Intel Core i7-3740QM vs Intel Xeon W-2104 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between the Intel Xeon W-2104 and the Intel Core i7-3740QM is decisively one-sided. Across all six recorded Cinebench tests, the Core i7-3740QM takes the win. The Xeon W-2104 does not register a single victory in the head-to-head results. The margins are consistent, with the mobile processor leading by roughly 3.9% to 4.3% depending on the test. This is a narrow but uniform advantage, indicating that the Core i7-3740QM is the stronger performer in every measured workload.

In Cinebench R15, the multicore test shows the Core i7-3740QM scoring 489 against the Xeon W-2104's 470, a delta of -3.9% from the Xeon's perspective. The single-core result is similar: 69 versus 66, a -4.3% gap. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multicore scores are 2040 for the Core i7 and 1960 for the Xeon, again a -3.9% difference. The single-core R20 test sees 288 versus 276, a -4.2% margin. In Cinebench R23, the multicore score is 4859 for the Core i7 against 4669 for the Xeon, and the single-core score is 686 versus 659. Both R23 results show a -3.9% delta.

The pattern is clear: the Core i7-3740QM outperforms the Xeon W-2104 by a small but consistent percentage across all Cinebench iterations. The average benchmark score in the database reinforces this, with the Core i7-3740QM at 1378 and the Xeon W-2104 at 1350. Neither processor stands far from its nearest rivals. The Xeon W-2104 sits within 0.8% of the Intel Core i5-4590T and within 0.5% of the Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3. The Core i7-3740QM is effectively tied with the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200, showing a delta of 0%, and trails the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U by just 0.1%. These standings place both CPUs at the 36th percentile of all processors in the database, meaning they sit in the lower-middle tier of overall performance.

Where Each One Wins

The data shows that the Intel Core i7-3740QM wins in every benchmark category present in the head-to-head comparison. That includes both single-core and multi-core tests across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. The consistency of these wins suggests that the Core i7-3740QM is the better choice for tasks that rely on raw CPU throughput, whether those tasks are lightly threaded or heavily threaded. The single-core advantage of roughly 4% is notable for applications that depend on per-thread performance, while the multi-core edge of about 3.9% indicates that the extra threads available on the Core i7-3740QM contribute to a measurable, if modest, lead in parallel workloads.

For the Intel Xeon W-2104, there is no benchmark category where it comes out ahead. However, its strengths lie elsewhere. The Xeon supports ECC memory, which the Core i7-3740QM does not. It also uses a quad-channel memory bus with a recorded bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s, whereas the Core i7-3740QM uses a dual-channel bus with no bandwidth figure recorded in the database. The Xeon offers 48 PCIe lanes (Gen 3) from the CPU, while the Core i7-3740QM has no PCIe lane count listed. The Xeon also has a larger L3 cache at 8.25 MB shared, compared to 6 MB shared on the Core i7. For workstation or server tasks that rely on memory bandwidth, ECC reliability, or extensive PCIe connectivity, the Xeon W-2104 is the more suitable part despite its benchmark deficit.

The Core i7-3740QM, for its part, includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 4000), which the Xeon lacks entirely. That makes the mobile chip a more self-contained solution for systems without a discrete GPU. The Core i7 also has a higher boost clock of 3.70 GHz, while the Xeon has no boost clock listed. Even with a lower base clock of 2.70 GHz versus the Xeon's 3.20 GHz, the Core i7 manages to outscore the Xeon in every test, likely due to its ability to reach higher clocks under load and its additional threads.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras and target different market segments. The Intel Xeon W-2104 is built on the Skylake-W architecture, using a 14 nm process node. It is a desktop or workstation part designed for the Intel Socket 2066 platform. Its die size is listed as 484 mm². The Intel Core i7-3740QM uses the older Ivy Bridge architecture on a 22 nm process node. It is a mobile processor on the Intel BGA 1224 socket. Its die size is 160 mm², and its transistor count is recorded as 1,400 million. The Xeon W-2104 does not have a transistor count listed, but the larger die and newer node suggest a different design philosophy focused on server-class features.

Core and thread counts differ as well. The Xeon W-2104 has 4 cores and 4 threads, meaning no hyper-threading. The Core i7-3740QM also has 4 cores but 8 threads, doubling the thread count. This explains part of the performance gap in multi-threaded tests. The cache hierarchy also varies. Both have 64 KB of L1 per core, but the L2 cache differs: the Xeon has 1 MB per core, while the Core i7 has 256 KB per core. The L3 cache is larger on the Xeon at 8.25 MB shared versus 6 MB shared on the Core i7.

Memory support is a major differentiator. The Xeon W-2104 supports DDR4 memory with a quad-channel bus and a recorded bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s. It also supports ECC memory. The Core i7-3740QM does not list a memory type, uses a dual-channel bus, and has no ECC support. The Xeon's memory bandwidth advantage is substantial, though it does not translate into a benchmark win in the Cinebench tests recorded. PCIe support also favors the Xeon, with 48 Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the Core i7 has no PCIe data listed.

Power and thermal envelopes differ sharply. The Xeon W-2104 has a TDP of 120 watts, while the Core i7-3740QM has a TDP of just 45 watts. This makes the Core i7 a far more power-efficient part, which is expected for a mobile processor. The Xeon's higher TDP reflects its workstation orientation, where power is less of a concern than sustained throughput and reliability features. The release dates also show a gap: the Xeon W-2104 was released on 2017-08-28, while the Core i7-3740QM came out on 2012-09-02. Despite the five-year difference in launch timing, the older Core i7 still outperforms the newer Xeon in the benchmark suite.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear winner for general compute performance: the Intel Core i7-3740QM. It wins all six head-to-head benchmarks, with margins ranging from -3.9% to -4.3% relative to the Xeon W-2104. Its average benchmark score of 1378 is higher than the Xeon's 1350. For anyone comparing these two purely on CPU workload results, the Core i7-3740QM is the better choice.

However, the Xeon W-2104 serves a different purpose. It is a server or workstation processor with ECC memory support, a quad-channel memory bus, and 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. Those features are not reflected in Cinebench scores but are critical for stability in memory-intensive or I/O-heavy environments. If the workload involves large data sets, virtualization, or tasks that benefit from error-correcting memory, the Xeon W-2104 is the appropriate pick despite losing every benchmark in this comparison.

The Core i7-3740QM, meanwhile, is a mobile chip with integrated graphics and a low 45 watt TDP. It is suitable for laptops or compact systems where power draw matters and a discrete GPU is not required. Its 8 threads give it a multi-threading advantage over the Xeon's 4 threads, and its higher boost clock of 3.70 GHz helps it win even the single-core tests.

In summary, the Core i7-3740QM is the faster CPU in every recorded test. The Xeon W-2104 is the more feature-rich platform for workstation reliability and expandability. The choice depends on whether the priority is raw benchmark performance or platform capabilities like ECC and memory bandwidth.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i7-3740QM scores 4859, while the Intel Xeon W-2104 scores 4669, giving the Core i7 a 3.9% lead.

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

A: Yes, the Xeon W-2104 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i7-3740QM does not.

Q: How do the thread counts compare between the two CPUs?

A: The Xeon W-2104 has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Core i7-3740QM has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two processors?

A: The Xeon W-2104 has a TDP of 120 watts, while the Core i7-3740QM has a TDP of 45 watts.

Q: Which CPU has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i7-3740QM includes Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics, while the Xeon W-2104 has no integrated graphics listed.

Q: Are both processors at the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both the Xeon W-2104 and the Core i7-3740QM sit at the 36th percentile of all CPUs in the database.