CPU Comparison
Intel Core i7-11700T
Xeon E-2278GE
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core i7-11700T vs Intel Xeon E-2278GE
The Intel Core i7-11700T and Intel Xeon E-2278GE are both 8-core, 16-thread Intel processors, yet they target different segments of the market, one a low-power desktop part, the other a workstation/server chip. Benchmark results show a consistent, if narrow, advantage for the Xeon E-2278GE across every tested workload, with single-digit percentage leads that are uniform in direction.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The head-to-head data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon E-2278GE wins all six benchmark comparisons. The largest margin appears in both Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core tests, where the Xeon leads by 5.0%. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 1372 against the 11700T’s 1304, a deficit of 5% for the Core part. The R20 multi-core test shows a similar gap: 5719 for the Xeon versus 5436 for the 11700T, again a 4.9% difference.
Single-core results tell the same story, though the margins are slightly tighter in one case. The Xeon’s Cinebench R15 single-core score of 193 beats the 11700T’s 184 by 4.7%, the smallest delta in the entire comparison. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Xeon scores 807 against 767, a 5.0% lead. The Cinebench R23 suite confirms the pattern: the Xeon’s multi-core score of 13619 is 4.9% ahead of the 11700T’s 12945, and its single-core score of 1922 likewise beats 1827 by 4.9%.
These margins are consistent across all tests, indicating a systematic performance advantage for the Xeon rather than workload-specific behavior. The average benchmark score reflects this: the Xeon E-2278GE posts 3939, while the 11700T averages 3864. In percentile terms, the Xeon ranks at the 57th percentile among all CPUs, one point above the 11700T’s 56th. The nearest rival data places the 11700T within a narrow band of competitors, the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2718 is 0.3% higher, the AMD Ryzen 5 4600GE is 1.1% higher, and the Intel Xeon E-2286M is 1.1% lower. The Xeon E-2278GE, meanwhile, sits 0.4% below the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS and 0.5% above the AMD Ryzen 3 7330U, showing it competes in a slightly faster peer group.
Architecture Differences
The two processors come from different architectural generations. The Core i7-11700T is built on Rocket Lake, Intel’s 14nm architecture for desktop, with a die size of 276 mm². The Xeon E-2278GE uses Coffee Lake, also 14nm, but with a smaller die at 180 mm². Both are manufactured by Intel on the same process node, but the underlying designs differ in cache hierarchy and feature support.
The 11700T allocates 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, while the Xeon provides 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core. Both share 16 MB of L3 cache. The 11700T’s larger per-core caches reflect its newer architecture, yet the Xeon’s higher clock speeds compensate in benchmark results.
Clock speeds differ substantially. The 11700T has a base clock of 1400 MHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz, while the Xeon runs at a 3300 MHz base and a 4.70 GHz boost. The Xeon’s base clock is more than double that of the 11700T, which explains its ability to maintain higher sustained throughput despite the architectural differences.
Memory support also diverges. Both use DDR4 in dual-channel configuration, but the 11700T offers 51.2 GB/s of memory bandwidth versus the Xeon’s 42.7 GB/s. The 11700T supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the Xeon is limited to PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The Xeon counters with ECC memory support, a feature absent on the 11700T. Integrated graphics differ as well: the 11700T carries UHD Graphics 750, while the Xeon has UHD Graphics P630.
The socket is another point of separation. The 11700T uses Intel Socket 1200, whereas the Xeon E-2278GE uses Intel Socket 1151. The market segments reflect the intended use: the 11700T is a desktop part, and the Xeon is aimed at server and workstation deployments.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core performance in Cinebench R23?
A: The Intel Xeon E-2278GE scores 13619 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 4.9% higher than the Intel Core i7-11700T’s score of 12945.
Q: What is the single-core performance gap between the two in Cinebench R20?
A: The Xeon E-2278GE achieves 807 in Cinebench R20 single-core, while the 11700T scores 767. The Xeon leads by 5.0% in this test.
Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?
A: No. The Intel Xeon E-2278GE supports ECC memory, but the Intel Core i7-11700T does not.
Q: How do the base clock speeds compare?
A: The Xeon E-2278GE has a base clock of 3300 MHz, which is significantly higher than the 11700T’s base clock of 1400 MHz. The boost clocks are closer, at 4.70 GHz for the Xeon and 4.60 GHz for the 11700T.
Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?
A: The Xeon E-2278GE averages 3939 across benchmarks, compared to 3864 for the 11700T. The Xeon also sits at the 57th percentile against all CPUs, one point above the 11700T’s 56th.
Q: What are the L3 cache sizes for each processor?
A: Both processors have 16 MB of shared L3 cache, but the 11700T has larger per-core L1 and L2 caches, 80 KB and 512 KB respectively, versus the Xeon’s 64 KB and 256 KB.
Specification Differences
| Specification | Intel Core i7-11700T | Intel Xeon E-2278GE |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1400 MHz | 3300 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 4.60 GHz | 4.70 GHz |
| TDP | 35 W | 80 W |
| Socket | Intel Socket 1200 | Intel Socket 1151 |
| Architecture | Rocket Lake | Coffee Lake |
| Die Size | 276 mm² | 180 mm² |
| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |
| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 256 KB (per core) |
| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 42.7 GB/s |
| ECC Memory | No | Yes |
| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes | Gen 3, 16 Lanes |
| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 750 | UHD Graphics P630 |
| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |
| Release Date | 2021-03-15 | 2019-06-10 |
| Launch MSRP | $323 | $519 |
Where Each One Wins
The Intel Xeon E-2278GE wins every benchmark in the comparison, making it the clear choice for raw compute performance. Its advantage is most pronounced in multi-threaded workloads, where it leads by 4.9% to 5.0% across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. The Xeon’s higher base and boost clocks, 3300 MHz and 4.70 GHz respectively, give it a sustained performance edge that the 11700T’s larger per-core cache cannot overcome. For server and workstation tasks that demand consistent throughput, such as rendering or simulation, the Xeon’s benchmark results and ECC memory support make it the appropriate selection. Its 80 W TDP is higher than the 11700T’s 35 W, but the performance payoff is visible in the data.
The Intel Core i7-11700T, despite losing all head-to-head tests, has distinct advantages in other areas. Its 35 W TDP makes it a far more power-efficient part, suitable for compact desktop builds where thermal headroom is limited. The 11700T offers superior memory bandwidth at 51.2 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s, and it supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes, enabling faster storage and expansion options. Its integrated UHD Graphics 750 is paired with a desktop market segment, and the newer Rocket Lake architecture provides larger L1 and L2 caches per core. For users prioritizing low power consumption or modern platform features like PCIe Gen 4, the 11700T is the better fit, even if its benchmark scores trail by roughly 5% across the board. The Xeon’s launch MSRP of $519 also positions it as a more expensive part than the 11700T’s $323, though the benchmark data shows its performance lead is consistent.