Intel Core i3-9350KF vs Intel Xeon W-2123 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i3-9350KF has an average benchmark score of 2082, while the Intel Xeon W-2123 scores 2079. The delta between them is 0.2%, with the Xeon trailing by 0.1% when viewed from its own perspective.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in multi-core Cinebench R23 performance?

A: The Xeon W-2123 scores 7189 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 11.6% higher than the Core i3-9350KF's 6352. This is the largest absolute performance gap in the head-to-head results.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i3-9350KF and the Intel Xeon W-2123 list ECC memory support as a feature, despite the former being a desktop part and the latter targeting server/workstation use.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth between the two?

A: The Xeon W-2123 offers 85.3 GB/s of memory bandwidth via its quad-channel memory bus, while the Core i3-9350KF provides 38.4 GB/s over a dual-channel bus. The Xeon's bandwidth is more than double.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Core i3-9350KF has a boost clock of 4.60 GHz, which is higher than the Xeon W-2123's 3.90 GHz. However, the Xeon still wins in every single-core benchmark in the head-to-head data.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. Both the Core i3-9350KF and the Xeon W-2123 are listed as end-of-life products, with the Core i3 released in 2019 and the Xeon released in 2017.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel architectures and serve different market segments. The Core i3-9350KF is built on Coffee Lake, specifically the Coffee Lake Refresh generation, and targets the desktop segment. The Xeon W-2123 uses Skylake-W architecture, part of the Xeon W generation, and is designed for server and workstation workloads.

Both are manufactured on Intel's 14 nm process node, but the similarities end there. The Core i3-9350KF has a die size of 126 mm², while the Xeon W-2123 has a substantially larger die at 484 mm². This size difference reflects the Xeon's more complex platform requirements, including a quad-channel memory controller and 48 PCIe lanes (Gen 3) compared to the Core i3's dual-channel memory and 16 PCIe lanes.

Core and thread counts differ meaningfully. The Core i3-9350KF has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Xeon W-2123 also has 4 cores but 8 threads due to Hyper-Threading support. This thread advantage directly contributes to the Xeon's multi-threaded benchmark superiority. The L2 cache also differs: the Core i3 has 256 KB per core, while the Xeon has 1 MB per core. Total L3 cache is close, with the Core i3 at 8 MB shared and the Xeon at 8.25 MB shared.

The Xeon W-2123 uses Intel Socket 2066, whereas the Core i3-9350KF uses Intel Socket 1151. The Xeon's TDP is higher at 120 watts versus the Core i3's 91 watts, reflecting the extra memory channels, PCIe lanes, and larger die. Neither processor includes integrated graphics, and both support DDR4 memory, though the Xeon's quad-channel bus provides a theoretical bandwidth advantage.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Xeon W-2123 wins all six head-to-head comparisons, with the Core i3-9350KF failing to secure a single victory. The consistency of the margin is notable — every test shows a delta of approximately 11.5–11.8% in favor of the Xeon.

In Cinebench R15, the Xeon scores 724 multi-core versus the Core i3's 640, a difference of 11.6%. The single-core test shows a similar pattern: the Xeon's 102 beats the Core i3's 90, an 11.8% advantage. These are not marginal wins; they represent a consistent per-thread performance lead for the Xeon despite its lower base clock of 3.60 GHz versus 4.00 GHz and lower boost clock of 3.90 GHz versus 4.60 GHz.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the Xeon again leads by 11.7% in multi-core (3019 versus 2667) and 11.5% in single-core (425 versus 376). The single-core margins are particularly telling because they eliminate the Xeon's thread advantage as a factor. The Xeon's architectural efficiency in Skylake-W delivers higher instructions-per-clock than Coffee Lake in these workloads, even at lower clock speeds.

Cinebench R23 repeats the pattern: the Xeon scores 7189 multi-core and 1014 single-core, while the Core i3 manages 6352 and 896 respectively. Both deltas are 11.6%. Across all six tests, the average performance gap is roughly 11.6%, which aligns with the 0.2% difference in overall average benchmark scores — the Xeon's lead is consistent across the board.

The nearest rival data places these two CPUs in the same performance tier. The Core i3-9350KF's nearest rivals include the Xeon W-2123 (delta 0.2%) and the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 (delta -0.2%). The Xeon's nearest rivals include the Core i3 (delta -0.1%) and the Xeon E5-2628 v3 (delta 0.1%). Both CPUs sit at the 46th percentile of all CPUs, meaning they perform similarly overall, even though the Xeon wins every head-to-head test.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear, if narrow, overall winner: the Intel Xeon W-2123. It outperforms the Core i3-9350KF in every benchmark test conducted, with margins consistently around 11.6%. For workloads that rely on multi-threaded rendering or computation — as represented by Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 — the Xeon's 8 threads provide a tangible advantage over the Core i3's 4 threads. The Xeon also offers superior platform features: quad-channel memory with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth, 48 PCIe lanes, and a larger L2 cache per core.

However, the Core i3-9350KF is not without its merits. It achieves a slightly higher average benchmark score (2082 versus 2079) when considering all benchmarks, and its higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz suggests it may perform better in lightly threaded, clock-sensitive tasks not captured in the head-to-head data. Its 91-watt TDP is substantially lower than the Xeon's 120 watts, and its smaller die and simpler platform may be easier to integrate into desktop systems.

For users choosing between these two end-of-life processors, the decision should hinge on workload characteristics and platform requirements. The Xeon W-2123 is the better choice for multi-threaded workloads, memory-bandwidth-intensive applications, and systems requiring extensive PCIe connectivity. The Core i3-9350KF, with its higher clocks and lower power draw, may suffice for basic desktop tasks and single-threaded applications, especially where the platform cost and complexity of Socket 2066 is a concern.

The percentile ranking of 46th for both CPUs confirms they are near-identical in overall performance, with the Xeon's consistent head-to-head wins making it the safer pick for demanding applications.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-9350KF | Intel Xeon W-2123 |

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

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 4.00 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.60 GHz | 3.90 GHz |

| TDP | 91 W | 120 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | Intel Socket 2066 |

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Skylake |

| Codename | Coffee Lake | Skylake-W |

| Generation | Core i3 (Coffee Lake Refresh) | Xeon W (Skylake-W) |

| Die Size | 126 mm² | 484 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 8.25 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Quad-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | 85.3 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 48 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Release Date | 2019-01-07 | 2017-08-28 |

| Launch MSRP | $173 | $294 |

| Part Number | SRF7V | SR3LJ |

The two processors share several specifications: both have 4 cores, 64 KB L1 cache per core, 14 nm process, DDR4 memory support, ECC memory capability, no integrated graphics, and locked multipliers. Both are end-of-life products from Intel. The Xeon W-2123 distinguishes itself with more threads, larger caches, a wider memory bus, more PCIe lanes, and a higher TDP, while the Core i3-9350KF counters with higher clock speeds and a smaller die.