CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i7-11700B and Intel Xeon E-2378G are both 8-core, 16-thread Intel processors, but the benchmark data reveals a remarkably consistent pattern: the Core i7-11700B wins every single Cinebench test in the head-to-head comparison, though by a razor-thin margin of just 0.8% across the board. The Xeon E-2378G counters with a higher boost clock, ECC memory support, and a server-oriented feature set, while the Core i7-11700B offers a newer manufacturing process and a larger L3 cache. This is a classic case of near-identical compute performance being decided by platform and feature priorities rather than raw speed.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear but narrow verdict: the Intel Core i7-11700B is the faster CPU in every benchmark recorded. Across six Cinebench tests, spanning R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core workloads, the Core i7-11700B wins each time with a deltaPct of 0.8% over the Xeon E-2378G. For example, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core i7-11700B scores 18,119 versus 17,974 for the Xeon, and in R20 single-core it posts 1,074 against 1,065. The consistency of this 0.8% advantage suggests it is a fundamental architectural edge, not a workload-specific fluke.

However, the Xeon E-2378G is not without its own claims. It boosts higher at 5.10 GHz versus 4.80 GHz, supports ECC memory (a feature the Core i7-11700B lacks), and is classified as an active, server/workstation part. The Core i7-11700B, by contrast, is marked end-of-life and targets the mobile segment. For buyers prioritizing error-correcting memory for data integrity in a workstation, the Xeon E-2378G is the only choice between the two. For anyone who can use a mobile BGA 1787 platform and wants the slight performance edge, the Core i7-11700B wins on raw scores. The average benchmark scores reinforce this: the Core i7-11700B averages 5,241 (60th percentile among all CPUs), while the Xeon E-2378G averages 5,199 (also 60th percentile). The difference is tiny, but it is consistently in the Core i7-11700B's favor.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from different Intel design families, which explains their divergent characteristics. The Core i7-11700B is built on the Tiger Lake-H architecture using a 10 nm process node, while the Xeon E-2378G uses the Rocket Lake-E architecture on a 14 nm node. This process advantage likely contributes to the Core i7-11700B's efficiency, though both are locked (multiplierUnlocked: false). The die size reflects the process gap: the Core i7-11700B measures 190 mm², while the Xeon E-2378G is substantially larger at 276 mm².

Cache configurations also differ meaningfully. The Core i7-11700B features 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core and 24 MB of shared L3 cache, whereas the Xeon E-2378G has 512 KB of L2 per core and only 16 MB of shared L3. Both share the same L1 cache of 80 KB per core. The larger L3 on the Core i7-11700B could be a factor in its consistent 0.8% benchmark lead, especially in multi-threaded workloads that benefit from more shared cache. Interestingly, both CPUs support DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration and identical 51.2 GB/s memory bandwidth, so memory throughput is not a differentiator.

The integrated graphics differ as well: the Core i7-11700B packs UHD Graphics (Xe-LP), while the Xeon E-2378G uses UHD Graphics P750. Both support PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), but the Xeon adds ECC memory support, a critical feature for error-sensitive server workloads. The Core i7-11700B is a mobile part (Intel BGA 1787 socket) released in May 2021, while the Xeon E-2378G is a server/workstation part (Intel Socket 1200) released in September 2021. The Xeon carries a launch MSRP of $494, and it remains in production, whereas the Core i7-11700B is end-of-life.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock, and does that translate to better single-core performance?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2378G has a higher boost clock at 5.10 GHz compared to the Core i7-11700B's 4.80 GHz. However, the benchmark data shows the opposite result: the Core i7-11700B wins every single-core test, including Cinebench R23 single-core with 2,558 versus 2,537, a 0.8% margin. This suggests the Core i7-11700B's architectural efficiency (10 nm versus 14 nm) outweighs the raw clock advantage.

Q: Does the Xeon E-2378G support ECC memory, and why might that matter?

A: Yes, the Xeon E-2378G supports ECC memory (eccMemory: true), while the Core i7-11700B does not (eccMemory: false). ECC (Error-Correcting Code) memory can detect and correct data corruption, making it valuable for servers and workstations handling critical financial, scientific, or database workloads where a single-bit error could be costly.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in multi-core Cinebench R20 performance?

A: The Core i7-11700B scores 7,609 in Cinebench R20 multi-core, while the Xeon E-2378G scores 7,549. This gives the Core i7-11700B a 0.8% advantage. The margin is small but consistent with every other benchmark in the head-to-head comparison.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The data shows multiplierUnlocked: false for both the Core i7-11700B and the Xeon E-2378G, so users cannot manually overclock either chip beyond their factory boost behavior.

Q: Which CPU has a larger L3 cache, and could that affect performance?

A: The Core i7-11700B has a 24 MB shared L3 cache, while the Xeon E-2378G has only 16 MB. The larger cache likely contributes to the Core i7-11700B's consistent 0.8% benchmark lead, as more cache can reduce memory latency and improve hit rates in multi-threaded scenarios.

Q: What is the production status of each chip?

A: The Core i7-11700B is marked as end-of-life, while the Xeon E-2378G is listed as active. This means the Xeon is still in production for server/workstation buyers, whereas the Core i7-11700B is no longer being manufactured.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-11700B | Intel Xeon E-2378G |

|---|---|---|

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 2.80 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.80 GHz | 5.10 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 80 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1787 | Intel Socket 1200 |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | 190 mm² | 276 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 24 MB (shared) | 16 MB (shared) |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics (Xe-LP) | UHD Graphics P750 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Server/Workstation |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2021-05-10 | 2021-09-07 |

| Part Number | SRKU5 | SRKN1 |

The two CPUs share identical core/thread counts (8/16), memory support (DDR4, dual-channel), memory bandwidth (51.2 GB/s), and PCIe configuration (Gen 4, 20 lanes). Both are locked and from Intel. The launch MSRP of the Xeon E-2378G is $494; the Core i7-11700B has no listed launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are unusually uniform: the Core i7-11700B wins all six tests by exactly 0.8% each. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 1,826 versus 1,811; in R15 single-core, 257 versus 255. The pattern holds in R20: multi-core 7,609 versus 7,549, and single-core 1,074 versus 1,065. The largest absolute gap appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Core i7-11700B posts 18,119 against the Xeon's 17,974, a 145-point difference. In R23 single-core, the margin is 2,558 versus 2,537.

The consistency of the 0.8% delta across every test is striking. It suggests the Core i7-11700B's architectural advantages, the 10 nm node, larger L2 and L3 caches, provide a uniform uplift that is independent of workload type. The Xeon's higher 5.10 GHz boost clock was not enough to overcome this in any single-core test, and its lower 2.80 GHz base clock may have hurt sustained multi-core performance. The average benchmark scores reflect the same story: the Core i7-11700B averages 5,241, placing it between the Intel Core i9-10850K (5,240, 0% delta) and the Intel Core i5-14401E (5,253, -0.2% delta). The Xeon E-2378G averages 5,199, which is 0.8% behind the Core i7-11700B and 0.2% behind the Intel Core i5-13400T (5,210).

Where Each One Wins

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the Intel Core i7-11700B wins every performance category tested. It takes all six Cinebench victories, covering both single-core and multi-core workloads across three versions of the benchmark. Its 24 MB L3 cache and 10 nm process give it a measurable, if small, edge in every scenario. If the question is pure compute speed, the Core i7-11700B is the answer.

The Intel Xeon E-2378G wins in feature-specific categories, not raw speed. Its ECC memory support makes it the only viable option for error-sensitive server or workstation environments. Its active production status means it remains available for new system builds, while the Core i7-11700B is end-of-life. The Xeon's higher 5.10 GHz boost clock and 80 W TDP (versus 65 W) indicate a different design philosophy, more headroom for burst workloads, but the benchmarks show this did not translate into wins. The Xeon's server/workstation market segment and Socket 1200 platform are also clear differentiators for buyers building rack-mounted or professional systems.

In practice, the choice is not about which chip is faster, the Core i7-11700B holds that title, but about which platform requirements matter more. A mobile BGA 1787 system with no ECC requirement points to the Core i7-11700B. A Socket 1200 server board with ECC memory and long-term availability points to the Xeon E-2378G. The performance difference is just 0.8%, so the decision should hinge on socket, ECC, and production status rather than benchmark scores.