CPU Comparison

The Intel Xeon E-2124 is the clear performance victor in every benchmark recorded, while the Intel Core i5-4690K holds advantages in platform flexibility and legacy support. The Xeon E-2124 leads by roughly 15-16% across all Cinebench tests, a consistent margin that reflects its architectural and clock-speed advantages. The i5-4690K, however, offers an unlocked multiplier for overclocking and an older, more established socket ecosystem, making it a viable choice for users prioritizing customization over raw out-of-the-box performance.

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon E-2124 wins outright in every single benchmark category where both processors were tested. This includes all six Cinebench tests, spanning both multi-core and single-core workloads across R15, R20, and R23 versions. The data shows a complete sweep: 6 wins for the Xeon, 0 for the i5-4690K. The margin of victory is remarkably consistent, ranging from -15.6% to -16.0% from the i5's perspective, meaning the Xeon is roughly 15-16% faster across the board.

The i5-4690K's wins are not in raw performance but in platform characteristics. It features an unlocked multiplier, allowing for overclocking that could potentially close the performance gap in real-world use. Its socket, Intel Socket 1150, represents the Haswell generation, which may appeal to users with existing compatible motherboards. The i5 also supports DDR3 memory, which could be an advantage for those upgrading within an older ecosystem rather than building fresh.

The Xeon E-2124, by contrast, wins on efficiency and modern features. Its 71W TDP is lower than the i5's 88W, and it supports ECC memory, a critical feature for workstation and server reliability. The Xeon's memory bandwidth is also notably higher at 42.7 GB/s versus the i5's 25.6 GB/s.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2124 is faster in every multi-core test. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 5734 versus the i5-4690K's 4828, a -15.8% difference. The same margin applies to R15 (577 vs 486) and R20 (2408 vs 2027).

Q: Does the i5-4690K have any performance advantage?

A: No benchmark results show the i5-4690K ahead. The Xeon E-2124 wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests. The i5's only potential performance edge comes from its unlocked multiplier, which enables overclocking, though no overclocked benchmark data is provided.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the Intel Xeon E-2124 supports ECC memory. This is a key differentiator for server or workstation builds where data integrity is paramount. The i5-4690K does not support ECC.

Q: How do their memory systems differ?

A: The Xeon E-2124 uses DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and 42.7 GB/s bandwidth. The i5-4690K uses DDR3 memory, also dual-channel, but with a lower 25.6 GB/s bandwidth. This represents a significant generational memory bandwidth advantage for the Xeon.

Q: Are there differences in integrated graphics?

A: Yes. The i5-4690K includes Intel HD 4600 graphics, while the Xeon E-2124 includes UHD Graphics P630. Both are integrated solutions, but they belong to different graphics generations.

Q: What is the launch MSRP for each?

A: The Intel Core i5-4690K had a launch MSRP of $243. The Intel Xeon E-2124 had a launch MSRP of $198.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a uniform picture: the Xeon E-2124 dominates every recorded test. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 577 against the i5's 486, a -15.8% delta. The single-core R15 test shows a similar pattern at 81 versus 68, a -16% delta. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core results are 2408 for the Xeon and 2027 for the i5, again -15.8%. Single-core R20 shows 339 versus 286, a -15.6% delta, the smallest gap of all tests but still a clear Xeon victory.

The newest benchmark, Cinebench R23, reinforces the trend. Multi-core scores are 5734 for the Xeon and 4828 for the i5, a -15.8% difference. Single-core R23 results are 809 versus 681, also -15.8%. This consistency across three different Cinebench versions is notable. It suggests that the Xeon's architectural advantages, its newer 14 nm Coffee Lake process versus the i5's 22 nm Haswell, translate into a stable, generational performance uplift that does not vary with workload intensity or benchmark iteration.

The deltaPct values are nearly identical across all tests, ranging from -15.6% to -16.0%. This uniformity indicates that the Xeon's advantage is not workload-specific but rather a fundamental per-clock and architectural lead. The i5's higher base clock of 3.50 GHz versus the Xeon's 3.30 GHz is insufficient to overcome the Xeon's higher boost clock of 4.30 GHz versus 3.90 GHz, combined with the newer architecture's improved instructions per clock.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The i5-4690K has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz, while the Xeon E-2124 has a lower base clock of 3.30 GHz but a significantly higher boost clock of 4.30 GHz. TDP differs substantially: the i5 is rated at 88W, while the Xeon is more efficient at 71W.

Socket compatibility is completely different. The i5 uses Intel Socket 1150, while the Xeon uses Intel Socket 1151. These are not interchangeable. Memory support diverges: the i5 uses DDR3, while the Xeon uses DDR4. Memory bandwidth reflects this, with the i5 at 25.6 GB/s and the Xeon at 42.7 GB/s.

ECC memory support is exclusive to the Xeon. The i5 does not support ECC. Integrated graphics differ: the i5 has Intel HD 4600, while the Xeon has UHD Graphics P630. The multiplier situation also differs: the i5 has an unlocked multiplier, while the Xeon's is locked. Release dates are four years apart, with the i5 released in June 2014 and the Xeon in July 2018. The part numbers are SR21A for the i5 and SR3WQ for the Xeon.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide is generational. The i5-4690K is built on Intel's Haswell architecture using a 22 nm process node, with a die size of 177 mm² and 1,400 million transistors. The Xeon E-2124 uses the Coffee Lake architecture on a 14 nm process, with a smaller die size of 126 mm². The Xeon's transistor count is not provided in the data.

Cache configurations are similar in structure but differ in size. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache, however, is larger on the Xeon at 8 MB shared, versus 6 MB shared on the i5. This 2 MB difference contributes to the Xeon's performance advantage in cache-sensitive workloads.

Both processors feature 4 cores and 4 threads, so the performance gap is not due to core count. The PCIe support is identical: Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The market segments differ, with the i5 classified as Desktop and the Xeon as Server/Workstation, reflecting their intended use cases. The Xeon's 14 nm process is two generations newer than the i5's 22 nm, which typically allows for higher clock speeds at lower power, as the TDP data confirms.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon E-2124 is the superior performer in every tested workload. Users seeking maximum out-of-the-box performance in Cinebench applications should choose the Xeon E-2124. Its 15.8% advantage in multi-core R23 and similar margins in all other tests establish it as the faster processor, period.

The i5-4690K's case rests entirely on its unlocked multiplier. For users comfortable with overclocking, the i5 could potentially narrow or even reverse the performance gap, though no such data is provided. Additionally, the i5's DDR3 support and Socket 1150 compatibility may suit users upgrading an existing Haswell system rather than building new. The i5's launch MSRP of $243 was higher than the Xeon's $198, another point in the Xeon's favor.

For workstation or server builders, the Xeon E-2124 is the only choice of these two, given its ECC memory support and lower TDP. The 71W TDP versus 88W has implications for cooling and power delivery in dense environments. The Xeon's 42.7 GB/s memory bandwidth is a substantial advantage for memory-bound tasks. In a direct comparison, the Xeon E-2124 wins on performance, efficiency, modern platform features, and lower launch MSRP. The i5-4690K only wins on overclocking potential and legacy compatibility.