Intel Core i3-9350KF vs Intel Xeon E-2224G Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clean sweep for the Intel Xeon E-2224G, which wins all eight head-to-head comparisons against the Intel Core i3-9350KF. The margins are mostly narrow, but the pattern is consistent across every workload tested. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 644 against 640 for the Core i3, a 0.6% edge. Single-core performance in the same test is a dead heat at 90 points for both processors. Moving to Cinebench R20, the Xeon posts 2687 multi-core versus 2667, a 0.7% advantage, and 379 single-core versus 376, a 0.8% lead. The Cinebench R23 results mirror that trend: 6398 versus 6352 multi-core (0.7%) and 903 versus 896 single-core (0.8%).

The largest divergence appears in Geekbench multi-core, where the Xeon E-2224G scores 4299 against the Core i3's 4098, a 4.9% gap. That is the most decisive difference in the entire comparison and suggests the Xeon handles the mixed workload mix of Geekbench more effectively. In Geekbench single-core, the two are nearly identical at 1535 versus 1534, a 0.1% margin. The overall average benchmark scores reflect this: the Xeon averages 2117 points, while the Core i3 averages 2082. The Xeon's percentile ranking among all CPUs sits at 46, matching the Core i3's 46, putting both processors in the same broad performance tier despite the Xeon's consistent wins.

The Xeon's nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Atom C5125 with an average score of 2122 and a delta of -0.2%, the Intel Core i7-1160G7 at 2124 with a delta of -0.3%, the Intel Core i5-8500T at 2110 with a delta of 0.3%, and the Intel Core i5-8259U at 2108 with a delta of 0.4%. The Core i3-9350KF, meanwhile, sits near the Intel Xeon W-2123 at 2079 (0.2% delta), the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 at 2086 (-0.2% delta), the Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 at 2076 (0.3% delta), and the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X at 2094 (-0.6% delta). These surrounding scores confirm that both chips occupy a crowded mid-range segment where small percentage swings separate entries.

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon E-2224G wins every recorded benchmark, so the use-case split is heavily slanted toward the server/workstation part. For multi-threaded rendering tasks, the Xeon leads by 0.6% in Cinebench R15, 0.7% in R20, and 0.7% in R23. These are small but real advantages that could accumulate over long render jobs. The Geekbench multi-core result is the outlier at 4.9%, indicating that the Xeon has a more substantial edge in workloads that mix integer, floating-point, and memory-related operations. Users running database queries, VM hosts, or other server-style workloads would see the largest relative benefit from the Xeon's architecture.

For single-threaded tasks, the story is essentially a tie. The Xeon leads by 0.8% in both Cinebench R20 and R23 single-core, but by only 0.1% in Geekbench single-core and 0% in Cinebench R15 single-core. Applications that depend on one fast core, such as older games or lightly threaded productivity tools, would show no meaningful difference between these two chips. The Core i3-9350KF has a higher base clock at 4.00 GHz versus the Xeon's 3.50 GHz, but the Xeon counters with a higher boost clock at 4.70 GHz versus 4.60 GHz. The measured single-core scores reflect that boost advantage, not the base clock difference.

The Core i3 does not win any category in the recorded data. Its market segment is desktop, and it lacks integrated graphics entirely, while the Xeon includes HD Graphics P630. For buyers who do not need a discrete GPU, the Xeon's integrated graphics provide a functional display output and basic graphics acceleration, which is a practical advantage for servers and workstations. The Core i3's higher TDP of 91 watts versus the Xeon's 71 watts also means the Xeon achieves its benchmark wins with a lower thermal envelope, which matters in dense server chassis or small workstations where heat dissipation is limited. The Xeon's memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s versus the Core i3's 38.4 GB/s further supports the server-oriented positioning.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 14 nm process node with a die size of 126 mm², and both use the Coffee Lake architecture. The Xeon E-2224G carries the codename Coffee Lake-S WS, while the Core i3-9350KF uses the plain Coffee Lake codename with a Coffee Lake Refresh generation tag. Both have 4 cores and 4 threads, so there is no hyper-threading on either chip. The cache hierarchy is identical: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache.

The socket is the same Intel Socket 1151 for both, and both support DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The Xeon offers ECC memory support, a key feature for server and workstation reliability. The Core i3-9350KF also lists ECC memory as true in the database, which is unusual for a mainstream desktop chip but present in the recorded data. The PCIe implementation is identical as well: Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The most visible difference is integrated graphics. The Xeon E-2224G includes HD Graphics P630, while the Core i3-9350KF has no integrated graphics at all. The "KF" suffix in the Core i3 naming historically indicates an unlocked multiplier without graphics, but the database records multiplierUnlocked as false for this chip, so that aspect of the name does not reflect the recorded specifications. The Xeon is marked as server/workstation market segment, while the Core i3 is marked as desktop. The Xeon was released on 2019-05-28, while the Core i3 arrived earlier on 2019-01-07. Both are end-of-life products now.

The memory bandwidth difference is notable: the Xeon reaches 42.7 GB/s, which is 11% higher than the Core i3's 38.4 GB/s. This aligns with the Geekbench multi-core result, where the Xeon pulled ahead by 4.9%, the largest margin in the comparison. Memory-bound workloads would likely show a more pronounced advantage for the Xeon beyond even what the CPU core benchmarks capture. The TDP difference, 71 watts for the Xeon versus 91 watts for the Core i3, also reflects different design priorities, with the Xeon tuned for efficiency in always-on environments and the Core i3 tuned for higher sustained clocks on desktop power budgets.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2224G boosts to 4.70 GHz, while the Intel Core i3-9350KF boosts to 4.60 GHz. The base clocks favor the Core i3 at 4.00 GHz versus the Xeon's 3.50 GHz.

Q: Does the Core i3-9350KF include integrated graphics?

A: No, the database records no integrated graphics for the Core i3-9350KF. The Xeon E-2224G includes HD Graphics P630.

Q: Which chip supports ECC memory?

A: Both the Xeon E-2224G and the Core i3-9350KF are recorded as supporting ECC memory. The Xeon also has higher memory bandwidth at 42.7 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s.

Q: How big is the performance gap in multi-core workloads?

A: The Xeon leads by 0.6% in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 0.7% in R20, 0.7% in R23, and 4.9% in Geekbench multi-core. The average benchmark scores are 2117 for the Xeon and 2082 for the Core i3.

Q: Are these processors on the same socket?

A: Yes, both use Intel Socket 1151 and are built on the same 14 nm process with a 126 mm² die size. Both have 4 cores, 4 threads, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which chip has a lower TDP?

A: The Xeon E-2224G has a TDP of 71 watts, while the Core i3-9350KF has a TDP of 91 watts. The Xeon delivers its benchmark wins with lower power consumption.

The Verdict

The data points decisively to the Intel Xeon E-2224G as the stronger performer across every recorded benchmark. It wins all eight head-to-head comparisons, with margins ranging from a negligible 0.1% in Geekbench single-core to a substantial 4.9% in Geekbench multi-core. The Xeon also offers integrated graphics, ECC memory support, higher memory bandwidth, and a lower TDP, making it the more complete package for server and workstation deployments. Its launch MSRP was $213.

The Intel Core i3-9350KF does not win a single recorded benchmark. Its higher base clock of 4.00 GHz does not translate into a single-core victory, as the Xeon's higher boost clock of 4.70 GHz wins or ties every single-threaded test. The Core i3 lacks integrated graphics, which forces a discrete GPU purchase for any system build, and its higher TDP of 91 watts provides no performance benefit in the measured data. Its launch MSRP was $173.

The choice depends on the use case. For a server, workstation, or any environment where ECC memory, integrated graphics fallback, and memory bandwidth matter, the Xeon E-2224G is the clear pick from the recorded data. For a desktop build with a dedicated GPU where the user does not need integrated graphics and wants a lower upfront processor cost, the Core i3-9350KF could suffice, but it sacrifices performance in every measured category. Both chips sit at the 46th percentile among all CPUs, confirming they are peers in the broader market, yet the Xeon consistently edges ahead in the direct comparison. The database shows a narrow but uniform victory for the Xeon E-2224G.