CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-1145GRE
Xeon E-2124G
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core i5-1145GRE vs Intel Xeon E-2124G
The Intel Xeon E-2124G and Intel Core i5-1145GRE are both 4-core processors, but they target entirely different segments: one is an end-of-life workstation chip, the other an active mobile part. Benchmark data shows the Core i5-1145GRE wins every head-to-head test, but the Xeon E-2124G still holds appeal for specific server/workstation use cases. The Xeon E-2124G is for builders who need a cheap, fixed-function CPU on the Intel Socket 1151 platform with ECC memory support and PCIe Gen 3 lanes for dedicated expansion. The Core i5-1145GRE is the better choice for anyone prioritizing raw compute speed, power efficiency, and modern platform features like PCIe Gen 4 and LPDDR4X support. Given that the i5-1145GRE leads by roughly 13% across all Cinebench tests and also offers hyper-threading, the mobile chip is the superior performer in almost every scenario.
The Verdict
Choose the Intel Xeon E-2124G if you are building a compact workstation or server on the LGA1151 platform and require ECC memory support. Its 71W TDP, while higher than the mobile chip, is typical for a socketed workstation part. The Xeon’s 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only) provide more direct expansion capability than the i5-1145GRE’s 4 lanes. It also has a higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz compared to 4.10 GHz, though this does not translate into a benchmark win.
Choose the Intel Core i5-1145GRE if you need the fastest possible performance in this comparison. The data is unambiguous: it wins all six head-to-head benchmarks, with a consistent 13% advantage in multi-core tests and a 12.8-13.1% lead in single-core tests. Its 8 threads (vs. 4) give it a significant throughput advantage in multi-threaded workloads. It is also an active, current production part with a 28W TDP, making it suitable for power-constrained mobile systems. Its launch MSRP is $362, which is higher than the Xeon’s $218.
The Xeon E-2124G’s 45th percentile ranking places it in the same performance tier as the i5-1145GRE, which also sits at the 45th percentile. However, the average benchmark score tells the story: the Xeon averages 2034, while the i5 averages 2025, yet the head-to-head tests show the i5 winning by a wide margin. This suggests the Xeon’s edge in the average metric comes from a different benchmark distribution, but the direct comparison favors the i5 decisively.
FAQ
Q: Which CPU has better multi-core performance?
A: The Intel Core i5-1145GRE wins every multi-core test. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 7001 versus the Xeon E-2124G’s 6092, a 13% difference. Its 8 threads versus 4 threads explains this consistent advantage.
Q: Does the Xeon E-2124G support ECC memory?
A: Yes, the Xeon E-2124G has ECC memory support. The Core i5-1145GRE also supports ECC memory, so this is not a differentiating factor.
Q: Which processor is more power-efficient?
A: The Core i5-1145GRE has a 28W TDP, while the Xeon E-2124G has a 71W TDP. The i5 delivers higher performance at less than half the TDP, making it the clear efficiency winner.
Q: Are these CPUs compatible with the same motherboard?
A: No. The Xeon E-2124G uses Intel Socket 1151, while the Core i5-1145GRE uses Intel BGA 1449. They are not interchangeable.
Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?
A: The Xeon E-2124G has a boost clock of 4.50 GHz, which is higher than the i5-1145GRE’s 4.10 GHz. Despite this, the i5 still wins all single-core benchmarks.
Q: Is the Xeon E-2124G still in production?
A: No, the Xeon E-2124G is marked as end-of-life. The Core i5-1145GRE is active and currently in production.
Architecture Differences
The Xeon E-2124G is built on Intel’s Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake-S WS codename, using a 14 nm process node. It belongs to the Xeon E-2100 series, a workstation/server line. The die size is 126 mm². Its cache layout consists of 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. It uses DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The integrated graphics are HD Graphics P630.
The Core i5-1145GRE uses the Tiger Lake architecture, with the Tiger Lake-U codename, built on a 10 nm process node. This is a newer, denser process. The die size is larger at 144 mm², but this includes the newer Willow Cove cores and a different cache hierarchy. It has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. Memory support includes both DDR4 and LPDDR4X, also on a dual-channel bus. Its integrated graphics are Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EU, which is a significantly more capable iGPU than the older HD Graphics P630. The i5 also supports PCIe Gen 4, while the Xeon is limited to PCIe Gen 3.
Specification Differences
The core and thread counts differ: the Xeon has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the i5 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The base clock is dramatically different: the Xeon runs at 3.40 GHz, while the i5’s base clock is listed at 1500.00 MHz (1.50 GHz), a low base for power saving, but its boost reaches 4.10 GHz. The Xeon’s boost is 4.50 GHz. TDP is 71W for the Xeon and 28W for the i5. The socket is Intel Socket 1151 versus Intel BGA 1449. The Xeon has a 126 mm² die; the i5 is 144 mm². Cache sizes differ per level: L1 is 64 KB vs 80 KB per core, L2 is 256 KB vs 1.25 MB per core, while L3 is the same at 8 MB shared. Memory bandwidth is specified only for the Xeon at 42.7 GB/s. PCIe lanes differ: the Xeon has 16 Gen 3 lanes, the i5 has 4 Gen 4 lanes. The Xeon’s integrated graphics are HD Graphics P630; the i5 uses Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EU. Market segment is Server/Workstation for the Xeon and Mobile for the i5. Production status is end-of-life for the Xeon, active for the i5. Release dates are 2018-07-11 and 2020-09-01, respectively. Launch MSRP is $218 for the Xeon and $362 for the i5.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The Core i5-1145GRE wins all six benchmark comparisons. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5 scores 705 versus the Xeon’s 613, a 13% difference. In single-core R15, the i5 scores 99 versus 86, a 13.1% gap. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i5’s multi-core score is 2940 against 2558 (13% lead), and single-core is 414 versus 361 (12.8% lead). In Cinebench R23, the i5 scores 7001 multi-core versus 6092 (13% lead) and 988 single-core versus 860 (13% lead). The pattern is remarkably consistent: the i5 is roughly 13% faster in every test, regardless of workload type. This uniformity suggests a fundamental architectural advantage rather than a workload-specific one. The Geekbench results for the Xeon are 4263 multi-core and 1438 single-core; the i5 has no Geekbench scores listed, but the Cinebench data alone is sufficient to establish the i5’s dominance.
Where Each One Wins
The Intel Core i5-1145GRE wins in every measured performance category. It is faster in multi-threaded workloads due to its 8 threads, as demonstrated by the 13% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core (7001 vs 6092). It wins single-threaded tasks too, with a 13% lead in R23 single-core (988 vs 860). It is also the efficiency winner, with a 28W TDP versus 71W. For mobile or embedded use, the i5 is the only choice because of its BGA 1449 socket and active production status. Its PCIe Gen 4 support and LPDDR4X memory compatibility make it the more modern platform.
The Intel Xeon E-2124G has no benchmark wins, but it wins on platform flexibility for socketed builds. Its 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes allow for more direct expansion cards compared to the i5’s 4 lanes. The Xeon’s higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz is a specification advantage, though it does not translate into a single-core benchmark victory. Its end-of-life status means it may be available at a lower launch MSRP of $218, but the i5’s $362 launch MSRP reflects its newer technology. For a stationary workstation where ECC memory is critical and expansion slots matter more than raw speed, the Xeon is defensible. The i5 wins on compute, power, and longevity.