Intel Core i3-9100T vs Intel Xeon E-2124 Comparison

The Intel Xeon E-2124 and Intel Core i3-9100T are both 14 nm Coffee Lake parts with four cores and four threads, but the benchmark data shows a clear and consistent performance hierarchy. The Xeon E-2124 wins every recorded head-to-head test, with margins that hold remarkably steady across all workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Xeon E-2124 dominates the Core i3-9100T in every measured benchmark. In Cinebench R15, the Xeon scores 577 in multi-core versus 482 for the i3, a 19.7% advantage. The single-core gap is slightly larger, with the Xeon at 81 points and the i3 at 67, a 20.9% lead.

The pattern continues in Cinebench R20. The Xeon E-2124 posts 2408 multi-core and 339 single-core, while the i3-9100T manages 2010 and 283 respectively. Both deltas sit at exactly 19.8%. Cinebench R23 shows the same story: the Xeon reaches 5734 multi-core and 809 single-core, versus 4788 and 675 for the i3, with a 19.8% multi-core and 19.9% single-core delta.

The consistency of these margins is notable. Every test, whether it stresses all four cores or just one, lands within a narrow band of 19.7% to 20.9%. This suggests the Xeon's advantage is not workload-dependent but stems from fundamental architectural characteristics, namely its higher clock speeds.

The database also records a Geekbench result for the i3-9100T (3443 multi-core, 1215 single-core), but no comparable Geekbench scores exist for the Xeon E-2124, so those cannot be directly compared. Still, in the six Cinebench tests where both are measured, the Xeon wins all six. The head-to-head record is 6 wins for the Xeon, 0 for the i3.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same fundamental design: Coffee Lake architecture, 14 nm process node, 126 mm² die size, and Intel Socket 1151. Each has four cores and four threads, with 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The first major difference is clock speed. The Xeon E-2124 runs at a 3.30 GHz base and 4.30 GHz boost, while the i3-9100T runs at 3.10 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost. The Xeon's 0.60 GHz boost advantage is largely responsible for the consistent 20% benchmark lead.

Cache allocation differs as well. The Xeon E-2124 carries 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i3-9100T has 6 MB. That 2 MB difference can help in workloads with moderate data reuse.

Thermal design power is a stark contrast. The Xeon E-2124 has a 71 W TDP, while the i3-9100T is rated at just 35 W. This makes the i3 a low-power part, trading performance for efficiency, while the Xeon pushes much higher power draw for its performance.

Memory bandwidth also favors the Xeon: 42.7 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s for the i3, despite both using dual-channel DDR4. The Xeon also carries different integrated graphics: UHD Graphics P630 versus the i3's UHD Graphics 630.

Both support ECC memory, which is unusual for a consumer i3 and aligns with the Xeon's server/workstation positioning. The Xeon E-2124 belongs to the Xeon E-2100 series with the Coffee Lake-S WS codename, while the i3-9100T is a Coffee Lake Refresh desktop part. The Xeon's market segment is listed as Server/Workstation; the i3's is Desktop.

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon E-2124 wins every recorded benchmark, so its advantage is universal in the measured tests. Its higher boost clock, larger cache, and greater memory bandwidth make it the stronger choice for any CPU-bound task. The 20% edge in both single-core and multi-core Cinebench scores means it will handle rendering, compilation, and general productivity with noticeably better performance.

The Core i3-9100T's only recorded advantage is power consumption. At 35 W TDP, it uses less than half the power of the Xeon E-2124's 71 W. For systems where thermal management is critical, such as small form factor builds or passively cooled setups, the i3 is the practical choice despite its lower scores.

The i3 also has a much lower launch MSRP: $122 versus $198 for the Xeon. However, this comparison must be stated without further pricing analysis. The i3's integrated UHD Graphics 630 may be sufficient for basic display output, and the Xeon's P630 is similar, though neither is designed for gaming or GPU compute.

For pure performance, the Xeon E-2124 is the clear winner. For power-sensitive deployments, the i3-9100T has a legitimate role. The i3's 39th percentile versus the Xeon's 40th percentile among all CPUs shows they sit at nearly the same overall performance tier, but the head-to-head data shows the Xeon is consistently ahead within that tier.

The Verdict

The data points to one conclusion: the Intel Xeon E-2124 is the superior processor in every measured benchmark. It leads by approximately 20% across all Cinebench tests, with a 19.7% to 20.9% range. Its 4.30 GHz boost clock, 8 MB L3 cache, and 42.7 GB/s memory bandwidth give it a decisive edge over the i3-9100T's 3.70 GHz, 6 MB, and 38.4 GB/s.

The Core i3-9100T is not without merit. Its 35 W TDP makes it far more energy-efficient, and its $122 launch MSRP is lower than the Xeon's $198. But for anyone prioritizing performance, the Xeon E-2124 is the answer. The 20% multi-core margin in Cinebench R23 (5734 versus 4788) is substantial enough to be felt in real rendering and compilation workloads.

The Xeon's server/workstation positioning is reflected in its ECC memory support and higher power envelope. The i3's desktop positioning with ECC support is a rarity, but its low clock speeds cap its potential. The Xeon E-2124 is the pick for workstations and serious desktop productivity; the i3-9100T suits low-power or thermally constrained systems where its 35 W draw is an asset.

Both parts are end-of-life, so these comparisons are historical. But within the recorded data, the Xeon E-2124 is the definitive winner with all six head-to-head wins.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in single-core performance?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2124 wins all three single-core Cinebench tests. It leads by 20.9% in R15 (81 versus 67), 19.8% in R20 (339 versus 283), and 19.9% in R23 (809 versus 675).

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes. Both the Xeon E-2124 and the Core i3-9100T have ECC memory support listed in the database, an unusual feature for the consumer i3.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Xeon E-2124 has a 71 W TDP, while the Core i3-9100T is rated at 35 W, meaning the i3 draws less than half the power.

Q: How much L3 cache does each CPU have?

A: The Xeon E-2124 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Core i3-9100T has 6 MB.

Q: What are the launch MSRP values?

A: The Xeon E-2124 has a launch MSRP of $198, and the Core i3-9100T has a launch MSRP of $122.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The Xeon E-2124 boosts to 4.30 GHz, while the Core i3-9100T boosts to 3.70 GHz, a 0.60 GHz difference.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E-2124 | Intel Core i3-9100T |

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

| Base Clock | 3.30 GHz | 3.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.30 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| TDP | 71 W | 35 W |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 42.7 GB/s | 38.4 GB/s |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics P630 | UHD Graphics 630 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Codename | Coffee Lake-S WS | Coffee Lake |

| Generation | Xeon E (Coffee Lake) | Core i3 (Coffee Lake Refresh) |

| Part Number | SR3WQ | SRCZX |

| Launch MSRP | $198 | $122 |

| Release Date | 2018-07-11 | 2018-08-31 |

| Avg Benchmark Score | 1658 | 1620 |

| Percentile vs All CPUs | 40 | 39 |