CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-1240P
Xeon E-2136
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core i5-1240P vs Intel Xeon E-2136
FAQ
Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?
A: The Intel Core i5-1240P edges out the Intel Xeon E-2136 with an average benchmark score of 3202 versus 3193, a difference of 0.3%. Both processors sit at the 53rd percentile among all CPUs, making them statistically near-identical in overall performance.
Q: How do the two processors compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?
A: The Intel Xeon E-2136 wins this test decisively, scoring 11040 against the Core i5-1240P's 9392, a 14.9% advantage. This is the only benchmark in the head-to-head set where the Xeon comes out ahead.
Q: What is the biggest single-core performance gap between the two?
A: In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Core i5-1240P scores 226 versus 156 for the Xeon E-2136, a 44.9% lead. This is the largest margin of victory for either processor across all tested workloads.
Q: Does the Xeon E-2136 support ECC memory?
A: Yes, the Intel Xeon E-2136 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i5-1240P does not. This is a key differentiator for workstation and server reliability use cases.
Q: What are the production statuses of these two chips?
A: The Intel Core i5-1240P is listed as Active, while the Intel Xeon E-2136 is End-of-life. The i5-1240P launched on 2022-02-22, whereas the Xeon E-2136 launched on 2018-07-11.
Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?
A: The Intel Core i5-1240P has 12 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Xeon E-2136 has 6 cores and 12 threads. Despite having half the core count, the Xeon still wins one multi-core benchmark.
Architecture Differences
The Intel Core i5-1240P and Intel Xeon E-2136 represent two fundamentally different design philosophies from Intel. The i5-1240P is built on Alder Lake architecture using a 10 nm process node, while the Xeon E-2136 is a Coffee Lake part fabricated on a 14 nm node. This process gap directly influences their power envelopes: the i5-1240P carries a 28 W TDP, whereas the Xeon E-2136 draws 80 W.
The core configuration diverges sharply. The i5-1240P features 12 cores and 16 threads, arranged in Alder Lake's hybrid style, while the Xeon E-2136 offers 6 cores and 12 threads in a traditional homogeneous layout. Cache hierarchies also differ: the i5-1240P allocates 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core, with a 12 MB shared L3; the Xeon provides 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, also with 12 MB shared L3. The larger per-core L2 on the i5-1240P reflects its newer design.
Memory support separates these platforms further. The i5-1240P supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, whereas the Xeon E-2136 is limited to DDR4. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the Xeon explicitly lists 42.7 GB/s memory bandwidth. The i5-1240P does not list a bandwidth figure in the data. ECC memory is supported only on the Xeon, reinforcing its server/workstation positioning.
Connectivity and packaging differ as well. The i5-1240P uses Intel BGA 1744 (soldered) and PCIe Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes; the Xeon E-2136 uses Intel Socket 1151 and PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics also differ: Iris Xe 80EU on the mobile part versus UHD Graphics P630 on the workstation part. The die sizes reflect their nodes: 217 mm² for the i5-1240P versus 154 mm² for the Xeon. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier.
The Verdict
The benchmark data points to a split decision with a clear pattern: the Intel Core i5-1240P wins five of six head-to-head tests, but the Intel Xeon E-2136 claims the most demanding multi-core workload. For general productivity, content creation, and single-threaded responsiveness, the i5-1240P is the stronger choice. Its Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 1566.5 is 40.9% higher than the Xeon's 1112, and its R20 multi-core score of 5632 beats 4636 by 21.5%.
However, the Xeon E-2136's R23 multi-core result of 11040 versus 9392 shows it handles sustained all-core rendering workloads better. Combined with ECC memory support and a server/workstation market segment, the Xeon is the pick for reliability-focused builds. The i5-1240P's mobile socket and 28 W TDP make it a laptop-class part, while the Xeon's Socket 1151 and 80 W TDP target desktop workstations.
The production statuses matter. The i5-1240P is Active and newer, while the Xeon E-2136 is End-of-life. For new system designs, the i5-1240P offers a future-proof path with DDR5 support and PCIe Gen 4. For legacy workstation upgrades where ECC is mandatory, the Xeon remains relevant despite its age. The 53rd percentile ranking for both chips confirms they are mid-pack performers overall, not top-tier parts.
Specification Differences
The two processors diverge on nearly every core specification. The Intel Core i5-1240P has 12 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Xeon E-2136 has 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks differ significantly: 1700 MHz for the i5-1240P versus 3300 MHz for the Xeon. Boost clocks are closer, with 4.40 GHz on the i5 and 4.50 GHz on the Xeon.
TDP ratings show the biggest power gap: 28 W for the i5-1240P versus 80 W for the Xeon E-2136. Sockets are incompatible: Intel BGA 1744 for the i5, Intel Socket 1151 for the Xeon. Process nodes differ by generation: 10 nm for Alder Lake versus 14 nm for Coffee Lake. Die sizes are 217 mm² and 154 mm² respectively.
Cache configurations differ in per-core allocation. The i5-1240P provides 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core; the Xeon provides 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core. Both share 12 MB L3. Memory support: the i5 handles DDR4 and DDR5, the Xeon only DDR4. The Xeon lists 42.7 GB/s memory bandwidth; the i5 does not list a figure. ECC memory is available only on the Xeon.
PCIe capabilities favor the i5-1240P: Gen 4 with 20 lanes versus Gen 3 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics differ: Iris Xe 80EU on the i5, UHD Graphics P630 on the Xeon. Market segments are mobile versus server/workstation. The Xeon carries a launch MSRP of $289; the i5-1240P has no listed MSRP. Release dates are 2022-02-22 for the i5 and 2018-07-11 for the Xeon.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The Cinebench R15 multi-core test delivers the i5-1240P's most emphatic victory. The i5 scores 1566.5 against the Xeon's 1112, a 40.9% margin. This test rewards the i5's 12-core configuration heavily. In R15 single-core, the gap widens further in percentage terms: 226 versus 156, a 44.9% lead for the i5. This suggests the Alder Lake architecture's single-thread performance vastly outstrips the older Coffee Lake design.
Cinebench R20 shows a narrower but still decisive i5 advantage. In multi-core, the i5 scores 5632 versus 4636, a 21.5% win. In single-core, the i5 leads 795 to 654, a 21.6% margin. These results indicate that while the i5's core count helps, its per-core efficiency is also superior in these tests.
The Cinebench R23 multi-core test flips the script. The Xeon E-2136 posts 11040 against the i5-1240P's 9392, a 14.9% win for the Xeon. This is surprising given the Xeon's lower core count, but the data is unambiguous. The R23 single-core test returns to the i5's favor: 1600 versus 1558, a modest 2.7% lead. Across all six benchmarks, the i5-1240P wins five, with the Xeon taking one, but that one win is in the heaviest sustained multi-core workload.
Where Each One Wins
The Intel Core i5-1240P dominates in short-to-medium multi-core bursts and all single-core tests. Its R15 multi-core lead of 40.9% and R20 multi-core lead of 21.5% make it the clear choice for applications that use many cores but finish quickly, such as code compilation, photo editing, or everyday productivity suites. The single-core wins across R15 (44.9%), R20 (21.6%), and R23 (2.7%) indicate superior responsiveness in web browsing, office tasks, and lightly threaded applications.
The Intel Xeon E-2136 wins the R23 multi-core test by 14.9%, suggesting it handles prolonged all-core rendering workloads better. This aligns with its server/workstation segment and higher 80 W TDP, which allows sustained power delivery. The Xeon's ECC memory support makes it the only option for error-correcting memory configurations, critical for data integrity in financial, scientific, or database workloads.
The i5-1240P's mobile socket and 28 W TDP make it suitable for laptops and compact systems where power efficiency matters. Its DDR5 support and PCIe Gen 4 provide modern connectivity for newer peripherals and storage. The Xeon E-2136's Socket 1151 platform supports traditional desktop workstation builds with ECC memory, though its End-of-life status limits future expansion. The i5-1240P wins on versatility and freshness; the Xeon wins on sustained rendering stamina and memory reliability.