Intel Core i7-2700K vs Intel Xeon E-2104G Comparison

The Intel Core i7-2700K and Intel Xeon E-2104G are both 4-core Intel processors, but they come from different eras and market segments. The i7-2700K is a Sandy Bridge desktop part from 2011, while the Xeon E-2104G is a Coffee Lake workstation and server part from 2018. Head-to-head Cinebench results show the Xeon winning 5 of 6 tests, though by margins under half a percent. Both sit at the 37th percentile of all CPUs in the database, with average benchmark scores of 1419 and 1402 respectively.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data covers six Cinebench tests, and the Xeon E-2104G takes five of them. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-2700K scores 486 while the Xeon scores 488, a delta of -0.4% in favor of the Xeon. The single-core R15 test is a tie at 68 points, with the i7-2700K listed as the winner due to a delta of 0. Moving to Cinebench R20, the Xeon leads again: multi-core 2035 versus 2029 (-0.3%), and single-core 287 versus 286 (-0.3%). Cinebench R23 repeats the pattern: multi-core 4847 versus 4833 (-0.3%), and single-core 684 versus 682 (-0.3%). The Xeon wins every multi-core test despite having only 4 threads against the i7-2700K's 8 threads. This indicates that the Xeon's per-thread performance is substantially higher, enough to overcome the thread count disadvantage. The i7-2700K does have a higher base clock (3.50 GHz versus 3.20 GHz) and a boost clock (3.90 GHz) that the Xeon lacks, yet the Xeon still edges ahead in all but one test. The margins are small, but they are consistent across three generations of Cinebench.

The i7-2700K also has Geekbench scores in the database: 2294 multi-core and 672 single-core. The Xeon E-2104G has no Geekbench results, so no direct comparison is possible there. However, the Cinebench data alone shows a clear, if narrow, advantage for the Xeon.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the head-to-head results, the Xeon E-2104G wins in five of six tests: all multi-core tests and all single-core tests except the R15 tie. The i7-2700K's only "win" is that tie, which is not a meaningful advantage. In rendering workloads that Cinebench represents, the Xeon is the better performer. The i7-2700K does have a thread advantage (8 versus 4), which could benefit applications that scale beyond 4 threads, but the benchmark data shows that the Xeon still wins multi-core tests, so the thread advantage does not translate to a win in these specific workloads. The i7-2700K also has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, but that is a feature, not a benchmark result. The Xeon supports ECC memory, which is a reliability feature for servers and workstations, and it has a lower TDP (65 W versus 95 W). For users who prioritize out-of-the-box Cinebench performance, the Xeon is the clear choice. For users who plan to overclock, the i7-2700K is the only option with an unlocked multiplier. For server or workstation deployments that require ECC, the Xeon is the only option.

The Verdict

The data shows that the Intel Xeon E-2104G is the faster processor in the tested Cinebench scenarios, winning 5 of 6 head-to-head tests. The margins are small, but they are consistent across R15, R20, and R23. The i7-2700K's only win is a tie in R15 single-core. The i7-2700K does have a higher base clock, a boost clock, and more threads, but the Xeon's newer architecture compensates for these disadvantages. The Xeon also has a lower TDP, supports ECC memory, and uses DDR4 with a higher memory bandwidth (42.7 GB/s versus 21.3 GB/s). The i7-2700K has an unlocked multiplier, which is a significant feature for overclocking, but that is not reflected in the benchmark scores. Therefore, for users who prioritize out-of-the-box performance in Cinebench, the Xeon E-2104G is the better choice. For users who plan to overclock, the i7-2700K offers that capability. Both processors sit at the 37th percentile of all CPUs, meaning they are comparable to many other mid-range parts. The average benchmark scores are close: 1419 for the i7-2700K and 1402 for the Xeon, a difference of 17 points, or about 1.2%. The nearest rivals for the i7-2700K include the AMD Opteron 4274 HE (1420) and the Intel Core i7-3720QM (1421), while the Xeon's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 (1401) and the Intel Pentium Gold G7400TE (1404). These comparisons reinforce that both CPUs are in the same performance tier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-2700K has 8 threads, while the Intel Xeon E-2104G has 4 threads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2104G supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i7-2700K does not.

Q: What are the base clock speeds?

A: The i7-2700K has a base clock of 3.50 GHz, and the Xeon E-2104G has a base clock of 3.20 GHz.

Q: Which processor has a higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Xeon E-2104G has a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, compared to 21.3 GB/s for the i7-2700K.

Q: Which processor has an unlocked multiplier?

A: The i7-2700K has an unlocked multiplier, while the Xeon E-2104G is locked.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores?

A: The i7-2700K has an average benchmark score of 1419, and the Xeon E-2104G has 1402.

Architecture Differences

The two processors differ fundamentally in architecture. The i7-2700K is built on Sandy Bridge, a 32 nm process, while the Xeon E-2104G uses Coffee Lake, a 14 nm process. The i7-2700K has 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die, whereas the Xeon's transistor count is not listed, but its die size is 126 mm². Both have 4 cores and the same cache layout: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. The i7-2700K supports DDR3 memory in dual-channel mode with a bandwidth of 21.3 GB/s, while the Xeon supports DDR4 with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, which the i7-2700K does not. PCIe connectivity differs: the i7-2700K has Gen 2 with 16 lanes, while the Xeon has Gen 3 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics are present on both: Intel HD 3000 on the i7-2700K and UHD Graphics P630 on the Xeon. The sockets are different (1155 versus 1151), and the market segments differ (Desktop versus Server/Workstation). The i7-2700K has a boost clock of 3.90 GHz, while the Xeon has no boost clock. The i7-2700K has an unlocked multiplier, while the Xeon is locked. The i7-2700K was released in 2011, and the Xeon in 2018.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the two processors:

• Threads: 8 (i7-2700K) versus 4 (Xeon E-2104G)
• Base Clock: 3.50 GHz versus 3.20 GHz
• Boost Clock: 3.90 GHz versus none
• TDP: 95 W versus 65 W
• Socket: Intel Socket 1155 versus Intel Socket 1151
• Architecture: Sandy Bridge versus Coffee Lake
• Process Node: 32 nm versus 14 nm
• Transistors: 1,160 million versus not listed
• Die Size: 216 mm² versus 126 mm²
• Memory Support: DDR3 versus DDR4
• Memory Bandwidth: 21.3 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s
• ECC Memory: false versus true
• PCIe: Gen 2, 16 Lanes versus Gen 3, 16 Lanes
• Integrated Graphics: Intel HD 3000 versus UHD Graphics P630
• Market Segment: Desktop versus Server/Workstation
• Release Date: 2011-10-23 versus 2018-07-11
• Launch MSRP: $332 versus $193
• Multiplier Unlocked: true versus false
• Part Number: SR0DG versus SR3WV

These differences highlight the generational gap: the Xeon brings a newer process, faster memory, ECC support, and a lower power envelope, while the i7-2700K retains the advantages of an unlocked multiplier and a higher base clock. The benchmark data, however, shows that the Xeon's architectural improvements translate into slightly better Cinebench scores across the board.