CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-7600T
Xeon E-2124
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core i5-7600T vs Intel Xeon E-2124
The Intel Core i5-7600T and Intel Xeon E-2124 are both 4-core, 4-thread Intel processors on the LGA 1151 socket, yet they serve different market segments. The benchmark data shows a clear and consistent performance hierarchy between the two, with the Xeon holding a decisive advantage across every tested workload. This analysis breaks down the head-to-head results, architectural differences, and practical implications of choosing one over the other.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The Xeon E-2124 wins all six benchmark comparisons, and the margin is strikingly uniform. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 577 against the i5-7600T’s 500, a 13.3% advantage. The single-core test in R15 tells a similar story: 81 for the Xeon versus 70 for the i5, a 13.6% gap. Moving to Cinebench R20, the Xeon again leads in multi-core with 2408 versus 2086, and in single-core with 339 versus 294, both results showing roughly a 13.4% and 13.3% delta, respectively.
The pattern persists in the more modern Cinebench R23 suite. The Xeon E-2124 posts 5734 in multi-core, while the i5-7600T manages 4968, a 13.4% difference. In R23 single-core, the Xeon’s 809 eclipses the i5’s 701 by 13.3%. Across all six benchmarks, the Xeon’s lead hovers tightly between 13.3% and 13.6%. This consistency suggests the performance gap is not workload-dependent but rather a fundamental difference in how the two chips execute instructions.
Interestingly, the average benchmark scores for the two CPUs are nearly identical when viewed against other processors. The i5-7600T has an average score of 1664, while the Xeon E-2124 sits at 1658. Both occupy the 40th percentile of all CPUs. The i5’s nearest rival, the Intel Core i7-6700TE, scores 1666 (a -0.1% delta), and the Xeon’s closest competitor, the Intel Core i7-4770HQ, scores 1660 (a -0.1% delta). This means that while the Xeon is clearly faster in direct head-to-head tests, both chips rank similarly in the broader CPU landscape, as the i5's benchmarks are included in its average, while the Xeon's are not directly comparable in that metric.
Architecture Differences
The two processors come from different Intel generations and are built for different purposes. The i5-7600T is a Kaby Lake desktop part, released in early 2017, while the Xeon E-2124 is a Coffee Lake-S WS workstation/server chip that launched in mid-2018. Both use a 14 nm process node from Intel, but the Xeon’s die size is listed at 126 mm², a detail not provided for the i5.
Clock speeds differ substantially. The i5-7600T has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The Xeon E-2124 starts at 3.30 GHz and boosts to 4.30 GHz. That 600 MHz advantage in base clock and 600 MHz in boost clock largely explains the consistent 13%+ performance lead in every benchmark. The Xeon also carries a 71 W TDP, while the i5-7600T is rated at just 35 W, indicating the i5 is designed for low-power systems.
Cache allocation is another differentiator. Both chips have 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, but the shared L3 cache differs: the i5 has 6 MB, while the Xeon has 8 MB. The larger L3 cache on the Xeon likely contributes to its superior performance in cache-sensitive workloads.
Integrated graphics also separate the two. The i5-7600T features HD 630 graphics, while the Xeon E-2124 includes UHD Graphics P630. Both support DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration, but the memory bandwidth figures differ: 38.4 GB/s for the i5 and 42.7 GB/s for the Xeon. ECC memory support is a significant distinction, the i5 does not support it, while the Xeon does. This is a critical feature for workstation or server environments where data integrity is paramount.
Where Each One Wins
The data leaves little room for ambiguity: the Xeon E-2124 wins every single benchmark in the comparison. This makes it the clear choice for any application that prioritizes raw processing power, whether multi-threaded or single-threaded. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Xeon’s 5734 versus the i5’s 4968 means tasks like video rendering, 3D modeling, or software compilation would complete roughly 13% faster on the Xeon.
The i5-7600T, however, is not without its merits, though the benchmark data does not directly show where it excels. Its 35 W TDP suggests it is suited for compact, low-power builds where thermal output and energy consumption are more critical than peak performance. The i5 also has integrated HD 630 graphics, which could be useful in a system without a discrete GPU, though the Xeon’s UHD Graphics P630 serves a similar role. The i5’s lower power draw and active production status (versus the Xeon’s end-of-life status) might appeal to those building a light-duty desktop, but the performance data consistently favors the Xeon.
FAQ
Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?
A: The Xeon E-2124 is faster in every multi-core test. It scores 577 in Cinebench R15, 2408 in R20, and 5734 in R23, compared to the i5-7600T’s 500, 2086, and 4968, respectively. The Xeon leads by about 13.4% in each case.
Q: How do the single-core scores compare?
A: The Xeon also wins all single-core tests. In Cinebench R15, it scores 81 versus 70; in R20, 339 versus 294; and in R23, 809 versus 701. The advantage is consistently around 13.3%.
Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?
A: No. The Xeon E-2124 supports ECC memory, while the i5-7600T does not.
Q: What are the TDP ratings for each chip?
A: The i5-7600T has a TDP of 35 W, while the Xeon E-2124 has a TDP of 71 W.
Q: Are these CPUs on the same socket?
A: Yes, both use the Intel Socket 1151, though they are based on different architectures (Kaby Lake for the i5, Coffee Lake for the Xeon).
Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?
A: The Xeon E-2124 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-7600T has 6 MB.
Specification Differences
| Specification | Intel Core i5-7600T | Intel Xeon E-2124 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Kaby Lake | Coffee Lake |
| Codename | Kaby Lake | Coffee Lake-S WS |
| Generation | Core i5 (Kaby Lake) | Xeon E (Coffee Lake) |
| Base Clock | 2.80 GHz | 3.30 GHz |
| Boost Clock | 3.70 GHz | 4.30 GHz |
| TDP | 35 W | 71 W |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |
| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | 42.7 GB/s |
| ECC Memory | No | Yes |
| Integrated Graphics | HD 630 | UHD Graphics P630 |
| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |
| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |
| Release Date | 2017-01-02 | 2018-07-11 |
| Launch MSRP | Not provided | $198 |
| Die Size | Not provided | 126 mm² |
| Part Number | SR336 | SR3WQ |
The Verdict
The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon E-2124 outperforms the Intel Core i5-7600T in every measured category. If the primary goal is maximum computational throughput, the Xeon is the superior choice. Its higher base and boost clocks, larger L3 cache, and greater memory bandwidth translate to a reliable 13.3% to 13.6% lead across all Cinebench tests. The Xeon also offers ECC memory support, a critical feature for workstation reliability.
The i5-7600T, by contrast, is a lower-power part at 35 W versus 71 W, which could be a deciding factor in thermally constrained systems. Its active production status may also be relevant for long-term availability. However, the performance data shows no workload where the i5 wins. For anyone choosing strictly on benchmark results, the Xeon E-2124 is the clear winner. The i5-7600T remains an option only when power efficiency and lower heat output are prioritized over raw performance, and even then, the data shows the Xeon’s performance advantage is consistent and substantial.