CPU Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results between the Intel Xeon E-2244G and the Intel Core i5-9500T are unusually split, with each processor claiming victory in a distinct set of tests. The most striking outcome is the Geekbench results, where the Xeon E-2244G dominates decisively. In Geekbench single-core, the Xeon scores 1408 against the i5-9500T's 1198, a 17.5% advantage. That is a substantial gap for two Coffee Lake parts running on the same socket. The Geekbench multi-core test also goes to the Xeon, with 4712 versus 4407, a 6.9% lead.

The picture flips entirely in Cinebench. Across all six Cinebench tests, the i5-9500T wins by a narrow but consistent margin. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-9500T scores 832 against the Xeon's 818, a 1.7% edge. The single-core R15 result is similar: 117 versus 115, again 1.7% for the i5. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i5-9500T posts 3470 multi-core and 489 single-core, while the Xeon manages 3412 and 481, respectively. The deltas are 1.7% and 1.6%. Cinebench R23 repeats the pattern: the i5-9500T leads with 8264 multi-core and 1166 single-core, versus the Xeon's 8126 and 1147. Every Cinebench delta is between 1.6% and 1.7%, which suggests a consistent, if modest, advantage for the i5-9500T in that workload.

The overall win count favors the i5-9500T at 6 wins against 2 for the Xeon E-2244G. However, the magnitude of the Xeon's Geekbench wins dwarfs the Cinebench margins. A 17.5% single-core lead is far more significant than a repeated 1.7% deficit. The average benchmark scores reflect this tension: the Xeon E-2244G averages 2527 across all tests, while the i5-9500T averages 2493. Both processors sit at the 49th percentile among all CPUs, placing them in the same performance tier overall, but with very different strengths.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 14 nm process and share the Coffee Lake architecture, with the Xeon using the Coffee Lake-S WS variant and the i5-9500T using the Coffee Lake Refresh. Both use the Intel Socket 1151 and feature dual-channel DDR4 memory with 42.7 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The PCIe configuration is identical: Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

The core counts differ significantly. The Xeon E-2244G has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i5-9500T has 6 cores and 6 threads. This means the Xeon relies on Hyper-Threading to reach 8 threads, whereas the i5-9500T runs 6 physical cores without any thread doubling. The clock speeds reflect this trade-off. The Xeon has a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz, while the i5-9500T operates at a much lower 2.20 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost. The Xeon's higher clocks explain its Geekbench single-core dominance, while the i5's two extra physical cores help it in Cinebench's multi-threaded rendering tests.

Cache configuration also differs. Both have 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, but the shared L3 cache is 8 MB on the Xeon versus 9 MB on the i5-9500T. That extra 1 MB of L3 likely contributes to the i5's Cinebench performance. The integrated graphics differ as well: the Xeon uses HD Graphics P630, while the i5-9500T uses UHD Graphics 630. The Xeon supports ECC memory, a feature absent on the i5-9500T. The TDP values are dramatically different: the Xeon draws 71 watts, while the i5-9500T is rated at just 35 watts. The i5-9500T is also a different market segment product (Desktop versus Server/Workstation) and has a different part number (SRF4D versus SRFAY).

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher clock speed?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2244G has a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The Intel Core i5-9500T has a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz.

Q: Does the i5-9500T support ECC memory?

A: No. ECC memory support is exclusive to the Xeon E-2244G in this comparison. The i5-9500T does not support ECC.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The i5-9500T scores 8264 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 1.7% higher than the Xeon E-2244G's score of 8126.

Q: Which processor wins in Geekbench single-core and by how much?

A: The Xeon E-2244G wins in Geekbench single-core with a score of 1408 versus 1198 for the i5-9500T, a 17.5% advantage.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two processors?

A: The Xeon E-2244G has a TDP of 71 watts, while the i5-9500T has a TDP of 35 watts. The i5-9500T draws less than half the power of the Xeon.

Q: Are both CPUs on the same socket?

A: Yes, both the Xeon E-2244G and the i5-9500T use Intel Socket 1151 and are built on the same 14 nm Coffee Lake architecture.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The Xeon E-2244G has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i5-9500T has 6 cores and 6 threads. The base clock is 3.80 GHz on the Xeon versus 2.20 GHz on the i5-9500T, and the boost clock is 4.80 GHz versus 3.70 GHz. The TDP is 71 watts versus 35 watts, a massive difference for systems with limited cooling or power budgets.

The L3 cache is 8 MB shared on the Xeon and 9 MB shared on the i5-9500T. The integrated graphics differ: HD Graphics P630 on the Xeon versus UHD Graphics 630 on the i5-9500T. ECC memory support is present only on the Xeon. The market segments differ, with the Xeon classified as Server/Workstation and the i5-9500T as Desktop. The release dates are different: the Xeon launched on 2019-05-28, while the i5-9500T launched on 2018-03-31. The part numbers are SRFAY for the Xeon and SRF4D for the i5-9500T. The launch MSRP is $272 for the Xeon and $192 for the i5-9500T.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear but nuanced verdict. The Intel Core i5-9500T wins the majority of benchmarks, taking 6 of 8 head-to-head tests, but its victories are consistently narrow. Every Cinebench win is between 1.6% and 1.7%, which is within the range of run-to-run variance for many workloads. The Xeon E-2244G, by contrast, loses those tests by small margins but wins Geekbench by a huge 17.5% in single-core and a solid 6.9% in multi-core. The average benchmark score slightly favors the Xeon (2527 versus 2493), and both sit at the 49th percentile of all CPUs.

For a builder prioritizing raw single-thread performance in Geekbench-style workloads, the Xeon E-2244G is the clear choice. Its higher clocks (4.80 GHz boost versus 3.70 GHz) deliver a decisive advantage that the i5-9500T cannot overcome. The Xeon also brings ECC memory support, which is essential for certain workstation and server applications. The 71-watt TDP is higher, but that buys you the clock speed.

For a builder prioritizing multi-threaded rendering or encoding tasks as measured by Cinebench, the i5-9500T edges ahead. Its two extra physical cores provide a consistent, if small, advantage across all Cinebench versions. The 35-watt TDP is a major asset for low-power or compact builds, and the 9 MB of L3 cache is marginally larger. The i5-9500T also carries a lower launch MSRP of $192 versus $272 for the Xeon.

The verdict depends on the workload. If you need ECC memory and maximum single-thread performance, take the Xeon. If you want lower power consumption, more physical cores, and slightly better Cinebench scores, take the i5-9500T. The overall average scores are nearly identical, so the decision should be driven by specific application requirements rather than overall performance.

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon E-2244G wins decisively in Geekbench, both single-core and multi-core. The single-core win of 17.5% is the largest margin in any test and points to workloads that rely heavily on high clock speeds and low latency per thread. The multi-core Geekbench win of 6.9% suggests that the Xeon's 8 threads, combined with its 4.80 GHz boost clock, outperform the i5's 6 threads in certain parallel workloads. This makes the Xeon a better fit for database servers, virtualization hosts, or engineering applications that are sensitive to per-thread performance and benefit from ECC memory. The higher TDP of 71 watts is the price for this performance, so it suits systems with adequate cooling.

The i5-9500T wins all six Cinebench tests, from R15 through R23, in both single-core and multi-core. The margins are small, between 1.6% and 1.7%, but they are consistent across every version of the benchmark. This indicates a steady advantage in rendering and 3D modeling workloads that scale with physical core count. The 6 cores and 6 threads, combined with the 9 MB of L3 cache, give it a slight edge over the Xeon's 4 cores and 8 threads in these specific tests. The 35-watt TDP is a major advantage for small form factor builds, all-in-one systems, or any deployment where heat output and power draw are primary concerns. The i5-9500T is also a Desktop market segment product, making it a natural fit for mainstream consumer workloads despite its lower clock speeds.

For mixed workloads, the average benchmark score of 2527 for the Xeon versus 2493 for the i5-9500T suggests the Xeon holds a marginal overall edge, but the difference is less than 1.5%. Both processors are end-of-life, so availability may vary. Choose based on what your specific software rewards: clock speed and ECC for the Xeon, or core count and power efficiency for the i5-9500T.