Intel Core i7-3770T vs Intel Xeon W-2104 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a consistent, though narrow, advantage for the Intel Xeon W-2104 across every recorded benchmark. The Core i7-3770T does not win a single test in the database comparison. The margin is small in each case, but it is uniform, which suggests a broad performance edge rather than a workload-specific quirk.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon W-2104 scores 470 against 464 for the i7-3770T, a delta of -1.3% from the perspective of the i7. The single-core R15 result follows the same pattern: 66 versus 65, a -1.5% gap. Moving to Cinebench R20, the Xeon posts 1960 in multi-core and 276 in single-core, while the i7 manages 1936 and 273, respectively. Those deltas are -1.2% and -1.1%. The R23 results continue the trend: 4669 versus 4611 in multi-core and 659 versus 651 in single-core, both at -1.2%.

The average benchmark score in the database tells a slightly wider story. The Xeon W-2104 sits at an average score of 1350, while the i7-3770T averages 1314. That puts the Xeon roughly 2.7% ahead in aggregate, a figure not present in any single head-to-head test but visible when all recorded benchmarks are considered together. The Xeon also ranks in the 36th percentile of all CPUs in the database, one point above the i7's 35th percentile.

For context on where these chips sit among their peers, the nearest rivals in the database are instructive. The i7-3770T's closest competitor is the AMD Athlon Gold 7220U with an average score of 1311, a delta of just 0.2%, essentially a statistical tie. The Intel Core i5-4570R sits at 1318, -0.3% relative to the i7, and both the Intel Celeron G6900E and G6900T come in at 1321, -0.5%. The Xeon W-2104, meanwhile, is nearly tied with the Intel Core i5-7400T at 1348 (0.1%), the Intel Core i5-4670 at 1347 (0.2%), and the Intel Core i5-4590T at 1340 (0.8%). Its closest rival below is the Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3 at 1357, a -0.5% delta. The Xeon's rival cluster sits consistently higher than the i7's, reinforcing that the Xeon occupies a slightly stronger performance tier despite the small head-to-head margins.

None of these deltas are dramatic. The largest single-test gap is the -1.5% in R15 single-core. But six consecutive wins in the recorded tests, plus a higher average and a higher percentile, make the direction of the comparison unambiguous.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and target different segments, which explains their similar core counts but divergent feature sets. The Core i7-3770T is built on Ivy Bridge, a 22 nm process, and is a desktop part. The Xeon W-2104 is a Skylake-W design on a 14 nm node and is classified as a server or workstation processor.

The transistor counts differ sharply. The i7-3770T packs 1,400 million transistors on a 160 mm² die. The Xeon W-2104 has no transistor count listed in the database, but its die size is 484 mm², more than three times the physical area of the i7. That larger die is a consequence of the Skylake-W platform's broader capabilities, including a much larger memory interface and more PCIe lanes.

Both chips have 4 cores, but threading is where they diverge. The i7-3770T supports 8 threads via Hyper-Threading, while the Xeon W-2104 is limited to 4 threads with no simultaneous multithreading. This is a critical difference: the i7 has double the logical threads, yet still loses every multi-core benchmark in the head-to-head comparison. That indicates the Xeon's per-core efficiency and higher base clock are enough to overcome the i7's thread-count advantage.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The L1 cache is identical at 64 KB per core for both. The L2 cache, however, is 256 KB per core on the i7 versus 1 MB per core on the Xeon, a fourfold difference. The L3 cache is closer: 8 MB shared on the i7 versus 8.25 MB shared on the Xeon. The Xeon's larger L2 is likely a factor in its ability to keep pace despite having half the threads.

Clock speeds tell a similar story. The i7-3770T has a base clock of 2.50 GHz with a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The Xeon W-2104 has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and no boost clock listed in the database. The Xeon's base clock is 0.70 GHz higher than the i7's base, and it does not appear to rely on turbo behavior to reach its performance level.

Memory support is another major differentiator. The i7-3770T uses DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with no memory bandwidth figure recorded. The Xeon W-2104 uses DDR4 in a quad-channel configuration, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, while the i7 does not. This aligns with the Xeon's workstation and server positioning.

PCIe connectivity is also substantially different. The i7-3770T provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Xeon W-2104 provides Gen 3 with 48 lanes. That is a threefold difference in available PCIe lanes, which matters for systems with multiple GPUs, high-speed storage, or other expansion cards.

The i7-3770T includes integrated graphics in the form of Intel HD 4000. The Xeon W-2104 has no integrated graphics listed, which is typical for a workstation part that assumes a discrete GPU is present.

Power and thermal characteristics are starkly different. The i7-3770T has a TDP of 45 watts. The Xeon W-2104 has a TDP of 120 watts. The Xeon consumes substantially more power, which is consistent with its higher base clock, larger die, quad-channel memory controller, and 48 PCIe lanes.

Sockets and platforms are incompatible. The i7-3770T uses Intel Socket 1155, while the Xeon W-2104 uses Intel Socket 2066. The release dates are five years apart: the i7 was released in April 2012, and the Xeon in August 2017. The Xeon is marked as end-of-life in the database, while the i7 has no production status listed.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear, if narrow, winner in raw performance: the Intel Xeon W-2104. It wins all six head-to-head benchmarks, has a higher average benchmark score (1350 versus 1314), and sits at a higher percentile (36 versus 35). For anyone whose priority is measured compute output in the recorded tests, the Xeon is the stronger part.

But the choice is not purely about benchmark scores. The i7-3770T offers 8 threads versus the Xeon's 4, which could be relevant for workloads that scale with thread count even if the recorded Cinebench tests do not show an advantage. The i7 also has a dramatically lower TDP at 45 watts versus 120 watts, making it far easier to cool and cheaper to run in a system that does not need the Xeon's platform features.

The Xeon W-2104 is the appropriate pick for a workstation or server build where ECC memory, quad-channel DDR4 bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s, and 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes are required. Those features are not reflected in the CPU-only benchmarks, but they are decisive for memory-intensive or expansion-heavy systems. The i7-3770T, with its integrated HD 4000 graphics, dual-channel DDR3, and 16 PCIe lanes, is better suited to a basic desktop where a discrete GPU is optional and power draw is a concern.

For users running the exact workloads in the database, Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, the Xeon is the better processor in both single-core and multi-core, albeit by margins of roughly 1% to 2%. The i7's only theoretical advantage, its 8 threads, does not translate into a win in any recorded multi-core test. That is the key finding: the Xeon's higher base clock and larger L2 cache compensate fully for its lack of Hyper-Threading.

The production status matters for purchasing decisions. The Xeon W-2104 is listed as end-of-life, which may limit availability. The i7-3770T has no such status recorded. The Xeon also has a recorded launch MSRP of $255; the i7 has no launch MSRP in the database.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category. The Core i7-3770T has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Xeon W-2104 has 4 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are 2.50 GHz for the i7 and 3.20 GHz for the Xeon. The i7 has a boost clock of 3.70 GHz; the Xeon has no boost clock listed.

TDP is 45 watts for the i7 and 120 watts for the Xeon. The i7 uses Intel Socket 1155; the Xeon uses Intel Socket 2066. The architecture is Ivy Bridge on 22 nm for the i7, versus Skylake on 14 nm for the Xeon. The i7 has 1,400 million transistors on a 160 mm² die; the Xeon's transistor count is not listed, but its die size is 484 mm².

L1 cache is identical at 64 KB per core. L2 cache is 256 KB per core for the i7 and 1 MB per core for the Xeon. L3 cache is 8 MB shared for the i7 and 8.25 MB shared for the Xeon. Memory support is DDR3 dual-channel for the i7 and DDR4 quad-channel for the Xeon, with the Xeon's bandwidth recorded at 85.3 GB/s. ECC memory is not supported on the i7 but is on the Xeon.

PCIe is Gen 3 with 16 lanes for the i7 and Gen 3 with 48 lanes for the Xeon. The i7 has integrated Intel HD 4000 graphics; the Xeon has none. The market segment is Desktop for the i7 and Server/Workstation for the Xeon. The Xeon is end-of-life; the i7 has no production status. The i7 was released on April 28, 2012; the Xeon on August 28, 2017. The Xeon has a launch MSRP of $255; the i7 has none recorded. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. Part numbers are SR0PQ for the i7 and SR3LH for the Xeon.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Xeon W-2104 wins every recorded single-core benchmark. In Cinebench R15 it scores 66 versus 65, in R20 it scores 276 versus 273, and in R23 it scores 659 versus 651.

Q: Does the Core i7-3770T's 8 threads give it a multi-core advantage?

A: No. Despite having 8 threads against the Xeon's 4, the i7 loses all three multi-core Cinebench tests. The Xeon leads by -1.3% in R15, -1.2% in R20, and -1.2% in R23.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest delta is -1.5% in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Xeon scores 66 and the i7 scores 65. All other deltas are between -1.1% and -1.3%.

Q: Do these processors support ECC memory?

A: Only the Xeon W-2104 supports ECC memory. The Core i7-3770T does not.

Q: How do their memory systems differ?

A: The i7-3770T uses dual-channel DDR3 with no bandwidth figure recorded. The Xeon W-2104 uses quad-channel DDR4 with a recorded bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The Xeon W-2104 has an average benchmark score of 1350, placing it in the 36th percentile. The Core i7-3770T has an average score of 1314, placing it in the 35th percentile.

Q: Which processor has a higher TDP?

A: The Xeon W-2104 has a TDP of 120 watts, compared to 45 watts for the Core i7-3770T.