Intel Core i7-3720QM vs Intel Xeon E-2104G Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads, the Intel Core i7-3720QM or the Intel Xeon E-2104G?

A: The Intel Core i7-3720QM has 8 threads from its 4 cores, while the Intel Xeon E-2104G has 4 threads from its 4 cores. The i7-3720QM supports Hyper-Threading, the Xeon E-2104G does not.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for these two CPUs?

A: The Intel Core i7-3720QM has an average benchmark score of 1421, while the Intel Xeon E-2104G has an average score of 1402. Both sit at the 37th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Q: How does the Xeon E-2104G compare to the Core i7-3720QM in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test?

A: The Xeon E-2104G scores 4847 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 2.7% higher than the Core i7-3720QM's 4718. This is the smallest percentage gap between the two in any benchmark listed.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon E-2104G support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon E-2104G supports ECC memory and has a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s with DDR4 support. The Core i7-3720QM does not support ECC memory, and its memory support details are not recorded in the database.

Q: What is the difference in process node between these two processors?

A: The Core i7-3720QM uses a 22 nm process with 1,400 million transistors on a 160 mm² die, while the Xeon E-2104G uses a 14 nm process with a 126 mm² die size (transistor count not recorded). The Xeon E-2104G is built on the newer Coffee Lake architecture.

Q: Which CPU has a higher base clock speed?

A: The Xeon E-2104G has a base clock of 3.20 GHz, which is higher than the Core i7-3720QM's 2.60 GHz. However, the Core i7-3720QM has a boost clock of 3.60 GHz, while the Xeon E-2104G has no boost clock listed.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture: the Intel Xeon E-2104G wins every head-to-head benchmark in the database, taking all 6 recorded victories. The Core i7-3720QM does not win a single test. However, the margins are consistently narrow, ranging from 2.6% to 2.9% in favor of the Xeon E-2104G across all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 runs, both single-core and multi-core.

For a user prioritizing raw per-core performance, the Xeon E-2104G is the choice. Its base clock of 3.20 GHz versus 2.60 GHz on the i7-3720QM gives it a structural advantage in single-threaded workloads, and the benchmark data confirms this with wins in all three single-core tests. Its server/workstation positioning, ECC memory support, and DDR4 compatibility make it suitable for reliability-focused builds, though it is marked as end-of-life.

The Core i7-3720QM, despite its lower scores, offers 8 threads versus 4, which means it can handle more concurrent software threads. Its 45 W TDP is lower than the Xeon's 65 W, and it uses the mobile BGA 1224 socket, indicating a laptop-oriented design. Users with multi-threaded mobile workloads might prefer it, but the benchmark scores show the Xeon still edges ahead even in multi-core tests.

The near-identical average scores (1421 vs 1402) and the 37th percentile placement for both suggest these are closely matched processors in overall capability. The Xeon E-2104G is the winner for those who want the best benchmark performance and ECC support. The Core i7-3720QM is the pick for mobile platforms, lower power draw, and higher thread counts, accepting a small performance penalty.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Xeon E-2104G's dominance is consistent but modest. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 488 against 475 for the i7-3720QM, a 2.7% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows 68 versus 66, a 2.9% gap. Moving to Cinebench R20, the Xeon leads 2035 to 1981 in multi-core (2.7%) and 287 to 279 in single-core (2.8%). The R23 results follow the same pattern: 4847 versus 4718 for multi-core (2.7%) and 684 versus 666 for single-core (2.6%).

The most striking aspect is the uniformity of the deltas. Every test falls within a 2.6% to 2.9% range, regardless of whether the workload is single-threaded or multi-threaded. This suggests the Xeon's advantage comes from its higher base clock and newer architecture, not from any specific workload characteristic. The i7-3720QM's extra threads do not close the gap in multi-core tests, likely because the Xeon's 3.20 GHz clock offset the thread count disadvantage.

Geekbench results are only available for the Core i7-3720QM, with a multi-core score of 2457 and a single-core score of 726. The Xeon E-2104G has no Geekbench records in the database, so no direct comparison is possible there.

The average benchmark scores tell a slightly different story. The i7-3720QM's average of 1421 is actually 0.1% higher than its nearest rival, the Intel Xeon Bronze 3106, while the Xeon E-2104G's 1402 is 0.1% above the Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5. The Xeon E-2104G's nearest rivals include the Intel Pentium Gold G7400TE (delta 0.2% below) and the Intel Core i5-6500TE (delta 0.2% above). The i7-3720QM's rivals include the AMD Opteron 4274 HE and Intel Core i7-2700K, showing both CPUs sit in a crowded performance tier.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several fundamental specifications. The Core i7-3720QM has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Xeon E-2104G has 4 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks differ: 2.60 GHz for the i7-3720QM versus 3.20 GHz for the Xeon E-2104G. The i7-3720QM has a boost clock of 3.60 GHz; the Xeon E-2104G has no boost clock recorded.

Thermal design power differs significantly: the i7-3720QM draws 45 W, while the Xeon E-2104G draws 65 W. Sockets are incompatible: the i7-3720QM uses Intel BGA 1224, and the Xeon E-2104G uses Intel Socket 1151.

Cache configurations differ in L3 size. The i7-3720QM has 6 MB shared L3 cache, while the Xeon E-2104G has 8 MB shared L3. Both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core.

The Xeon E-2104G supports DDR4 memory with a recorded bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s and ECC memory. The i7-3720QM's memory support is not recorded, though it has a dual-channel memory bus. The Xeon E-2104G also has PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-3720QM has no PCIe information listed.

Integrated graphics differ: the i7-3720QM has Intel HD 4000, while the Xeon E-2104G has UHD Graphics P630. The i7-3720QM is a mobile part, and the Xeon E-2104G is a server/workstation part. The Xeon E-2104G has a launch MSRP of $193. The i7-3720QM has no launch MSRP recorded.

Architecture Differences

The Core i7-3720QM is built on Ivy Bridge architecture with a 22 nm process node, containing 1,400 million transistors on a 160 mm² die. The Xeon E-2104G uses Coffee Lake architecture (specifically Coffee Lake-S WS) on a 14 nm process with a 126 mm² die size and no transistor count recorded. Both are manufactured by Intel.

The i7-3720QM belongs to the Core i7 generation, and the Xeon E-2104G belongs to the Xeon E-2100 series. The i7-3720QM has no boost clock limitation, but the Xeon E-2104G operates without a boost clock, relying entirely on its 3.20 GHz base frequency. The Xeon E-2104G is marked as end-of-life, while the i7-3720QM's production status is not recorded.

Architecturally, the newer 14 nm Coffee Lake process on the Xeon E-2104G provides a denser and more efficient design than the 22 nm Ivy Bridge process on the i7-3720QM. The Xeon's larger 8 MB L3 cache versus 6 MB on the i7-3720QM supports its performance edge. The i7-3720QM's Hyper-Threading capability is its main architectural counterpoint, allowing it to process 8 threads simultaneously against the Xeon's 4.

The Xeon E-2104G's ECC memory support and DDR4 compatibility point to a workstation-oriented design, whereas the i7-3720QM's mobile socket and lower TDP indicate a laptop-focused architecture. The Xeon's PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes is a feature absent from the i7-3720QM's recorded data, reinforcing its workstation positioning.

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon E-2104G wins in every recorded benchmark: all six Cinebench tests across R15, R20, and R23, both single-core and multi-core. Its wins are narrow but universal, with deltas between 2.6% and 2.9%. This makes it the pick for any workload that relies on the Cinebench rendering suite, whether single-threaded tasks like legacy application compatibility or multi-threaded rendering jobs. Its ECC memory support and DDR4 bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s make it suitable for workstation tasks requiring data integrity, such as financial modeling or scientific computing. The 8 MB L3 cache and 3.20 GHz base clock favor sustained throughput in server-style workloads.

The Core i7-3720QM wins in areas not directly measured by the benchmark suite. Its 8 threads versus 4 give it a theoretical advantage in heavily threaded applications that can utilize more than four threads, even if the Cinebench multi-core results do not reflect this advantage. Its 45 W TDP makes it more power-efficient for mobile deployments, and its BGA 1224 socket means it belongs in laptops where the Xeon E-2104G's Socket 1151 desktop form factor cannot fit. The i7-3720QM's boost clock of 3.60 GHz provides short-duration performance bursts that the Xeon E-2104G lacks, potentially benefiting bursty workloads like application launches or intermittent compilation tasks. Its lower power draw and mobile design make it the better choice for portable systems, while the Xeon E-2104G is the better choice for stationary, reliability-focused systems.