Intel Core i7-3820 vs Intel Xeon E-2104G Comparison

The Verdict

The Intel Core i7-3820 wins every recorded benchmark in this comparison. The database shows six head-to-head tests, and the i7-3820 takes all six. The margins are narrow, ranging from 1.4% to 1.6%, but they are consistent across every Cinebench version and both single-core and multi-core workloads. The Xeon E-2104G does not secure a single win.

The i7-3820 is the pick if raw benchmark scores matter most. It delivers a slight edge in every measured workload, and it also carries an unlocked multiplier, meaning the recorded data reflects stock settings but the chip allows for manual frequency adjustments. The Xeon E-2104G is the pick if the workload demands ECC memory, integrated graphics, a lower power envelope, or a modern platform with PCIe Gen 3. The Xeon draws 65 watts versus 130 watts for the i7, supports DDR4 instead of DDR3, and includes UHD Graphics P630. The i7 has no integrated graphics at all.

For a builder focused purely on Cinebench numbers, the i7-3820 is the answer. For a workstation or server build where memory error correction and on-die display output matter, the Xeon E-2104G is the sensible choice despite the slightly lower scores.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel eras. The i7-3820 uses the Sandy Bridge architecture, specifically the Sandy Bridge-E variant, built on a 32 nm process. It is a desktop part from the Core i7 generation, released in early 2012. The die measures 294 mm² and contains 1,270 million transistors.

The Xeon E-2104G uses the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically Coffee Lake-S WS, built on a 14 nm process. It is a server or workstation part from the Xeon E-2100 series, released in mid-2018. The die is much smaller at 126 mm², and the transistor count is not recorded in the database.

Both chips have 4 physical cores. The i7-3820 supports Hyper-Threading, so it presents 8 threads to the operating system. The Xeon E-2104G has no Hyper-Threading, giving it 4 threads. This is the single biggest architectural difference for multi-threaded workloads. The i7-3820 also has a larger L3 cache at 10 MB shared, versus 8 MB shared for the Xeon. L1 and L2 caches are identical at 64 KB per core and 256 KB per core respectively.

Memory support differs significantly. The i7-3820 uses DDR3 over a quad-channel memory bus, delivering 51.2 GB/s of theoretical bandwidth. The Xeon E-2104G uses DDR4 over a dual-channel bus, delivering 42.7 GB/s. The Xeon supports ECC memory; the i7 does not. PCIe connectivity also differs: the i7 offers Gen 2 with 40 lanes (CPU only), while the Xeon offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Xeon includes integrated UHD Graphics P630, while the i7 has no integrated graphics.

The i7-3820 has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The Xeon E-2104G has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and no boost clock recorded. The i7 also has an unlocked multiplier; the Xeon is locked. The sockets are incompatible: Intel Socket 2011 for the i7, Intel Socket 1151 for the Xeon.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a consistent pattern. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-3820 scores 496 against 488 for the Xeon E-2104G, a 1.6% lead. In R15 single-core, the i7 scores 69 against 68, a 1.5% lead. The same margin repeats in R20 multi-core: 2067 versus 2035, again a 1.6% delta. R20 single-core shows 291 versus 287, a 1.4% gap. R23 multi-core has the i7 at 4923 and the Xeon at 4847, a 1.6% lead. R23 single-core closes with 695 versus 684, another 1.6% margin.

The i7 wins all six tests, but the margins are small. The largest advantage is 1.6%, which appears in four of the six tests. The smallest is 1.4% in R20 single-core. The consistency of these deltas suggests the i7's advantage comes from its higher base clock (3.60 GHz versus 3.20 GHz) and its extra threads (8 versus 4), though the benchmark scores themselves cannot isolate the cause. The extra threads likely matter more in multi-core tests, where the i7 still only manages a 1.6% lead. The single-core tests, where thread count is irrelevant, show a similar 1.4% to 1.6% gap, pointing to the clock speed difference as the primary factor.

The average benchmark scores place these chips close together. The i7-3820 has an average score of 1424, while the Xeon E-2104G averages 1402. Both sit at the 37th percentile among all CPUs in the database. The i7's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon Bronze 3106 (average 1422, 0.1% behind), the Intel Core i5-4570S (average 1426, 0.2% ahead), the Intel Core i7-3720QM (average 1421, 0.2% behind), and the AMD Opteron 4274 HE (average 1420, 0.3% behind). The Xeon's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 (average 1401, 0.1% behind), the Intel Pentium Gold G7400TE (average 1404, 0.2% ahead), the Intel Core i5-6500TE (average 1399, 0.2% behind), and the Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3 (average 1396, 0.4% behind). Neither chip is far from its nearest competition; both occupy a crowded performance band.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has higher multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-3820 wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests. It scores 496 in R15, 2067 in R20, and 4923 in R23, versus 488, 2035, and 4847 for the Xeon E-2104G. The lead is 1.6% in each case.

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

A: Yes. The database lists ECC memory support as true for the Xeon E-2104G. The i7-3820 does not support ECC memory.

Q: Which CPU has integrated graphics?

A: Only the Xeon E-2104G. It includes UHD Graphics P630. The i7-3820 has no integrated graphics at all, so a discrete GPU is mandatory for any display output on that platform.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The i7-3820 has a quad-channel DDR3 bus rated at 51.2 GB/s. The Xeon E-2104G has a dual-channel DDR4 bus rated at 42.7 GB/s. The i7 offers roughly 20% more theoretical bandwidth.

Q: Are these CPUs unlocked for overclocking?

A: The i7-3820 has an unlocked multiplier. The Xeon E-2104G is locked, so no multiplier adjustment is possible.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i7-3820 averages 1424 across all recorded benchmarks. The Xeon E-2104G averages 1402. Both are at the 37th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-3820 wins every measured benchmark, but the practical impact depends on the workload. Its 8 threads and 10 MB L3 cache give it a nominal edge in multi-threaded rendering tasks, as shown by the consistent 1.6% lead in R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests. Its higher base clock of 3.60 GHz and boost clock of 3.80 GHz also translate to a small but real advantage in single-threaded tests, where it leads by 1.4% to 1.6%. The unlocked multiplier means users can push beyond stock performance, which the locked Xeon cannot match. The i7 also offers quad-channel memory with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, which benefits memory-heavy workloads.

The Xeon E-2104G wins on platform features rather than raw scores. It supports ECC memory, which is critical for error-sensitive server or workstation tasks. It includes UHD Graphics P630, eliminating the need for a separate GPU in basic display scenarios. It draws 65 watts against the i7's 130 watts, making it far easier to cool and cheaper to power over time. Its DDR4 support brings a newer memory standard, and PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes provides faster peripheral bandwidth than the i7's Gen 2 with 40 lanes. The Xeon also uses the more modern Coffee Lake architecture on a 14 nm process, with a much smaller die at 126 mm² versus 294 mm². For a compact workstation or a server board that requires ECC and integrated video, the Xeon is the clear fit despite the benchmark deficit.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in nearly every major specification category. The i7-3820 has 8 threads; the Xeon E-2104G has 4. Base clocks are 3.60 GHz for the i7 and 3.20 GHz for the Xeon. The i7 has a boost clock of 3.80 GHz; the Xeon has no boost clock recorded. TDP is 130 watts for the i7 and 65 watts for the Xeon. Sockets are Intel Socket 2011 for the i7 and Intel Socket 1151 for the Xeon. Architecture is Sandy Bridge-E for the i7 and Coffee Lake-S WS for the Xeon. Process nodes are 32 nm for the i7 and 14 nm for the Xeon. Die size is 294 mm² for the i7 and 126 mm² for the Xeon. Transistor count is 1,270 million for the i7 and not recorded for the Xeon.

L3 cache is 10 MB shared for the i7 and 8 MB shared for the Xeon. L1 and L2 caches are identical. Memory support is DDR3 for the i7 and DDR4 for the Xeon. Memory bus is quad-channel for the i7 and dual-channel for the Xeon. Memory bandwidth is 51.2 GB/s for the i7 and 42.7 GB/s for the Xeon. ECC support is false for the i7 and true for the Xeon. PCIe is Gen 2 with 40 lanes for the i7 and Gen 3 with 16 lanes for the Xeon. Integrated graphics are absent on the i7 and present on the Xeon as UHD Graphics P630. The i7 has an unlocked multiplier; the Xeon is locked. Market segments are Desktop for the i7 and Server/Workstation for the Xeon. Release dates are 2012 for the i7 and 2018 for the Xeon. The i7 carries a launch MSRP of $305, while the Xeon carries a launch MSRP of $193.