Intel Core i7-10610U vs Intel Xeon E-2124 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2124 leads with an average score of 1658, while the Intel Core i7-10610U sits at 1611. That puts the Xeon about 2.9% higher, and the Xeon ranks in the 40th percentile versus 39th for the i7.

Q: Do both chips have the same number of cores?

A: Yes, both have 4 physical cores. However, the i7-10610U supports 8 threads, while the Xeon E-2124 is limited to 4 threads, so the i7 has hyper-threading while the Xeon does not.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the Xeon E-2124 supports ECC memory. The i7-10610U does not offer ECC support, which is typical for a mobile Core part.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption between the two?

A: The i7-10610U has a TDP of 25 watts versus 71 watts for the Xeon E-2124. The Xeon draws nearly three times the power, reflecting its desktop workstation design.

Q: Which chip has a higher boost clock?

A: The i7-10610U boosts to 4.90 GHz, while the Xeon E-2124 boosts to 4.30 GHz. The i7 also starts with a lower base clock of 1.80 GHz versus 3.30 GHz for the Xeon.

Q: How do they compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Xeon E-2124 scores 5734 versus 5569 for the i7-10610U, a 2.9% advantage. The Xeon wins all six head-to-head benchmark tests in the database.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from different Intel families. The i7-10610U is built on Comet Lake, specifically the Comet Lake-U mobile variant, and uses the Intel BGA 1440 socket. The Xeon E-2124 belongs to the Coffee Lake generation, codenamed Coffee Lake-S WS, and uses Intel Socket 1151.

Both are manufactured on Intel's 14 nm process node, and both use the same Intel foundry. The die size differs, though: the Xeon E-2124 has a recorded die size of 126 mm², while the i7-10610U has no listed die size in the database.

Cache layouts are identical per core: 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, with 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The memory controllers differ slightly. The i7-10610U supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the Xeon E-2124 supports only DDR4. Both run dual-channel memory, but the Xeon has a listed memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while the i7 has no bandwidth figure recorded.

ECC memory is another key split. The Xeon supports ECC, the i7 does not. The i7 also lacks any listed memory bandwidth specification, which is common for mobile parts where the controller is tuned for efficiency.

The i7-10610U features integrated UHD Graphics, while the Xeon E-2124 comes with UHD Graphics P630. PCIe support is Gen 3 for both, but the Xeon specifies 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i7 lists no lane count.

Market segments diverge sharply. The i7 is a mobile part, designed for laptops and ultrabooks. The Xeon is a server or workstation chip. The i7's production status is end-of-life, as is the Xeon's, but the Xeon launched earlier, on 2018-07-11, versus 2020-04-01 for the i7.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records six Cinebench comparisons between the two, and the Xeon E-2124 wins every single one. The margins are small but consistent, ranging from 2.5% to 2.9%.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 577 against 561 for the i7, a 2.8% edge. The single-core R15 test shows the Xeon at 81 versus 79, a 2.5% advantage. Moving to R20, the Xeon leads 2408 to 2338 in multi-core, a 2.9% gap, and 339 to 330 in single-core, a 2.7% gap.

The most recent Cinebench R23 results tell the same story. Multi-core: Xeon 5734, i7 5569, with the Xeon ahead by 2.9%. Single-core: Xeon 809, i7 786, a 2.8% lead for the Xeon.

The pattern is clear: the Xeon is consistently faster in every workload tested, but the differences are narrow. The largest gap, 2.9%, appears in both R20 and R23 multi-core tests. The smallest gap, 2.5%, appears in R15 single-core.

Interestingly, the i7's hyper-threading does not help it overcome the Xeon's higher base clock and desktop power envelope. Despite having twice the thread count, the i7 trails in multi-core tests by roughly the same margin as it trails in single-core tests.

The i7-10610U's 4.90 GHz boost clock is higher than the Xeon's 4.30 GHz, yet the Xeon still wins single-core tests. This suggests the Xeon's higher sustained clocks, enabled by its 71 watt TDP, outweigh the i7's brief boost spikes.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields:

• Threads: i7 has 8 threads, Xeon has 4 threads.
• Base clock: i7 at 1.80 GHz, Xeon at 3.30 GHz.
• Boost clock: i7 at 4.90 GHz, Xeon at 4.30 GHz.
• TDP: i7 at 25 watts, Xeon at 71 watts.
• Socket: i7 uses Intel BGA 1440, Xeon uses Intel Socket 1151.
• Codename: i7 is Comet Lake-U, Xeon is Coffee Lake-S WS.
• Die size: Xeon listed at 126 mm², i7 has no listing.
• Memory support: i7 supports DDR3 and DDR4, Xeon supports DDR4 only.
• Memory bandwidth: Xeon listed at 42.7 GB/s, i7 has no listing.
• ECC memory: i7 does not support, Xeon supports.
• Integrated graphics: i7 has UHD Graphics, Xeon has UHD Graphics P630.
• Market segment: i7 is mobile, Xeon is server/workstation.
• Release date: i7 launched 2020-04-01, Xeon launched 2018-07-11.
• Launch MSRP: Xeon has a listed launch MSRP of $198, i7 has none.
• Part number: Xeon listed as SR3WQ, i7 has none.

Both share identical core counts (4), L1 and L2 cache per core, L3 cache size (8 MB), process node (14 nm), foundry, PCIe generation (Gen 3), and dual-channel memory bus.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points clearly to the Xeon E-2124 as the faster processor. It wins all six head-to-head comparisons, with advantages of 2.5% to 2.9% across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. The average benchmark score also favors the Xeon: 1658 versus 1611, a 2.9% gap.

The Xeon's higher base clock of 3.30 GHz and its 71 watt power budget allow it to sustain performance, whereas the i7's 25 watt TDP and 1.80 GHz base clock force it to rely on boost clocks that cannot be maintained as aggressively. The i7's hyper-threading gives it more threads, but the extra threads do not translate into a multi-core win.

The Xeon also offers ECC memory support, a feature absent on the i7, and it targets the server and workstation market. The i7 is a mobile chip, built for power efficiency and compact designs.

For anyone choosing between these two based on the database results, the Xeon E-2124 is the stronger performer in every measured metric. The i7-10610U is the choice only if mobility and lower power consumption are the primary requirements, as its 25 watt TDP suits portable devices.

The Xeon's launch MSRP of $198 provides a reference point, but neither chip is in active production, both being end-of-life.

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon E-2124 wins every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison. It is the better choice for:

• Multi-threaded workloads: It leads by 2.8% in R15, 2.9% in R20, and 2.9% in R23 multi-core tests.
• Single-threaded tasks: It leads by 2.5% in R15, 2.7% in R20, and 2.8% in R23 single-core tests.
• ECC memory environments: It supports ECC, which is critical for error-sensitive server and workstation applications.
• Sustained performance: Its higher base clock and TDP suggest it can maintain speed over long sessions.

The i7-10610U has no benchmark wins, but it has qualitative advantages:

• Lower power draw: At 25 watts TDP, it is suited for laptops and fanless designs.
• Higher boost clock: 4.90 GHz versus 4.30 GHz, which could help in short, bursty tasks.
• Broader memory support: DDR3 and DDR4 compatibility gives flexibility in older systems.
• Mobile form factor: The BGA 1440 socket is designed for compact, portable devices.

The data shows the Xeon as the outright performance winner, while the i7's strengths lie in efficiency and mobility. The Xeon outperforms the i7 in all recorded tests, but the i7's lower power envelope makes it the only sensible pick for battery-powered or thermally constrained systems. For any workload where raw compute speed matters, the Xeon E-2124 is the clear choice.