CPU Comparison

Intel Core i7-11700T and Intel Xeon E-2286M are both 8-core, 16-thread Intel processors, but they target different segments: the former is a desktop chip, the latter a server/workstation part. Benchmark data shows the two are extremely close in average performance, with the Core i7-11700T edging ahead by 1.1% in average benchmark score (3864 vs 3822). Both sit at the 56th percentile of all CPUs, placing them in the same performance tier overall. The head-to-head results reveal a more nuanced picture: the 11700T wins seven of eight tests, but the Xeon takes the Geekbench multi-core crown by a notable margin. This split suggests the two chips have distinct strengths that depend on the workload and benchmark methodology.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Core i7-11700T dominates the Cinebench suite, winning all six tests across R15, R20, and R23. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the 11700T scores 1304 against the Xeon's 1295, a 0.7% advantage. The single-core R15 result is 184 vs 182, a 1.1% edge for the 11700T. Moving to R20, the multi-core gap narrows slightly: 5436 vs 5396, still a 0.7% win for the 11700T. Single-core R20 shows 767 vs 761, a 0.8% margin. The R23 multi-core test repeats the pattern with 12945 vs 12848, a 0.8% difference, while R23 single-core yields 1827 vs 1813, also a 0.8% gap. Across all Cinebench variants, the 11700T maintains a consistent, if modest, lead ranging from 0.7% to 1.1%. These are small but repeatable margins, indicating the 11700T has a slight architectural edge in rendering-style workloads.

The largest single victory belongs to the 11700T in Geekbench single-core, where it scores 1824 against the Xeon's 1537. That is an 18.7% advantage, a substantial gap that dwarfs any other difference in the benchmark set. This result highlights a fundamental difference in single-thread performance between the two chips. In contrast, the Xeon E-2286M wins the Geekbench multi-core test decisively: 6746 vs 6621, a 1.9% margin in favor of the Xeon. This is the only test the Xeon wins, and it is the only test where the 11700T does not outperform. The multi-core Geekbench result is notable because it reverses the trend seen in Cinebench, suggesting that the Xeon's higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz helps in certain multi-threaded scenarios, even though the 11700T's 4.60 GHz boost is lower.

Overall, the head-to-head tally is 7 wins for the 11700T and 1 for the Xeon. However, the Xeon's single win in Geekbench multi-core is significant because that benchmark often reflects real-world application performance more closely than synthetic Cinebench loops. The 18.7% single-core gap is the standout metric, making the 11700T the clear choice for single-threaded responsiveness, while the Xeon's 1.9% multi-core win suggests it holds its own in parallel workloads.

Where Each One Wins

The Core i7-11700T wins decisively in single-threaded performance. The 18.7% lead in Geekbench single-core is the headline number, but the 11700T also wins every Cinebench single-core test by 0.8% to 1.1%. This makes it the better choice for applications that rely on per-core speed, such as general desktop use, web browsing, and lightly threaded productivity tasks. The consistent Cinebench multi-core wins, albeit small, also give the 11700T an edge in rendering workloads like those modeled by Maxon's Cinebench. The 11700T's integrated UHD Graphics 750 also provides a more capable iGPU for basic display output or light graphics acceleration.

The Xeon E-2286M's strength is its Geekbench multi-core performance, where it beats the 11700T by 1.9%. This indicates that in certain multi-threaded workloads, particularly those that scale well across cores and benefit from the Xeon's higher 5.00 GHz boost clock, the Xeon can pull ahead. The Xeon's ECC memory support is another differentiator, making it suited for environments where data integrity is critical, such as entry-level servers or workstations handling financial or scientific computations. The Xeon also has a higher TDP of 45W versus 35W, which allows it to sustain higher clock speeds under load, contributing to its multi-core performance in some scenarios.

The Xeon's market segment is Server/Workstation, which aligns with its ECC support and lower power draw relative to many server parts. The 11700T, as a desktop chip with a 35W TDP, is aimed at power-efficient desktops or small form factor systems. For users prioritizing single-thread speed and integrated graphics, the 11700T is superior. For those needing ECC memory and slightly better multi-core Geekbench performance, the Xeon is the relevant option.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on different architectures despite sharing the same 14 nm process node from Intel. The Core i7-11700T is based on Rocket Lake, a desktop architecture that succeeds Comet Lake. Its codename is Rocket Lake-S, and it is part of the Core 11th Gen family. The Xeon E-2286M is based on Coffee Lake, specifically Coffee Lake-H, an architecture that predates Rocket Lake by several generations. The 11700T's die size is 276 mm², while the Xeon's is 180 mm², making the Rocket Lake die significantly larger.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The 11700T has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core, while the Xeon has 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core. Both share 16 MB of L3 cache, but the larger L1 and L2 caches on the 11700T likely contribute to its single-core performance advantage. The 11700T supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU, whereas the Xeon supports only PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. This gives the 11700T a bandwidth advantage for modern GPUs and NVMe storage.

The 11700T's memory bandwidth is rated at 51.2 GB/s, compared to the Xeon's 42.7 GB/s, a 19.9% difference. Both support dual-channel DDR4, but the 11700T's higher bandwidth figure reflects its newer memory controller design. The Xeon, however, supports ECC memory, which the 11700T does not. The 11700T features integrated UHD Graphics 750, while the Xeon has UHD Graphics P630, both providing integrated graphics capability but with different performance characteristics.

Specification Differences

The most obvious difference is the socket. The 11700T uses Intel Socket 1200, a desktop socket, while the Xeon E-2286M uses Intel BGA 1440, a soldered, mobile-style socket. This means the Xeon is not upgradeable and is typically found in pre-built laptops or mobile workstations, whereas the 11700T can be installed on compatible desktop motherboards. The base clocks differ substantially: the 11700T runs at 1400 MHz, while the Xeon runs at 2400 MHz. The boost clocks are 4.60 GHz for the 11700T and 5.00 GHz for the Xeon. The Xeon's higher base clock gives it a latency advantage in idle-to-load transitions, but the 11700T's lower base clock is offset by its higher turbo efficiency in single-threaded tests.

TDP is another key split: the 11700T is rated at 35W, while the Xeon is rated at 45W. This makes the 11700T more power-efficient, which is notable for a desktop chip. The 11700T has a launch MSRP of $323, while the Xeon launched at $623, but pricing is not a factor in performance analysis. The 11700T was released on 2021-03-15, while the Xeon was released on 2019-05-28, making the Xeon nearly two years older. The 11700T supports PCIe Gen 4, while the Xeon is limited to Gen 3. The Xeon supports ECC memory, while the 11700T does not. The 11700T's memory bandwidth is higher at 51.2 GB/s vs 42.7 GB/s. Both have the same core and thread counts, and both are locked (multiplier not unlocked).

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700T wins all single-core tests. In Geekbench single-core, it scores 1824 versus the Xeon E-2286M's 1537, a 18.7% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it leads 1827 to 1813, an 0.8% margin.

Q: Does the Xeon E-2286M outperform the 11700T in any benchmark?

A: Yes, the Xeon wins Geekbench multi-core with a score of 6746 against the 11700T's 6621, a 1.9% difference. This is the only test out of eight where the Xeon comes out ahead.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth between the two?

A: The 11700T has a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the Xeon E-2286M has 42.7 GB/s. The 11700T's bandwidth is higher by about 19.9%.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Xeon E-2286M supports ECC memory, while the 11700T does not. This makes the Xeon more suitable for error-sensitive workloads.

Q: What are the base and boost clock speeds for each?

A: The 11700T has a base clock of 1400 MHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The Xeon E-2286M has a base clock of 2400 MHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The 11700T has an average benchmark score of 3864, which is 1.1% higher than the Xeon's 3822. Both processors sit at the 56th percentile of all CPUs.