Intel Core i5-1030NG7 vs Intel Xeon E-2104G Comparison

The Intel Core i5-1030NG7 and Intel Xeon E-2104G are both four-core Intel processors, but they occupy different corners of the market. The i5 is a mobile part with a 10W TDP, while the Xeon is a server and workstation chip with a 65W TDP. The recorded benchmark data shows a consistent advantage for the Xeon across all six Cinebench tests, though the i5 counters with more threads, a smaller process node, and higher memory bandwidth. This analysis walks through the architecture, head-to-head results, and the use cases each processor serves.

Where Each One Wins

The head-to-head data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon E-2104G wins all six recorded Cinebench benchmarks. The i5-1030NG7 does not win a single test. However, the i5 claims advantages in other recorded attributes. It has 8 threads versus the Xeon's 4, a higher memory bandwidth (51.2 GB/s vs 42.7 GB/s), and a much lower TDP (10W vs 65W). The i5 also uses a 10nm process node compared to the Xeon's 14nm, and its integrated graphics are listed as Iris Plus with 64 execution units, while the Xeon uses UHD Graphics P630. For workloads that rely on the specific Cinebench rendering tests, the Xeon is the clear winner. For mobile systems where power draw and socket compatibility matter, the i5 is the only option, given its BGA 1044 socket and low TDP. The Xeon, with its Socket 1151 and ECC memory support, targets server and workstation environments where those features are essential.

Architecture Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every architectural dimension. The i5 is built on Ice Lake (10nm) with a die size of 123 mm², while the Xeon uses Coffee Lake (14nm) with a die size of 126 mm². The i5 has 8 threads from 4 cores, whereas the Xeon has 4 threads from 4 cores. Base clocks diverge sharply: the i5 runs at 1.10 GHz with a boost of 3.50 GHz, while the Xeon runs at a fixed 3.20 GHz with no boost capability. TDP is 10W for the i5 and 65W for the Xeon. Cache layouts differ: the i5 has 80 KB of L1 per core and 6 MB of shared L3, while the Xeon has 64 KB of L1 per core and 8 MB of shared L3. Both share 256 KB of L2 per core. Memory support is DDR4 dual-channel for both, but bandwidth differs: 51.2 GB/s for the i5 versus 42.7 GB/s for the Xeon. ECC memory is supported only on the Xeon. PCIe is Gen 3 on both, but the Xeon lists 16 lanes (CPU only) while the i5 does not specify a lane count. Integrated graphics are Iris Plus (64EU) on the i5 and UHD Graphics P630 on the Xeon. The i5 is marked as Mobile, the Xeon as Server/Workstation. Release dates are 2020-03-17 for the i5 and 2018-07-11 for the Xeon. Both are end-of-life and have locked multipliers.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Xeon leads in every recorded Cinebench test, with margins that are small but consistent. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 488 against the i5's 479, a delta of -1.8% for the i5. The single-core R15 test shows 68 versus 67, a -1.5% delta. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core result is 2035 for the Xeon and 1998 for the i5, again -1.8%. The R20 single-core test gives 287 versus 281, a -2.1% delta. In Cinebench R23, the multi-core score is 4847 for the Xeon and 4759 for the i5, -1.8%, while the single-core score is 684 versus 671, -1.9%. The Xeon's advantage ranges from 1.5% to 2.1% across all tests. Notably, the i5 has twice the threads (8 vs 4) yet still trails in multi-core workloads. This suggests the Xeon's higher base clock (3.20 GHz vs 1.10 GHz) and larger L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB) more than compensate for the thread deficit. The i5's boost clock of 3.50 GHz does not appear to close the gap in these sustained rendering tasks.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Core i5-1030NG7 has 8 threads, while the Intel Xeon E-2104G has 4 threads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2104G supports ECC memory; the i5-1030NG7 does not.

Q: What is the difference in base clock speed?

A: The Xeon has a base clock of 3.20 GHz, while the i5 has a base clock of 1.10 GHz. The i5 also has a boost clock of 3.50 GHz, but the Xeon has no boost clock.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Xeon has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Xeon has an average benchmark score of 1402, placing it in the 37th percentile of all CPUs. The i5 has an average score of 1376, in the 36th percentile. The Xeon's nearest rival is the Xeon E3-1220 v5 with a delta of 0.1%, while the i5's nearest rival is the Core i5-4690 with a delta of 0.1%.

Q: Which processor has a higher memory bandwidth?

A: The i5 has a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the Xeon has 42.7 GB/s.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to the Intel Xeon E-2104G as the stronger performer in all Cinebench tests. It wins every head-to-head benchmark, with deltas ranging from -1.5% to -2.1% in its favor. The Xeon also offers ECC memory support, a higher base clock, and a larger L3 cache. Its launch MSRP is $193. The i5-1030NG7, however, is the only one of the two designed for mobile use, with a 10W TDP, a BGA 1044 socket, and 8 threads. It also has a higher memory bandwidth and a smaller 10nm process node. For users building a server or workstation where ECC and raw Cinebench performance matter, the Xeon is the clear choice. For a low-power mobile system, the i5 is the appropriate part, though its performance in these tests is slightly behind. The i5's nearest rivals include the Core i5-4690 and Ryzen 3 PRO 1200, all within 0.2% of its average score, while the Xeon sits within 0.4% of its nearest rivals. The Xeon's percentile rank of 37 versus the i5's 36 reflects its marginal overall advantage.

Specification Differences

• Threads: 8 (i5) vs 4 (Xeon)
• Base clock: 1.10 GHz (i5) vs 3.20 GHz (Xeon)
• Boost clock: 3.50 GHz (i5) vs none (Xeon)
• TDP: 10W (i5) vs 65W (Xeon)
• Socket: Intel BGA 1044 (i5) vs Intel Socket 1151 (Xeon)
• Architecture: Ice Lake (i5) vs Coffee Lake (Xeon)
• Process node: 10 nm (i5) vs 14 nm (Xeon)
• Die size: 123 mm² (i5) vs 126 mm² (Xeon)
• L1 cache per core: 80 KB (i5) vs 64 KB (Xeon)
• L3 cache: 6 MB shared (i5) vs 8 MB shared (Xeon)
• Memory bandwidth: 51.2 GB/s (i5) vs 42.7 GB/s (Xeon)
• ECC memory: false (i5) vs true (Xeon)
• PCIe: Gen 3 (i5) vs Gen 3, 16 Lanes CPU only (Xeon)
• Integrated graphics: Iris Plus 64EU (i5) vs UHD Graphics P630 (Xeon)
• Market segment: Mobile (i5) vs Server/Workstation (Xeon)
• Release date: 2020-03-17 (i5) vs 2018-07-11 (Xeon)
• Part number: SRGM7 (i5) vs SR3WV (Xeon)
• Launch MSRP: none (i5) vs $193 (Xeon)

Both processors share 4 cores, 256 KB of L2 per core, DDR4 dual-channel memory support, and end-of-life production status.