CPU Comparison

The Intel Xeon E-2224 and Intel Core i5-5675C are both quad-core, quad-thread processors from Intel, but they target different eras and market segments. The Xeon E-2224, from the Coffee Lake generation, is a server/workstation part with a 71W TDP, while the i5-5675C is a Broadwell-generation desktop chip with a 65W TDP. Benchmark data shows they are remarkably close in average performance, with the Xeon E-2224 scoring 1762 and the i5-5675C scoring 1759, a negligible 0.2% difference. However, the specific benchmark results reveal a consistent performance gap that defines their relationship.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark suite paints a clear and consistent picture: the Intel Xeon E-2224 outperforms the Intel Core i5-5675C in every single test. This is not a narrow victory; it is a sweep across all six Cinebench benchmarks. The Xeon E-2224 wins all six head-to-head comparisons, while the i5-5675C records zero wins.

The most significant victories for the Xeon E-2224 come in the multi-core tests. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Xeon E-2224 scores 614 against the i5-5675C's 495, resulting in a 24% advantage. This pattern holds in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the Xeon scores 2559 versus 2063, again a 24% lead. The Cinebench R23 multicore test shows the same relative performance, with the Xeon E-2224 achieving 6093 points compared to the i5-5675C's 4912, a 24% delta. These numbers indicate that for heavily threaded workloads, the Xeon E-2224 is consistently about a quarter faster.

The single-core results follow a similar trajectory, though the margins are slightly larger. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Xeon E-2224 scores 86 against 69, a 24.6% advantage. Cinebench R20 single-core shows the Xeon at 361 versus 291, a 24.1% lead. The Cinebench R23 single-core test mirrors this, with the Xeon E-2224 scoring 860 and the i5-5675C scoring 693, a 24.1% delta. These single-core wins are particularly notable because they suggest the Xeon's architectural advantages are not limited to multi-threaded scaling but also extend to raw per-core throughput.

The average benchmark scores place both processors in the same percentile band. Both the Xeon E-2224 and the i5-5675C sit at the 41st percentile among all CPUs. The nearest rivals for the Xeon E-2224 include the AMD Ryzen 5 2400GE (avg score 1766, deltaPct -0.2) and the Intel Xeon E3-1241 v3 (avg score 1756, deltaPct 0.3). The i5-5675C's nearest rivals are nearly identical, including the Xeon E3-1241 v3 (avg score 1756, deltaPct 0.2) and the AMD Ryzen 5 2400GE (avg score 1766, deltaPct -0.4). This proximity in average scores underscores that while the head-to-head is decisive, both chips occupy a similar overall performance tier relative to the broader CPU market.

Where Each One Wins

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the Intel Xeon E-2224 is the clear winner across every workload category tested. The multi-core Cinebench results (R15, R20, and R23) all show a 24% advantage for the Xeon E-2224. This makes it the superior choice for any application that utilizes multiple cores, such as video rendering, 3D modeling, or compilation tasks. The consistent 24% margin across three different Cinebench versions suggests a stable and predictable performance lead that scales with workload intensity.

In single-core performance, the Xeon E-2224 also dominates, with deltas ranging from 24.1% to 24.6% across the R15, R20, and R23 tests. This means that even lightly threaded applications, such as legacy software, spreadsheet calculations, or certain scripting workloads, will run noticeably faster on the Xeon E-2224. The larger single-core delta compared to the multi-core delta (24.6% vs 24%) hints that the Xeon's per-core efficiency is its strongest asset.

The Intel Core i5-5675C does not have a single benchmark win in this comparison. There are no tests where it surpasses the Xeon E-2224. Its only potential advantages lie outside the measured benchmarks. The i5-5675C has a lower TDP of 65W compared to 71W for the Xeon E-2224, which could imply lower power draw under load, though this is not directly measured in the benchmark data. Additionally, the i5-5675C features Iris Pro Graphics 6200 integrated graphics, while the Xeon E-2224 has UHD Graphics P630. The benchmark data does not include any graphics tests, so the relative performance of these integrated GPUs cannot be assessed from this information.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon E-2224 is the faster processor in every measured test. For users who prioritize raw CPU performance in Cinebench workloads, the Xeon E-2224 is the definitive choice. It delivers a 24% improvement in multi-core scores and roughly 24.1-24.6% in single-core scores across all tested Cinebench versions. This consistent lead makes it the superior option for both multi-threaded productivity and single-threaded responsiveness.

The Intel Core i5-5675C, despite its lower TDP and unlocked multiplier (which is not reflected in the benchmark scores), cannot compete with the Xeon E-2224 in this benchmark suite. The i5-5675C's active production status and desktop market segment may appeal to a different user base, but the data shows no performance scenario where it wins. The i5-5675C's launch MSRP was $276, while the Xeon E-2224's launch MSRP was $193. The Xeon E-2224 offers higher performance at a lower launch MSRP, though the comparison of pricing is limited to these exact figures.

Users who are constrained to the Intel Socket 1150 platform (for the i5-5675C) or the Intel Socket 1151 platform (for the Xeon E-2224) will need to consider their existing motherboard investments. The Xeon E-2224 requires Socket 1151, supports DDR4 memory, and includes ECC memory support, making it suitable for workstation reliability. The i5-5675C requires Socket 1150, supports DDR3 memory, and lacks ECC support. For new builds, the data strongly favors the Xeon E-2224. For those with an existing Socket 1150 board, the i5-5675C remains an option, but the performance deficit is substantial and unavoidable.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher multi-core Cinebench R23 score?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2224 scores 6093 in Cinebench R23 multicore, while the Intel Core i5-5675C scores 4912. The Xeon E-2224 leads by 24%.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in single-core performance?

A: The Xeon E-2224 wins all single-core tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 860 versus 693 for the i5-5675C, a 24.1% advantage. The R15 and R20 single-core tests show similar leads of 24.6% and 24.1%, respectively.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon E-2224 and the Intel Core i5-5675C have 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2224 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i5-5675C does not support ECC memory.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2224 has an average benchmark score of 1762, and the Intel Core i5-5675C has an average benchmark score of 1759. The difference is 0.2%.

Q: Are both processors in the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon E-2224 and the Intel Core i5-5675C are at the 41st percentile among all CPUs.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Xeon E-2224 and Intel Core i5-5675C differ significantly in their underlying architecture, despite sharing the same core and thread count. The Xeon E-2224 is based on the Coffee Lake architecture (specifically Coffee Lake-S WS) and uses the 14 nm process node. It has a die size of 126 mm². The i5-5675C is based on the Broadwell architecture and also uses a 14 nm process node, but its die size is larger at 182 mm².

The cache configurations are a major differentiator. The Xeon E-2224 has an 8 MB shared L3 cache, while the i5-5675C has a 4 MB shared L3 cache. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The larger L3 cache on the Xeon E-2224 likely contributes to its performance advantage, particularly in workloads that benefit from larger working sets.

Memory support also differs. The Xeon E-2224 supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a maximum memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The i5-5675C supports DDR3 memory with a dual-channel bus and a maximum memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. The Xeon E-2224's DDR4 support nearly doubles the theoretical memory bandwidth, which can be a significant factor in memory-intensive applications.

Clock speeds favor the Xeon E-2224 as well. It has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The i5-5675C has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. The Xeon's higher clocks, combined with its larger cache and faster memory support, explain the consistent benchmark lead.

The processors also use different sockets. The Xeon E-2224 uses Intel Socket 1151, while the i5-5675C uses Intel Socket 1150. The Xeon E-2224 is part of the Xeon E-2200 series, targeting the server/workstation market. The i5-5675C is a desktop part. The Xeon E-2224 is marked as end-of-life, while the i5-5675C is still active. The Xeon E-2224 has a TDP of 71W, and the i5-5675C has a TDP of 65W. Both CPUs have PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Xeon E-2224 includes integrated UHD Graphics P630, while the i5-5675C includes Iris Pro Graphics 6200. The Xeon E-2224's multiplier is locked, while the i5-5675C's multiplier is unlocked, though this overclocking capability is not reflected in the benchmark scores.