical feature for server and workstation reliability. The Core i3 offers PCIe Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Xeon provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics also differ: the Core i3 features Iris Xe-LP Graphics G4, while the Xeon has UHD Graphics P630.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2234 has a boost clock of 4800 MHz, compared to the Intel Core i3-1125G4's 3700 MHz.

Q: How much larger is the L2 cache on the Core i3-1125G4?

A: The Core i3-1125G4 has 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, while the Xeon E-2234 has 256 KB per core.

Q: Does the Core i3-1125G4 support ECC memory?

A: No, the Core i3-1125G4 does not support ECC memory. The Xeon E-2234 does support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Core i3-1125G4 has an average benchmark score of 2451, while the Xeon E-2234 has an average of 2374.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two processors?

A: The Core i3-1125G4 has a TDP of 15 W, while the Xeon E-2234 has a TDP of 71 W.

Q: Are these processors on the same manufacturing process?

A: No, the Core i3-1125G4 uses a 10 nm process, while the Xeon E-2234 uses a 14 nm process.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear choice based on use case. For raw compute performance in the recorded Cinebench tests, the Intel Xeon E-2234 is the superior processor. It wins every head-to-head benchmark by a consistent margin of approximately 4.3%, a result of its higher base and boost clocks. Users running multi-threaded workloads, such as video rendering or scientific computation, will see better results with the Xeon E-2234.

However, the Core i3-1125G4 is not without its merits. Its 15 W TDP is a fraction of the Xeon's 71 W, making it suitable for thermally constrained mobile environments where power efficiency is paramount. The newer 10 nm Tiger Lake architecture provides larger per-core L1 and L2 caches, and its support for LPDDR4X memory and PCIe Gen 4 indicates a more modern platform. The Core i3 also supports faster memory types and includes a more capable integrated GPU, the Iris Xe-LP Graphics G4, compared to the Xeon's UHD Graphics P630.

The database shows both processors at the 48th percentile of all CPUs, indicating they are mid-range performers. The Xeon E-2234's average benchmark score of 2374 is lower than the Core i3-1125G4's 2451, despite the Xeon's head-to-head wins, suggesting that the Core i3's other capabilities contribute to its overall standing in the broader benchmark suite.

For a server or workstation requiring ECC memory and sustained multi-threaded performance, the Xeon E-2234 is the clear choice. For a mobile device prioritizing low power consumption and modern features, the Core i3-1125G4 is the appropriate option. The Xeon's launch MSRP was $250, while the Core i3's launch MSRP was $281, but the decision should rest on the workload and platform requirements, not on the original pricing.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-1125G4 | Intel Xeon E-2234 |

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

| Base Clock | 2000 MHz | 3600 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 3700 MHz | 4800 MHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 71 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1449 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Tiger Lake | Coffee Lake |

| Codename | Tiger Lake-U | Coffee Lake-S WS |

| Generation | Core i3 (Willow Cove-U) | Xeon E (Coffee Lake) |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | 144 mm² | 126 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 256 KB (per core) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, LPDDR4X | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 42.7 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe-LP Graphics G4 | UHD Graphics P630 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Server/Workstation |

| Release Date | 2021-03-30 | 2019-05-28 |

| Launch MSRP | $281 | $250 |

| Part Number | SRK8S | SRFAX |