CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-11600T
Xeon E-2286M
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core i5-11600T vs Intel Xeon E-2286M
The Intel Xeon E-2286M and Intel Core i5-11600T are two end-of-life Intel processors that target different corners of the market, yet their benchmark results are surprisingly close. The Xeon E-2286M, a Coffee Lake-H server/workstation part, wins the majority of head-to-head tests, while the i5-11600T, a Rocket Lake desktop chip, takes a single but significant victory. The data suggests that for most multi-threaded and sustained workloads, the Xeon’s extra two cores and higher boost clock give it a consistent edge, while the i5’s newer architecture delivers a clear win in single-threaded Geekbench performance. The choice between them hinges on whether you prioritize the Xeon’s workstation features (ECC memory, higher PCIe lane count) or the i5’s newer platform and stronger single-core result in a specific test.
The Verdict
From the benchmark data, the Intel Xeon E-2286M is the pick for users who need maximum multi-threaded throughput and workstation-grade reliability. It wins 7 of the 8 head-to-head comparisons, with margins ranging from 1.4% to 3.8%. Its 8 cores and 16 threads, paired with a 5.00 GHz boost clock, deliver higher scores in every Cinebench test (R15, R20, R23) for both single-core and multi-core workloads. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, which is a non-negotiable feature for error-sensitive server or workstation tasks. Its 56th percentile ranking against all CPUs matches the i5’s percentile, but its average benchmark score of 3822 is 80 points higher.
The Intel Core i5-11600T is the better choice if you are building a desktop system and value the single-core Geekbench result above all else. It wins that specific test with a score of 1791 against the Xeon’s 1537, a 14.2% lead. For a 35W TDP part, it posts surprisingly competitive multi-core scores, trailing the Xeon by only 3.7% in Cinebench R23 multi-core (12385 vs 12848). The i5 also benefits from being on the Intel Socket 1200 platform with PCIe Gen 4 support and 20 lanes, making it a more modern foundation for a new desktop build. Its launch MSRP is $213.
Where Each One Wins
The Xeon E-2286M wins in every Cinebench iteration, which are classic multi-threaded rendering workloads. Its multi-core advantage is consistent at 3.8% in Cinebench R15 (1295 vs 1248), 3.7% in R20 (5396 vs 5201), and 3.7% in R23 (12848 vs 12385). It also wins Geekbench multi-core by a narrower 1.4% margin (6746 vs 6653). This pattern indicates the Xeon’s two additional cores provide a steady, if modest, advantage in heavily threaded tasks. The Xeon’s single-core Cinebench wins are smaller (3.4% in R15, 3.7% in R20 and R23), suggesting its higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz helps it edge out the i5 in those specific tests.
The i5-11600T’s sole win is in Geekbench single-core, where it scores 1791 against the Xeon’s 1537. This 14.2% delta is the largest margin in the entire head-to-head set. This result suggests that for lightly threaded applications that rely on the newest instruction sets or per-core efficiency, the i5’s Rocket Lake architecture is meaningfully faster. The i5 also offers a better memory bandwidth figure of 51.2 GB/s versus the Xeon’s 42.7 GB/s, which could benefit memory-intensive tasks despite the lower multi-core scores.
Architecture Differences
The two processors come from different Intel generations and are built for different sockets. The Xeon E-2286M uses the Coffee Lake architecture (codename Coffee Lake-H) on a 14 nm process, with a die size of 180 mm². The i5-11600T uses the Rocket Lake architecture (codename Rocket Lake) also on a 14 nm process, but with a larger die size of 276 mm². The Xeon is based on the Xeon E-2200 series and targets the Server/Workstation market segment, while the i5 is a Core 11th Gen desktop part.
Core and cache configurations differ significantly. The Xeon has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the i5 has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Xeon’s cache is split as 64 KB L1 per core and 256 KB L2 per core, with 16 MB of shared L3. The i5 uses 80 KB L1 per core and 512 KB L2 per core, but only 12 MB of shared L3. The i5’s larger per-core L1 and L2 caches are a product of its newer architecture, while the Xeon compensates with 4 MB more shared L3.
Platform features are where the two diverge most clearly. The Xeon supports ECC memory, uses dual-channel DDR4 with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth, and provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes. The i5 does not support ECC memory, uses dual-channel DDR4 but with higher 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, and provides PCIe Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes. The i5’s integrated graphics is UHD Graphics 750, while the Xeon uses UHD Graphics P630. The Xeon’s base clock is 2.40 GHz with a 5.00 GHz boost, while the i5’s base clock is 1700.00 MHz (1.70 GHz) with a 4.10 GHz boost. The Xeon has a 45W TDP, the i5 a 35W TDP.
FAQ
Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?
A: The Intel Xeon E-2286M wins all three Cinebench multi-core tests. It scores 1295 in R15, 5396 in R20, and 12848 in R23, compared to the i5-11600T’s 1248, 5201, and 12385 respectively. The margin is consistently 3.7-3.8%.
Q: Does the Core i5-11600T win any benchmark?
A: Yes, the i5-11600T wins Geekbench single-core with a score of 1791, which is 14.2% higher than the Xeon E-2286M’s score of 1537. This is the only head-to-head test the i5 wins out of eight.
Q: Are these processors still in production?
A: No, both are marked as end-of-life. The Xeon E-2286M was released on 2019-05-28, and the i5-11600T was released on 2021-03-15.
Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?
A: Only the Intel Xeon E-2286M supports ECC memory. The Core i5-11600T does not have this feature, making the Xeon the only choice for systems that require error-correcting memory.
Q: How do the TDPs compare?
A: The Xeon E-2286M has a TDP of 45W, while the Core i5-11600T has a lower TDP of 35W. Despite the higher TDP, the Xeon’s multi-core scores are only about 3.7% higher, indicating the i5 is more power-efficient per score.
Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?
A: The Xeon E-2286M has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, which is higher than the i5-11600T’s 4.10 GHz. This higher clock helps the Xeon win all the Cinebench single-core tests, despite its older architecture.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The Xeon E-2286M dominates the head-to-head results, winning 7 of 8 tests. The largest win for the Xeon comes in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where it scores 1295 against the i5’s 1248, a 3.8% difference. This pattern repeats in R20 (5396 vs 5201, 3.7%) and R23 (12848 vs 12385, 3.7%). The Xeon also wins every single-core Cinebench test: R15 (182 vs 176, 3.4%), R20 (761 vs 734, 3.7%), and R23 (1813 vs 1748, 3.7%). In Geekbench multi-core, the Xeon’s lead narrows to 1.4% (6746 vs 6653).
The i5-11600T’s only win is Geekbench single-core, and it is a decisive one. The i5 scores 1791, while the Xeon manages only 1537. This 14.2% delta is the single largest performance gap in the entire comparison. It is worth noting that this result runs counter to the Cinebench single-core results, where the Xeon leads by 3.4-3.7%. The discrepancy suggests that Geekbench’s single-core test is more sensitive to the i5’s newer Rocket Lake architecture, while Cinebench’s single-core test favors the Xeon’s higher boost clock.
The overall average benchmark scores reflect the Xeon’s broader success: 3822 for the Xeon against 3742 for the i5, a difference of 80 points. In terms of nearest rivals, the Xeon E-2286M sits close to the AMD Ryzen 9 4900H (deltaPct 0) and Intel Core i7-8086K (deltaPct 0.6), while the i5-11600T is near the Intel Xeon Silver 4116 (deltaPct 0.2) and AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE (deltaPct 0.3). Both processors occupy the same 56th percentile against all CPUs, indicating they are evenly matched in the broader market context.
Specification Differences
The key differences between the two processors are in core count, clock speeds, cache layout, platform support, and memory features. The Xeon E-2286M has 8 cores and 16 threads, a 2.40 GHz base clock, and a 5.00 GHz boost clock. The i5-11600T has 6 cores and 12 threads, a 1700.00 MHz base clock, and a 4.10 GHz boost clock. The Xeon’s TDP is 45W, while the i5’s is 35W.
Cache configurations differ by core and total size. The Xeon has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, with 16 MB shared L3. The i5 has 80 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, but only 12 MB shared L3. The i5’s larger per-core caches are offset by the Xeon’s larger shared L3 pool.
Platform support separates these parts sharply. The Xeon uses Intel BGA 1440 and targets Server/Workstation, while the i5 uses Intel Socket 1200 and targets Desktop. The Xeon supports ECC memory and provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while the i5 does not support ECC and provides PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes. Memory bandwidth favors the i5 at 51.2 GB/s versus the Xeon’s 42.7 GB/s. Integrated graphics differ as well: UHD Graphics P630 on the Xeon versus UHD Graphics 750 on the i5. The i5 has a larger die (276 mm² vs 180 mm²) and its launch MSRP was $213, while the Xeon’s launch MSRP was $623. Both have locked multipliers and are end-of-life.