CPU Comparison

The Intel Xeon E-2124 and Intel Core i5-5675R are both 4-core, 4-thread processors from Intel, yet they target entirely different platforms and eras. The Xeon E-2124, built on Coffee Lake for workstations, consistently outperforms the older Broadwell-based Core i5-5675R by roughly 21% across all Cinebench tests. The Core i5-5675R, however, offers a more capable integrated GPU and is still listed as an active production part, while the Xeon has reached end-of-life. Benchmark data shows both CPUs land at the 40th percentile among all processors, with average scores of 1658 and 1648 respectively, placing them in a similar performance tier despite their architectural differences.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2124 boosts to 4.30 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-5675R boosts to 3.60 GHz. This 0.70 GHz difference is a major factor in the Xeon's consistent single-core advantage.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between these two CPUs?

A: The largest deltas are in Cinebench R15 multicore and R20 multicore, where the Xeon E-2124 leads by 21.2% in both tests. The single-core R15 test shows a nearly identical 20.9% advantage for the Xeon.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Xeon E-2124 supports ECC memory, which is typical for server/workstation parts. The Intel Core i5-5675R does not support ECC memory, reflecting its desktop-oriented design.

Q: Which CPU has the larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2124 features 8 MB of shared L3 cache, exactly double the 4 MB shared L3 cache found on the Intel Core i5-5675R. This could contribute to the Xeon's performance lead in cache-sensitive workloads.

Q: How do these processors compare in average benchmark scores?

A: The Xeon E-2124 has an average benchmark score of 1658, while the Core i5-5675R scores 1648. The Xeon's nearest rival, the Core i7-4770HQ, scores 1660 (a 0.1% delta), while the Core i5-5675R's closest competitor, the Core i7-4810MQ, scores 1651.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Xeon E-2124 supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus providing 42.7 GB/s of bandwidth. The Core i5-5675R uses DDR3 memory, also dual-channel, but with a significantly lower 29.9 GB/s of bandwidth.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from different Intel microarchitectures and manufacturing generations. The Intel Xeon E-2124 is based on Coffee Lake, specifically the Coffee Lake-S WS variant, and belongs to the Xeon E-2100 series. It was released in 2018. In contrast, the Intel Core i5-5675R uses the older Broadwell architecture and was released in 2015. Both are built on Intel's 14 nm process node, but the die sizes differ notably: the Xeon E-2124 has a die size of 126 mm², while the Core i5-5675R has a substantially larger 182 mm² die.

The cache hierarchy is a key architectural difference. Both CPUs have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, but the L3 cache differs: the Xeon E-2124 has 8 MB shared, while the Core i5-5675R has only 4 MB shared. This doubling of L3 cache on the Xeon likely improves performance in multi-threaded scenarios where data reuse is frequent.

Memory support also diverges significantly. The Xeon E-2124 supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and 42.7 GB/s of bandwidth, while the Core i5-5675R supports DDR3 with dual-channel and 29.9 GB/s. The newer DDR4 standard offers higher bandwidth, which can benefit memory-intensive tasks. Additionally, the Xeon E-2124 supports ECC memory, a feature absent on the Core i5-5675R, making the Xeon more suitable for error-sensitive workloads like server processing.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The Xeon E-2124 includes UHD Graphics P630, while the Core i5-5675R features Iris Pro Graphics 6200. The Iris Pro line was known for strong integrated graphics performance, which may give the Core i5-5675R an edge in light gaming or media tasks without a discrete GPU.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the head-to-head benchmark data, the Intel Xeon E-2124 wins every single test. Out of 6 Cinebench benchmarks, the Xeon takes all 6, with the Core i5-5675R winning none. This is a clean sweep. The Xeon's wins are consistent across both multicore and single-core tests, with deltas ranging from 20.9% to 21.2%. This suggests the Xeon has a broad advantage in both heavily threaded and lightly threaded workloads.

However, the Core i5-5675R is not without its own strengths. It features Iris Pro Graphics 6200, which is a more powerful integrated GPU compared to the Xeon's UHD Graphics P630. In scenarios where a discrete graphics card is not used, the Core i5-5675R may provide better visual performance for basic graphical tasks. Additionally, the Core i5-5675R has a lower TDP of 65 W compared to the Xeon's 71 W, making it slightly more power-efficient in theory.

The Core i5-5675R also has a unique advantage: it is listed as an active production status, while the Xeon E-2124 is end-of-life. For buyers looking for a current, available part, the Core i5-5675R remains on the market. The Xeon's end-of-life status may make it harder to source new, though it retains its workstation-oriented features like ECC support.

Specification Differences

The following table highlights the key specifications where the two processors differ:

| Specification | Intel Xeon E-2124 | Intel Core i5-5675R |

|---|---|---|

| Base Clock | 3.30 GHz | 3.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.30 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| TDP | 71 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | Intel BGA 1364 |

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Broadwell |

| Codename | Coffee Lake-S WS | Broadwell |

| Generation | Xeon E (Coffee Lake) | Core i5 (Broadwell) |

| Die Size | 126 mm² | 182 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 4 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 42.7 GB/s | 29.9 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics P630 | Iris Pro Graphics 6200 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2018-07-11 | 2015-05-14 |

| Launch MSRP | $198 | $265 |

Both CPUs share the same core/thread count (4/4), L1 and L2 cache sizes (64 KB and 256 KB per core), PCIe configuration (Gen 3, 16 lanes), and lack of an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results show a remarkably uniform performance gap. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Xeon E-2124 scores 577 against the Core i5-5675R's 476, a 21.2% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows a similar story: 81 vs 67, a 20.9% lead for the Xeon. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multicore scores are 2408 for the Xeon and 1987 for the Core i5-5675R, again a 21.2% delta. The R20 single-core test yields 339 vs 280, a 21.1% difference.

The pattern continues in Cinebench R23, the most modern test in the dataset. The Xeon E-2124 scores 5734 multicore and 809 single-core, while the Core i5-5675R scores 4733 and 668 respectively. Both deltas are 21.1%. This consistency across three generations of Cinebench suggests a fundamental performance advantage for the Xeon, likely driven by its higher boost clock (4.30 vs 3.60 GHz) and larger L3 cache.

Interestingly, the average benchmark scores for these CPUs are very close: 1658 for the Xeon and 1648 for the Core i5-5675R. This is because the Core i5-5675R has additional Geekbench scores (3738 multicore, 1234 single-core) in its benchmark list, which the Xeon E-2124 lacks. When averaged across all tests, the Core i5-5675R's extra data points pull its average up, even though it loses every head-to-head Cinebench test.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon E-2124 outperforms the Intel Core i5-5675R in every Cinebench benchmark, with a consistent 21% lead across all six tests. This makes the Xeon the clear choice for any workload that depends on CPU compute performance, whether single-threaded or multi-threaded. The Xeon's higher boost clock, larger L3 cache, and newer DDR4 memory support all contribute to this dominance.

For buyers prioritizing raw processing power, the Xeon E-2124 is the superior option. Its ECC memory support and workstation market segment further reinforce its suitability for stable, error-free computing environments. However, the Xeon's end-of-life production status could be a practical concern for procurement.

The Core i5-5675R, while slower in CPU benchmarks, offers its own set of advantages. It features Iris Pro Graphics 6200, which is a more capable integrated GPU than the Xeon's UHD Graphics P630. This makes the Core i5-5675R a better fit for systems without a discrete graphics card. Its lower TDP of 65 W and active production status are additional benefits. The Core i5-5675R is also a desktop part, while the Xeon targets servers and workstations, so the intended use case differs fundamentally.

In summary, the Xeon E-2124 wins decisively on CPU performance and is the right pick for workstation or server builds where ECC and maximum throughput matter. The Core i5-5675R is better suited for desktop users who need a compact BGA solution with stronger integrated graphics and are willing to accept lower CPU performance. The choice ultimately hinges on whether the workload is CPU-bound (choose Xeon) or GPU/desktop-oriented (choose Core i5-5675R).