CPU Comparison

The Intel Xeon E-2374G and Intel Core i3-12100T are both 4-core, 8-thread processors that land at the same 53rd percentile among all CPUs, with near-identical average benchmark scores (3278 vs 3277). However, their performance profiles diverge clearly across the Cinebench suite, with the Xeon E-2374G winning every head-to-head test by a consistent margin of 8–8.1%. The Core i3-12100T counters with a lower 35W TDP, a more modern 10 nm process node, and support for DDR5 memory, making this a choice between raw benchmark supremacy and platform efficiency.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data is unambiguous: the Xeon E-2374G wins all six head-to-head Cinebench comparisons. In multi-core tests, the Xeon scores 1142 in Cinebench R15 versus 1057 for the i3-12100T, an 8% lead. That gap persists in Cinebench R20, where the Xeon posts 4760 against 4405, and in R23, where it scores 11335 versus 10490, both also 8.1% advantages. For a 4-core part, an 8% multi-core margin across three generations of the Cinebench workload indicates the Xeon’s higher sustained throughput is consistent, not a single-test anomaly.

Single-core results tell the same story, with the Xeon E-2374G ahead by 8% in R15 (161 vs 149), 8% in R20 (672 vs 622), and 8% in R23 (1600 vs 1481). Notably, the single-core deltas are nearly identical to the multi-core ones, suggesting the Xeon’s advantage comes from per-core performance rather than scaling. The i3-12100T does have one benchmark the Xeon lacks, Geekbench scores of 6055 multi-core and 1957 single-core, but since the Xeon has no Geekbench result in the data, no direct comparison can be made there.

The average benchmark scores are effectively tied: 3278 for the Xeon, 3277 for the i3. The nearest rival list confirms this, showing a 0% delta between the two. Yet the head-to-head results show the Xeon winning every shared test. This means the i3-12100T’s overall standing is buoyed by its Geekbench performance, while the Xeon’s Cinebench dominance is its defining characteristic. For workloads that mirror Cinebench’s rendering and 3D tasks, the Xeon E-2374G is the clear performer.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from different Intel generations and manufacturing nodes. The Xeon E-2374G uses Rocket Lake-E architecture on a 14 nm process, with a die size of 276 mm². The Core i3-12100T uses Alder Lake-S architecture on a 10 nm process, with a smaller 163 mm² die. The 10 nm node gives the i3 a transistor-density advantage, though the Xeon’s larger die area suggests a more robust power delivery and thermal solution for its server/workstation segment.

Clock speeds differ substantially. The Xeon E-2374G has a 3.70 GHz base clock and a 5.00 GHz boost clock, while the i3-12100T operates at 2.20 GHz base and 4.10 GHz boost. That 0.9 GHz boost-clock advantage for the Xeon explains its consistent single-core wins. The Xeon also has a much higher TDP at 80W versus 35W for the i3, which allows it to maintain higher clocks under load but at the cost of more heat and power draw.

Cache layouts differ in size and allocation. Both have 80 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core on the Xeon, but the i3’s L2 is larger at 1.25 MB per core. The L3 cache is 8 MB shared on the Xeon versus 12 MB shared on the i3. So while the i3 has more total cache (2.5 MB L2 per core plus 12 MB L3 versus 1 MB L2 per core plus 8 MB L3), the Xeon’s higher clocks compensate in benchmark results.

Memory support and platform features are starkly different. The Xeon E-2374G supports DDR4 only, with dual-channel memory and a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, plus ECC memory support. The i3-12100T supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, but has no ECC support and no listed memory bandwidth figure. The Xeon uses Intel Socket 1200 and PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the i3 uses Intel Socket 1700 and PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes. The i3’s PCIe Gen 5 support is a forward-looking feature, but the Xeon’s ECC and server-grade memory stability target a different buyer.

Integrated graphics differ as well: the Xeon has UHD Graphics P750, while the i3 has UHD Graphics 730. Both are entry-level iGPUs, but the P750 is positioned for workstation use, whereas the 730 is a desktop part. The Xeon’s market segment is explicitly “Server/Workstation,” while the i3 is “Desktop,” which frames their intended roles.

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon E-2374G wins every benchmark it shares with the i3-12100T. Its 8% lead in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both single- and multi-core, makes it the superior choice for rendering, 3D modeling, and any CPU-bound workstation task that scales with clock speed. The 5.00 GHz boost clock is the key differentiator here; it gives the Xeon a decisive edge in single-threaded workloads like legacy software or lightly threaded applications. For a server or workstation environment where ECC memory is non-negotiable, the Xeon is the only option of the two, as the i3 lacks ECC support entirely.

The Core i3-12100T wins in efficiency and platform modernity. Its 35W TDP is less than half the Xeon’s 80W, making it far easier to cool in a compact desktop build. The 10 nm process node and support for both DDR4 and DDR5 give it a path to newer memory technologies, and PCIe Gen 5 connectivity is a generational upgrade over the Xeon’s Gen 4. The i3’s larger L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB) and bigger per-core L2 (1.25 MB vs 512 KB) suggest it may handle cache-sensitive workloads better, though the Cinebench data does not reflect that advantage. Its Geekbench scores, 6055 multi-core and 1957 single-core, are the only benchmark results in the pack that the Xeon cannot match, though the Xeon has no Geekbench data to contest them.

The i3 also wins on integrated graphics efficiency for basic desktop use; the UHD 730 is sufficient for office tasks and video playback, whereas the Xeon’s P750 is aimed at professional graphics acceleration. For a home or small-office desktop that idles most of the day, the i3’s lower power draw and quieter operation are practical wins.

The Verdict

Choose the Intel Xeon E-2374G if your priority is raw CPU performance in Cinebench-style workloads. It wins every head-to-head test by 8–8.1%, and its 5.00 GHz boost clock is a full 0.9 GHz higher than the i3-12100T’s. The Xeon is the only one of the two with ECC memory support, making it the data-integrity pick for a workstation or entry server. Its 80W TDP and 14 nm process are older, but the benchmark data shows that does not hurt its performance, it beats the i3 in every shared test. The launch MSRP is $334.

Choose the Intel Core i3-12100T if efficiency and platform longevity matter more than a small performance edge. Its 35W TDP is less than half the Xeon’s, which simplifies cooling and lowers operating costs. The 10 nm node, DDR5 support, and PCIe Gen 5 make it a more future-proof foundation for a desktop build. Its Geekbench scores, 6055 multi-core and 1957 single-core, show strong performance in that test suite, even if it loses to the Xeon in Cinebench. The launch MSRP is $122. For a general-purpose desktop where you do not need ECC and want the latest memory and PCIe standards, the i3-12100T is the rational pick. For a dedicated render node or a server where the 8% Cinebench lead and ECC are essential, the Xeon E-2374G justifies its higher price.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2374G has a 5.00 GHz boost clock, while the Intel Core i3-12100T boosts to 4.10 GHz.

Q: Does the Intel Core i3-12100T support ECC memory?

A: No, the i3-12100T does not support ECC memory. The Xeon E-2374G does support ECC memory.

Q: What are the Cinebench R23 multi-core scores for each?

A: The Xeon E-2374G scores 11335, and the i3-12100T scores 10490, giving the Xeon an 8.1% lead.

Q: Which CPU has a larger L3 cache?

A: The i3-12100T has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Xeon E-2374G has 8 MB.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Xeon E-2374G has a TDP of 80W, and the i3-12100T has a TDP of 35W.

Q: Do both CPUs support PCIe Gen 5?

A: No, only the i3-12100T supports PCIe Gen 5. The Xeon E-2374G supports PCIe Gen 4.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E-2374G | Intel Core i3-12100T |

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

| Base Clock | 3.70 GHz | 2.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 4.10 GHz |

| TDP | 80W | 35W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1200 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Rocket Lake | Alder Lake |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 10 nm |

| Die Size | 276 mm² | 163 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | Not listed |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes | Gen 5, 20 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics P750 | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Launch MSRP | $334 | $122 |

| Part Number | SRKN3 | SRL64 |