Intel Core i7-3740QM vs Intel Xeon E-2104G Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents an unusually tight contest between the Intel Xeon E-2104G and the Intel Core i7-3740QM. Across six Cinebench workloads, the Core i7-3740QM wins every single test, but the margins are almost negligible. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-3740QM scores 489 against the Xeon’s 488, a delta of -0.2%. The single-core R15 result is 69 versus 68, a 1.4% gap, which is the largest relative difference in the entire comparison. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multicore scores are 2040 for the i7 and 2035 for the Xeon, again a -0.2% delta, while single-core is 288 against 287, a -0.3% margin. The pattern holds in Cinebench R23: multicore sees 4859 versus 4847 (-0.2%), and single-core sees 686 versus 684 (-0.3%).

These deltas are within run-to-run variance for most benchmark suites. The data shows a consistent, if narrow, advantage for the mobile Core i7 part, but the practical takeaway is that the two processors are effectively tied in raw throughput. The Xeon E-2104G’s average benchmark score of 1402 places it at the 37th percentile of all CPUs, while the i7-3740QM’s average of 1378 sits at the 36th percentile. The 24-point difference in average scores is less than 2% of either value. Notably, the Xeon’s nearest rival in the database, the Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5, has an average score of 1401, a 0.1% delta, while the i7-3740QM’s closest competitor, the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200, matches it exactly at 1379 with a 0.0% delta. Both processors are clustered with mid-range desktop and mobile chips from several generations ago.

The only test where the i7-3740QM shows a non-trivial lead is Cinebench R15 single-core, where the 1.4% advantage translates to one point. In every other workload, the difference is one to five points out of hundreds. This suggests that IPC improvements in the newer Coffee Lake architecture are almost perfectly counterbalanced by the older Ivy Bridge chip’s higher boost clock. The Xeon E-2104G has a base clock of 3.20 GHz with no listed boost, while the i7-3740QM runs at 2.70 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost. The older part’s ability to reach 3.70 GHz on a single core likely explains its slight edge in single-threaded tests, though the margin is too small to be decisive.

Where Each One Wins

Benchmark results indicate a clean sweep for the Intel Core i7-3740QM across all six head-to-head tests. However, the win categories are narrow enough that the Xeon E-2104G should not be dismissed in any workload. The largest advantage for the i7-3740QM appears in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it leads by 1.4%. This is the only test where the delta exceeds 1%, suggesting that the i7’s boost clock of 3.70 GHz provides a meaningful, albeit small, single-thread advantage over the Xeon’s fixed 3.20 GHz.

For multithreaded workloads, the i7-3740QM’s 8 threads (4 cores, 8 threads) versus the Xeon’s 4 threads (4 cores, 4 threads) would normally predict a larger gap. Yet the multicore deltas are only -0.2% across R15, R20, and R23. The Xeon E-2104G compensates for its lack of Hyper-Threading with a higher base clock and a newer architecture. Coffee Lake’s improved execution resources nearly offset the i7’s thread count advantage. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the i7 scores 4859 against 4847, a 12-point lead that is within noise. This means the Xeon is competitive in heavily threaded renders, despite having half the logical threads.

The use-case split is therefore not about raw performance but about platform suitability. The Xeon E-2104G is a server/workstation part with ECC memory support, DDR4 memory, and a 65 W TDP. The i7-3740QM is a mobile part with a 45 W TDP, Intel HD 4000 graphics, and no ECC support. For workloads that require error-correcting memory, the Xeon is the only choice. For power-constrained mobile systems, the i7’s lower TDP and integrated graphics make it the practical option. In pure compute, the data shows a statistical tie, with the i7 holding a slight edge in single-core and the Xeon matching it in multi-core due to architectural efficiency.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and design philosophies. The Intel Xeon E-2104G is built on the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake-S WS variant, using a 14 nm process node. It has 4 cores and 4 threads, with a base clock of 3.20 GHz and no boost clock listed. The die size is 126 mm². The Intel Core i7-3740QM uses the Ivy Bridge architecture on a 22 nm process, with 4 cores and 8 threads, a 2.70 GHz base clock, and a 3.70 GHz boost clock. Its die size is 160 mm², and it contains 1,400 million transistors. The newer 14 nm process gives the Xeon a smaller die despite similar core counts, reflecting improved density and power efficiency.

Cache hierarchies are similar in per-core allocation but differ in total L3. Both have 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core. The Xeon E-2104G has 8 MB of shared L3, while the i7-3740QM has 6 MB of shared L3. The 2 MB difference in L3 is modest but can matter in cache-sensitive workloads. The Xeon’s memory system supports DDR4 with dual-channel bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s and ECC memory. The i7-3740QM supports dual-channel memory but the database does not list its memory type or bandwidth, and it lacks ECC support. The Xeon also lists PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the i7 has no PCIe data recorded.

Integrated graphics differ significantly. The Xeon E-2104G includes UHD Graphics P630, a workstation-oriented GPU. The i7-3740QM includes Intel HD 4000, a much older integrated solution from the Ivy Bridge generation. For tasks relying on the iGPU, the Xeon’s newer graphics core is likely more capable, though the database does not provide graphics benchmarks. The socket and platform are entirely different: the Xeon uses Intel Socket 1151, while the i7 uses Intel BGA 1224, a soldered mobile package. This means the two are not interchangeable in any system, and the choice is dictated by the motherboard or laptop design. The Xeon is marked as end-of-life with a release date of July 2018, while the i7 was released in September 2012. The Xeon’s launch MSRP is $193, but the i7 has no recorded launch price.

FAQ

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

A: The Core i7-3740QM wins all single-core tests, but by tiny margins. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 69 versus 68 for the Xeon E-2104G, a 1.4% lead. In R20, it scores 288 versus 287, and in R23, 686 versus 684, both -0.3% deltas.

Q: How do the two compare in multithreaded performance?

A: The i7-3740QM wins every multicore test, but the differences are minimal. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 489 against 488. In R20, 2040 versus 2035. In R23, 4859 versus 4847. All deltas are -0.2%, meaning the Xeon’s 4 threads are nearly as fast as the i7’s 8 threads in these workloads.

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

A: Yes, the Xeon E-2104G has ECC memory support. The Core i7-3740QM does not support ECC memory. This is a key differentiator for server or workstation applications where data integrity is critical.

Q: What are the TDP differences between the two?

A: The Xeon E-2104G has a TDP of 65 W, while the Core i7-3740QM has a TDP of 45 W. The i7 is a mobile part designed for lower power consumption, whereas the Xeon is a workstation/server chip with a higher thermal envelope.

Q: Which processor has more cache?

A: The Xeon E-2104G has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Core i7-3740QM has 6 MB. Both have the same per-core L1 (64 KB) and L2 (256 KB) allocations.

Q: Are these processors interchangeable in a system?

A: No. The Xeon E-2104G uses Intel Socket 1151, while the Core i7-3740QM uses Intel BGA 1224, a soldered mobile package. They are not compatible with the same motherboards or laptops.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the Intel Xeon E-2104G and the Intel Core i7-3740QM:

• Threads: Xeon E-2104G has 4 threads; Core i7-3740QM has 8 threads.
• Base Clock: Xeon E-2104G runs at 3.20 GHz; Core i7-3740QM runs at 2.70 GHz.
• Boost Clock: Xeon E-2104G has no boost clock; Core i7-3740QM boosts to 3.70 GHz.
• TDP: Xeon E-2104G is rated at 65 W; Core i7-3740QM is rated at 45 W.
• Socket: Xeon E-2104G uses Intel Socket 1151; Core i7-3740QM uses Intel BGA 1224.
• Architecture: Xeon E-2104G is Coffee Lake; Core i7-3740QM is Ivy Bridge.
• Process Node: Xeon E-2104G is 14 nm; Core i7-3740QM is 22 nm.
• Die Size: Xeon E-2104G measures 126 mm²; Core i7-3740QM measures 160 mm².
• Transistors: Xeon E-2104G has no listed transistor count; Core i7-3740QM has 1,400 million.
• L3 Cache: Xeon E-2104G has 8 MB shared; Core i7-3740QM has 6 MB shared.
• Memory Support: Xeon E-2104G supports DDR4; Core i7-3740QM has no listed memory type.
• Memory Bandwidth: Xeon E-2104G is rated at 42.7 GB/s; Core i7-3740QM has no listed bandwidth.
• ECC Memory: Xeon E-2104G supports ECC; Core i7-3740QM does not.
• PCIe: Xeon E-2104G has Gen 3, 16 lanes (CPU only); Core i7-3740QM has no listed PCIe data.
• Integrated Graphics: Xeon E-2104G has UHD Graphics P630; Core i7-3740QM has Intel HD 4000.
• Market Segment: Xeon E-2104G is Server/Workstation; Core i7-3740QM is Mobile.
• Release Date: Xeon E-2104G released in July 2018; Core i7-3740QM released in September 2012.
• Launch MSRP: Xeon E-2104G has a launch MSRP of $193; Core i7-3740QM has no recorded launch MSRP.
• Average Benchmark Score: Xeon E-2104G averages 1402; Core i7-3740QM averages 1378.
• Percentile: Xeon E-2104G is at the 37th percentile; Core i7-3740QM is at the 36th percentile.