CPU Comparison
Intel Core i7-10875H
Xeon E-2146G
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core i7-10875H vs Intel Xeon E-2146G
The Intel Core i7-10875H and Intel Xeon E-2146G are both 14nm Intel processors, but they target entirely different platforms and workloads. Benchmark data shows the Core i7-10875H wins 7 of 8 head-to-head comparisons, including all multi-core tests, with margins ranging from 3.6% to 9.4%. The Xeon E-2146G claims a single victory in Geekbench single-core, where it leads by 10.1%. However, the Xeon's higher 3.50 GHz base clock and 4.50 GHz boost clock do not translate into overall superiority, as the Core i7's two additional cores and 5.10 GHz boost clock prove decisive in threaded workloads.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?
A: The Intel Core i7-10875H has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Xeon E-2146G has 6 cores and 12 threads.
Q: How do their clock speeds compare?
A: The Xeon E-2146G has a higher base clock at 3.50 GHz versus 2.30 GHz for the Core i7-10875H. The Core i7-10875H has a higher boost clock at 5.10 GHz versus 4.50 GHz for the Xeon.
Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?
A: The Core i7-10875H has 16 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Xeon E-2146G has 12 MB of shared L3 cache.
Q: Do these processors support ECC memory?
A: Yes, the Intel Xeon E-2146G supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i7-10875H does not support ECC memory.
Q: What is the performance difference in multi-core Cinebench R23?
A: The Core i7-10875H scores 12234 versus 11214 for the Xeon E-2146G, a 9.1% advantage for the Core i7.
Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?
A: The Core i7-10875H has an average benchmark score of 3432, compared to 3410 for the Xeon E-2146G. Both sit at the 54th percentile of all CPUs.
Where Each One Wins
The Intel Core i7-10875H is the clear winner for multi-threaded and mixed workloads. It dominates every Cinebench multi-core test, leading by 9.1% in R15, R20, and R23, and by 3.6% in Geekbench multi-core. This makes it the stronger choice for rendering, video encoding, and any application that scales across cores. The 8-core/16-thread configuration provides a tangible advantage over the Xeon's 6-core/12-thread setup in parallel tasks.
The Intel Xeon E-2146G wins only in Geekbench single-core, where it scores 1540 versus 1384 for the Core i7, a 10.1% advantage. This suggests that in lightly-threaded, short-burst tasks, the Xeon's higher base clock can provide snappier performance. However, even in Cinebench single-core tests, the Core i7 wins by 9.1% to 9.4%, meaning the Xeon's single-core victory is specific to that benchmark rather than a general trend.
The Xeon E-2146G also holds the edge for workstation reliability, offering ECC memory support. For users requiring error-correcting memory in a server or workstation environment, this is a defining feature that no amount of benchmark wins can offset. The Core i7-10875H, being a mobile processor, is not designed for such duty.
Architecture Differences
Both processors are built on Intel's 14 nm process node, but they come from different architectural families. The Core i7-10875H uses the Comet Lake architecture with the codename Comet Lake-H, while the Xeon E-2146G uses the Coffee Lake architecture with the codename Coffee Lake-S WS. The Core i7 is part of the Core 10th Gen series, whereas the Xeon is from the Xeon E-2100 series.
The die sizes differ, with the Core i7-10875H measuring 177.5 mm² and the Xeon E-2146G at 154 mm². Both have identical L1 and L2 cache configurations at 64 KB and 256 KB per core, respectively. The L3 cache differs, with the Core i7 offering 16 MB shared versus 12 MB shared on the Xeon.
Memory support is DDR4 for both with dual-channel buses, but the Core i7 has a higher theoretical memory bandwidth at 46.9 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s for the Xeon. ECC memory is a key differentiator, supported only on the Xeon. Both have PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics also differ: the Core i7 features UHD Graphics, while the Xeon uses HD Graphics P630.
Specification Differences
The most significant specification difference is core count: 8 cores on the Core i7-10875H versus 6 cores on the Xeon E-2146G. This translates to 16 threads versus 12 threads. Base clocks are 2.30 GHz for the Core i7 and 3.50 GHz for the Xeon, while boost clocks are 5.10 GHz and 4.50 GHz, respectively.
Thermal design power differs substantially, with the Core i7 rated at 45W and the Xeon at 80W. The socket types are incompatible: the Core i7 uses Intel BGA 1440, while the Xeon uses Intel Socket 1151. The market segments reflect this: the Core i7 is a mobile processor, and the Xeon is for server/workstation use.
The Core i7-10875H has a larger L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB) and higher memory bandwidth (46.9 GB/s vs 42.7 GB/s). The Xeon supports ECC memory; the Core i7 does not. Production status also differs: the Core i7 is active, while the Xeon is end-of-life. Release dates are April 2020 for the Core i7 and July 2018 for the Xeon.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The Core i7-10875H wins decisively in all Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 1233 versus 1130, a 9.1% margin. The single-core R15 result is 174 versus 159, a 9.4% edge. Cinebench R20 follows the same pattern: 5138 versus 4709 in multi-core (9.1%) and 725 versus 664 in single-core (9.2%). Cinebench R23 shows 12234 versus 11214 in multi-core (9.1%) and 1727 versus 1583 in single-core (9.1%).
Geekbench results are more nuanced. In multi-core, the Core i7 scores 6511 versus 6283, a 3.6% win. But in single-core, the Xeon E-2146G reverses the trend, scoring 1540 versus 1384, a 10.1% advantage. This is the only test where the Xeon wins, and the margin is larger than any of the Core i7's victories in the other tests.
The data shows a consistent pattern: the Core i7-10875H is faster in nearly every scenario, with margins between 3.6% and 9.4%. The Xeon's single-core Geekbench win is an outlier, given that it loses single-core Cinebench tests by over 9%. This suggests the Xeon's advantage is benchmark-specific rather than a general indicator of single-thread performance.
The Verdict
The Intel Core i7-10875H is the better processor for almost all performance metrics. It wins 7 of 8 head-to-head benchmarks, with multi-core advantages of 9.1% across all Cinebench versions and a 3.6% lead in Geekbench multi-core. The two additional cores and 16 MB of L3 cache provide a solid foundation for modern, threaded workloads. Its 5.10 GHz boost clock also ensures competitive single-thread performance, winning all Cinebench single-core tests by over 9%.
The Intel Xeon E-2146G should be chosen only for specific workstation needs. Its sole benchmark win is Geekbench single-core at 10.1%, but this does not offset losses elsewhere. The deciding factor is ECC memory support, which the Xeon offers exclusively. For server or workstation environments where data integrity is critical, the Xeon's ECC capability is more important than raw benchmark scores. Its higher 80W TDP and 3.50 GHz base clock also suit sustained, fixed-load scenarios better than the mobile-oriented 45W Core i7.
For general-purpose computing, content creation, or any task that benefits from 8 cores, the Core i7-10875H is the unequivocal choice. The Xeon E-2146G is a niche product for ECC-requiring systems, and its end-of-life status further limits its appeal. Benchmark data clearly favors the Core i7-10875H in performance, while the Xeon's value lies solely in its platform features.