Intel Core i7-11700T vs Intel Xeon E-2336 Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data points to a clear but narrow overall winner: the Intel Xeon E-2336. It wins all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the Intel Core i7-11700T, with every victory falling between 6% and 6.5%. The Xeon’s average benchmark score is 3985, which places it in the 57th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core i7-11700T averages 3864 and sits in the 56th percentile. That is a slim margin, but it is consistent across every test.

The Core i7-11700T is not without reason to exist. It has two more cores and four more threads, a lower 35 W TDP, and integrated graphics. The Xeon E-2336, on the other hand, is a server and workstation part with a 65 W TDP and no integrated graphics, but it supports ECC memory. For a builder who prioritizes raw compute performance and memory reliability, the Xeon E-2336 is the pick. For a builder who needs a low-power desktop processor with graphics built in and is willing to accept a 6% performance deficit, the Core i7-11700T is the sensible alternative. The data does not show any scenario where the Core i7 outperforms the Xeon in compute workloads.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E-2336 wins on every benchmark that the database recorded. In Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both multicore and singlecore, it leads. The largest delta is 6.5% in Cinebench R23 singlecore, where the Xeon scores 1945 against the Core i7’s 1827. The smallest delta is 6% in Cinebench R15 singlecore, with scores of 195 and 184. Multicore deltas are uniformly 6.4% across R15, R20, and R23.

The Core i7-11700T wins in categories that are not part of the head-to-head compute list. It has 8 cores and 16 threads versus 6 cores and 12 threads for the Xeon. It also offers integrated graphics, specifically UHD Graphics 750, which the Xeon lacks. Its TDP is 35 W, dramatically lower than the Xeon’s 65 W. That means for a compact desktop build with no discrete GPU and a focus on energy efficiency, the Core i7 is the only option of the two. But in pure processing benchmarks, the Xeon’s higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz against 4.60 GHz and its server-oriented tuning give it the edge.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel’s 14 nm process and use the Rocket Lake architecture. The Xeon E-2336 carries the codename Rocket Lake-E, while the Core i7-11700T is Rocket Lake. Both have the same die size of 276 mm² and the same L1 cache of 80 KB per core and L2 cache of 512 KB per core. The differences start with core count and cache capacity. The Xeon has 6 cores and 12 threads with 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core i7 has 8 cores and 16 threads with 16 MB of shared L3 cache.

The Xeon E-2336 is a server and workstation part. It supports ECC memory, which the Core i7 does not. The Core i7-11700T is a desktop part and includes integrated graphics, while the Xeon has none. Both support DDR4 memory in dual-channel mode with identical memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. Both use Intel Socket 1200 and provide Gen 4 PCIe with 20 lanes from the CPU. The Xeon’s release date is September 7, 2021, and it is still in active production. The Core i7 released on March 15, 2021, and is now end-of-life. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so both are locked parts.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2336. In Cinebench R23 singlecore, it scores 1945 against the Core i7-11700T’s 1827, a 6.5% lead. In Cinebench R15 singlecore, the Xeon leads 195 to 184, or 6%.

Q: Does the Core i7-11700T have more cores than the Xeon E-2336?

A: Yes. The Core i7-11700T has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Xeon E-2336 has 6 cores and 12 threads. Despite that, the Xeon still wins multicore tests. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Xeon scores 13777 versus 12945, a 6.4% advantage.

Q: Can the Xeon E-2336 use ECC memory?

A: Yes, ECC memory support is listed for the Xeon E-2336. The Core i7-11700T does not support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Core i7-11700T. It includes UHD Graphics 750. The Xeon E-2336 has no integrated graphics, so it requires a discrete GPU for display output.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Xeon E-2336 has a TDP of 65 W, while the Core i7-11700T has a TDP of 35 W. The Core i7 is rated for significantly lower power consumption.

Q: Which processor is still in production?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2336 is listed as active in production. The Intel Core i7-11700T is end-of-life.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark data shows a complete sweep for the Intel Xeon E-2336. Across six Cinebench tests, the Xeon wins every one, and the margins are tight and consistent.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Xeon scores 1388 and the Core i7 scores 1304, a 6.4% delta. In R15 singlecore, the Xeon posts 195 against 184, a 6% delta. Moving to Cinebench R20, the Xeon leads 5786 to 5436 in multicore, again 6.4%. In R20 singlecore, the Xeon scores 816 versus 767, another 6.4% delta.

Cinebench R23 multicore shows 13777 for the Xeon and 12945 for the Core i7, a 6.4% gap. The singlecore R23 test is the largest margin: the Xeon hits 1945, the Core i7 hits 1827, and the delta is 6.5%. The pattern is unmistakable: the Xeon E-2336 is faster in every recorded compute benchmark, but the difference is modest, hovering just above 6%.

The Core i7-11700T does have additional benchmark data in the database, including Geekbench multicore at 6621 and singlecore at 1824, but the Xeon has no Geekbench results recorded. The head-to-head comparisons are limited to Cinebench, and the Xeon wins all of them. The average benchmark scores tell the same story: 3985 for the Xeon against 3864 for the Core i7. The Xeon’s nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon D-2733NT at 3984, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650G at 3977, and the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5875U at 3971. The Core i7’s nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2718 at 3875 and the AMD Ryzen 5 4600GE at 3906.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The Xeon E-2336 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Core i7-11700T has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Xeon’s base clock is 2.90 GHz and its boost clock is 4.80 GHz. The Core i7’s base clock is listed as 1400.00 MHz, which converts to 1.40 GHz, and its boost clock is 4.60 GHz. The Xeon has a 65 W TDP; the Core i7 has a 35 W TDP.

L3 cache differs: the Xeon has 12 MB shared, the Core i7 has 16 MB shared. Both share the same L1 and L2 cache structure of 80 KB and 512 KB per core. The Xeon supports ECC memory; the Core i7 does not. The Xeon has no integrated graphics; the Core i7 includes UHD Graphics 750. Memory support is identical: both use DDR4 in dual-channel mode with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. PCIe is also identical: Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU.

The Xeon is a server and workstation part, released on September 7, 2021, with a launch MSRP of $284. The Core i7 is a desktop part, released on March 15, 2021, with a launch MSRP of $323. The Xeon is still active; the Core i7 is end-of-life. Both are locked processors with no unlocked multiplier. The Xeon’s part number is SRKN5, and the Core i7’s is SRKNT. Both use the same Intel Socket 1200. The Xeon’s generation is listed as Xeon E (Rocket Lake-E), while the Core i7’s is Core i7 (Rocket Lake-S). Both are built on Intel’s 14 nm process with a 276 mm² die size.