Intel Core i5-8600K vs Intel Xeon E-2186M Comparison

The Intel Xeon E-2186M and Intel Core i5-8600K are both six-core Coffee Lake parts from Intel, but they are engineered for very different environments. The database shows a clear split: the Xeon dominates in Cinebench workloads, while the Core i5 pulls ahead in Geekbench. This is a tale of two benchmarks, with the results hinging on power limits and feature sets.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Xeon E-2186M takes a decisive lead across every Cinebench iteration in the database. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 961 against the i5-8600K's 867, a 10.8% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows the same margin, with the Xeon scoring 135 versus 122, a 10.7% win. This pattern holds in R20, where the Xeon posts 4007 multicore and 565 single-core, against 3616 and 510 for the i5, again a 10.8% edge in both tests. The R23 results continue the trend: the Xeon scores 9542 multicore and 1347 single-core, while the i5 manages 8611 and 1215, a 10.8% and 10.9% lead respectively. Across six Cinebench tests, the Xeon wins all of them by a remarkably consistent margin of roughly 10.8%.

The story flips in Geekbench. The i5-8600K scores 5997 multicore against the Xeon's 5306, giving the i5 an 11.5% lead. In single-core Geekbench, the i5 posts 1514 versus 1434, a 5.3% advantage. This is a significant reversal. The Xeon's higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz versus 4.30 GHz does not translate into a Geekbench win, which suggests the benchmark is sensitive to different aspects of the platform, perhaps memory latency or platform configuration. The data shows a net result of six benchmark wins for the Xeon and two for the i5.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 14 nm process and share the Coffee Lake architecture. The Xeon E-2186M uses the Coffee Lake-H codename, while the i5-8600K is simply Coffee Lake. The core counts are identical at six, but the Xeon enables Hyper-Threading, giving it 12 threads against the i5's 6. This likely explains the consistent Cinebench multicore advantage. The Xeon also has a larger L3 cache, 12 MB shared versus 9 MB shared. L1 and L2 caches are the same at 64 KB and 256 KB per core. The Xeon's die size is measured at 154 mm², while no die size is recorded for the i5.

The most critical difference in real-world usage is thermal design power. The Xeon is rated at 45 W, while the i5-8600K is rated at 95 W. Despite the Xeon having a higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz, it does so within a far lower power envelope. The i5 has a higher base clock of 3.60 GHz versus 2.90 GHz, but its boost clock is lower at 4.30 GHz. The Xeon is a mobile and workstation part on the Intel BGA 1440 socket, while the i5 is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1151. The Xeon supports ECC memory, while the i5 does not. Both support dual-channel DDR4 with a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s and have PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The integrated graphics differ as well: the Xeon uses UHD Graphics P630, while the i5 uses UHD Graphics 630. The Xeon was released on 2018-04-03, while the i5 came earlier on 2017-10-04, and both are now end-of-life. The Xeon's multiplier is locked, while the i5-8600K's multiplier is unlocked.

FAQ

Q: Why does the Xeon E-2186M win all Cinebench tests but lose Geekbench?

A: The Xeon wins all six Cinebench tests by about 10.8% in both single and multi-core. However, the i5-8600K wins Geekbench multicore by 11.5% and single-core by 5.3%. The different benchmark characteristics produce opposite outcomes, with the Xeon showing strength in Cinebench and the i5 showing strength in Geekbench.

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Xeon E-2186M has 12 threads thanks to Hyper-Threading, while the Core i5-8600K has 6 threads. Both have 6 cores.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The Xeon E-2186M is rated at 45 W TDP, while the Core i5-8600K is rated at 95 W TDP. The Xeon achieves its higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz within a 45 W envelope.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon E-2186M supports ECC memory. The Core i5-8600K does not support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Xeon E-2186M has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Core i5-8600K has 9 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Are these processors overclockable?

A: The Core i5-8600K has an unlocked multiplier, making it overclockable. The Xeon E-2186M has a locked multiplier and cannot be overclocked.

The Verdict

The choice between these two CPUs depends entirely on the workload and platform constraints. The Xeon E-2186M is the superior performer in Cinebench, winning all six tests with a consistent 10.8% margin. It offers 12 threads, 12 MB of L3 cache, ECC memory support, and a 45 W TDP. The i5-8600K fights back in Geekbench with an 11.5% multicore and 5.3% single-core victory, and it offers an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, but it lacks Hyper-Threading and ECC support, and it consumes more than double the power at 95 W.

For a workstation or server application where ECC memory is required and sustained multi-threaded rendering performance is key, the Xeon E-2186M is the clear choice. Its 10.8% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore, with a score of 9542 against 8611, makes it the stronger option for those workloads. For a desktop user who prioritizes Geekbench performance and the flexibility of overclocking, the i5-8600K is the better fit. The data shows the Xeon is the better all-around processor for threaded applications, while the i5 wins in Geekbench and offers overclocking headroom. The Xeon's lower TDP also makes it viable in compact systems, given its BGA 1440 socket.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The Xeon E-2186M has 12 threads, a base clock of 2.90 GHz, a boost clock of 4.80 GHz, a TDP of 45 W, and uses the Intel BGA 1440 socket. The Core i5-8600K has 6 threads, a base clock of 3.60 GHz, a boost clock of 4.30 GHz, a TDP of 95 W, and uses the Intel Socket 1151. The Xeon has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5 has 9 MB. The Xeon supports ECC memory and has UHD Graphics P630, while the i5 does not support ECC and has UHD Graphics 630. The Xeon's multiplier is locked, while the i5's is unlocked. The Xeon's die size is 154 mm², while no die size is recorded for the i5. The launch MSRP for the Xeon is $623, and the launch MSRP for the i5-8600K is $257. The Xeon was released on 2018-04-03, and the i5 was released on 2017-10-04.

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon E-2186M wins in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both single and multi-core, by approximately 10.8%. This makes it the pick for rendering workloads, video encoding, and any application that scales with threads and cache. Its 12 threads and 12 MB L3 cache give it a measurable edge in these tests. It also wins for any scenario requiring ECC memory, as the i5-8600K lacks this feature entirely. The Xeon's 45 W TDP is a major advantage for compact workstations or embedded systems where thermal headroom is limited.

The Core i5-8600K wins in Geekbench multicore by 11.5% and single-core by 5.3%. This suggests it has an advantage in the types of workloads Geekbench measures, which include encryption, image processing, and some memory tests. The i5 also wins for enthusiasts who want to overclock, thanks to its unlocked multiplier. The i5's higher base clock of 3.60 GHz could also be beneficial in lightly threaded tasks that do not boost as aggressively. For a desktop gamer or general user who values Geekbench performance, the i5-8600K is the stronger option. The data shows a clear split: the Xeon for threaded rendering and workstation tasks, the i5 for Geekbench-oriented workloads and overclocking.