Intel Core i7-1185G7 vs Intel Xeon Gold 6342 Comparison

Intel Core i7-1185G7 and Intel Xeon Gold 6342 are both 10nm Intel parts, but they occupy opposite ends of the computing spectrum. The data shows a mobile Tiger Lake-U chip with 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6342 is a server-grade Ice Lake-SP part with 24 cores and 48 threads. The benchmark results are lopsided, with the Xeon Gold 6342 winning all six head-to-head comparisons, yet the average benchmark scores tell a more nuanced story about where each chip excels.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Xeon Gold 6342 dominates every Cinebench test in the head-to-head data. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Xeon scores 40014 against the i7-1185G7’s 8416, a delta of -79%. The same -79% delta appears in Cinebench R20 multi-core (16805 vs 3534) and Cinebench R15 multi-core (4033 vs 848). These are not marginal gaps; they represent roughly a 4.75x advantage for the Xeon in sustained multi-threaded rendering workloads.

Single-core results are equally one-sided. The Xeon Gold 6342 posts 5649 in Cinebench R23 single-core versus 1188 for the i7-1185G7, again a -79% delta. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 569 vs 119, and Cinebench R20 single-core shows 2372 vs 498. The Xeon wins all six head-to-head tests, but the consistent ~79% delta across both single and multi-threaded tests is striking — it suggests the Xeon’s higher boost clock efficiency and architectural maturity overcome the i7’s higher 4.80 GHz boost clock.

However, the broader benchmark picture reveals a different story. The i7-1185G7’s average benchmark score is 11697, while the Xeon Gold 6342 sits at 11574, a 1.1% advantage for the i7. This is because the i7 has a much wider set of benchmarks in the data, including PassMark tests where it posts strong scores: 2778 in single-thread, 20126 in floating point math, and 34211 in integer math. The Xeon Gold 6342 only has Cinebench results in the pack, which skews its average downward relative to its peak capabilities.

Architecture Differences

The architectural split is fundamental. The i7-1185G7 uses the Tiger Lake-U architecture (Willow Cove-U cores) on a 10nm process, while the Xeon Gold 6342 uses Ice Lake-SP (Ice Lake-SP generation) also on 10nm. Both are Intel foundry parts, but the die sizes differ: the i7 measures 144 mm², while the Xeon’s die size is not listed. The i7’s cache layout is per-core with 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core, plus 12 MB shared L3. The Xeon’s per-core cache is smaller — 64 KB L1 and 1 MB L2 — but its shared L3 is 36 MB, three times larger than the i7’s.

Memory support diverges sharply. The i7 supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X over a dual-channel bus with no ECC. The Xeon supports DDR4 over an eight-channel bus with a listed memory bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s and ECC memory enabled. PCIe lanes also differ hugely: the i7 provides Gen 4 with 4 lanes (CPU only), while the Xeon provides Gen 4 with 64 lanes. The i7 has integrated Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 96EU; the Xeon has no integrated graphics. The i7’s TDP is 28W versus the Xeon’s 230W, and the i7 uses Intel BGA 1449 while the Xeon uses Intel Socket 4189.

The release timeline shows the i7 launched on 2020-09-01 and is end-of-life, while the Xeon launched on 2021-04-05 and remains active. The i7’s launch MSRP is $426; the Xeon has no launch MSRP listed.

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon Gold 6342 wins decisively in any workload that scales with core count or memory bandwidth. Its 24 cores and 48 threads produce Cinebench scores roughly 4.75x higher than the i7’s 4 cores and 8 threads. For rendering, scientific computing, or virtualized server workloads, the Xeon’s 36 MB L3 cache and 204.8 GB/s memory bandwidth are clear advantages. The eight-channel memory bus alone makes it a different class of machine for data-heavy tasks.

The i7-1185G7 wins in the areas not covered by the head-to-head tests. Its PassMark results show strong single-thread performance (2778), which aligns with its 4.80 GHz boost clock versus the Xeon’s 3.50 GHz. The i7 also excels in power-sensitive mobile environments — its 28W TDP makes it suitable for laptops, while the Xeon’s 230W TDP requires a server platform. The i7’s integrated graphics mean it can run entirely without a discrete GPU, which is impossible for the Xeon.

The average benchmark scores reinforce this split: the i7’s 11697 average beats the Xeon’s 11574 by 1.1%, largely because the i7 has a broader benchmark suite including integer math (34211), floating point math (20126), and data compression (104630) scores. The Xeon’s Cinebench-only data understates its real-world server capability, but within the data provided, the i7 holds the edge in aggregate scoring.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ on nearly every specification field. Core count is 4 vs 24, threads 8 vs 48. Base clock is 3.00 GHz for the i7 versus 2.80 GHz for the Xeon, but boost clock reverses: 4.80 GHz for the i7 versus 3.50 GHz for the Xeon. TDP is 28W vs 230W. Sockets are entirely different (BGA 1449 vs Socket 4189). Architecture is Tiger Lake-U vs Ice Lake-SP. Cache sizes differ: L1 per core 80 KB vs 64 KB, L2 per core 1.25 MB vs 1 MB, L3 shared 12 MB vs 36 MB.

Memory support shows DDR4/LPDDR4X dual-channel for the i7 versus DDR4 eight-channel for the Xeon, with only the Xeon listing memory bandwidth (204.8 GB/s). ECC memory is false for the i7 and true for the Xeon. PCIe lanes are 4 vs 64, both Gen 4. Integrated graphics exist only on the i7 (Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 96EU). Market segments are Mobile vs Server/Workstation. Production status is End-of-life vs Active. Release dates differ by roughly seven months. The i7 has a listed launch MSRP of $426; the Xeon has none. Both have locked multipliers.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-core Cinebench tests?

A: The Intel Xeon Gold 6342 wins all multi-core tests by a -79% delta. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 40014 versus 8416 for the i7-1185G7.

Q: Does the i7-1185G7 win any head-to-head benchmarks?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows the Xeon Gold 6342 winning all six tests, including both single-core and multi-core Cinebench variants.

Q: Why does the i7-1185G7 have a higher average benchmark score?

A: The i7’s average score is 11697 versus 11574 for the Xeon, a 1.1% difference. This is because the i7’s benchmark set includes many PassMark tests (e.g., integer math at 34211, floating point at 20126) while the Xeon only has Cinebench scores in the data.

Q: Can the Xeon Gold 6342 use ECC memory?

A: Yes. The Xeon supports ECC memory, while the i7-1185G7 does not.

Q: What is the TDP difference between these two CPUs?

A: The i7-1185G7 has a 28W TDP, while the Xeon Gold 6342 has a 230W TDP. This makes the i7 suitable for mobile devices and the Xeon for server platforms.

Q: Which CPU has integrated graphics?

A: Only the i7-1185G7 has integrated graphics (Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 96EU). The Xeon Gold 6342 has no integrated graphics listed.

The Verdict

The data points to two completely different purchasing decisions. The Xeon Gold 6342 is the clear choice for anyone building a server or workstation where multi-threaded throughput is paramount. Its 24 cores, 48 threads, 36 MB L3 cache, and eight-channel memory with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth are all server-class features. The Cinebench scores — 40014 in R23 multi-core, 16805 in R20 multi-core — are roughly 4.75x the i7’s results. If your workload is rendering, virtualization, or data processing, the Xeon is the only rational option despite its 230W TDP and absence of integrated graphics.

The i7-1185G7 is the right pick for a mobile or compact system where power efficiency and single-thread responsiveness matter more than core counts. Its 28W TDP, integrated Iris Xe graphics, and 4.80 GHz boost clock make it a capable laptop or ultra-compact PC processor. The benchmark data shows it holds its own in aggregate scoring (11697 average vs 11574 for the Xeon), driven by strong PassMark results in integer math (34211) and floating point math (20126). However, the i7 is end-of-life, so new builds should account for that status.

The nearest rival data adds context. The i7-1185G7’s closest competitor is the Intel Core i7-4790K, which scores 11745 (a -0.4% delta), while the Xeon Gold 6342’s nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 at 11469 (a 0.9% delta). Both CPUs sit at the 67th percentile of all CPUs, meaning they perform similarly in aggregate despite their architectural differences. Choose the Xeon for raw parallel compute and server features; choose the i7 for mobility and integrated graphics. There is no wrong answer — only the wrong tool for the job.