CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i7-4770HQ and Intel Xeon E-2124 are both 4-core Intel processors, but they target very different market segments and architectural generations. The benchmark data shows a consistent, though not overwhelming, performance advantage for the Xeon across every tested workload, despite the i7 having double the thread count. This analysis breaks down the measured scores, architectural foundations, and practical implications of these two end-of-life CPUs.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark results are unambiguous: the Intel Xeon E-2124 wins all six recorded comparisons. The largest single-core margin appears in Cinebench R15, where the Xeon scores 81 against the i7-4770HQ’s 72, a delta of -11.1% from the i7’s perspective. This pattern repeats across every Cinebench version, with the Xeon consistently holding a lead of roughly 11% in both single-core and multi-core tests.

In multi-core workloads, the 4-thread Xeon E-2124 outperforms the 8-thread i7-4770HQ in Cinebench R15 by a score of 577 to 514, a -10.9% delta. Moving to Cinebench R20, the Xeon posts 2408 versus 2144, again an -11% difference. The trend continues in Cinebench R23, where the Xeon scores 5734 compared to the i7’s 5106, marking another -11% gap. These consistent deltas suggest the Xeon’s higher clock speeds more than compensate for the i7’s additional threads in these synthetic rendering tests.

Single-core performance tells a similar story, with the Xeon leading Cinebench R15 single-core at 81 versus 72 (-11.1%), Cinebench R20 at 339 versus 302 (-10.9%), and Cinebench R23 at 809 versus 720 (-11%). Notably, the i7-4770HQ’s Geekbench scores (3407 multi-core, 1013 single-core) are not directly compared in the head-to-head table, but its average benchmark score of 1660 sits just 0.1% above the Xeon’s 1658. The overall picture is one of near-total performance parity in aggregate, with the Xeon dominating on raw throughput per clock.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is substantial, reflecting their different release timelines and design goals. The Intel Core i7-4770HQ is built on the Haswell architecture (codename Crystalwell) using a 22 nm process node, featuring 1,400 million transistors on a 264 mm² die. The Intel Xeon E-2124, in contrast, uses the Coffee Lake architecture (codename Coffee Lake-S WS) on a 14 nm node, with a much smaller 126 mm² die and no transistor count listed in the data.

Cache configurations differ meaningfully. Both share 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, but the i7-4770HQ has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Xeon E-2124 offers 8 MB of shared L3. The Xeon’s larger L3 cache, combined with its newer architecture, likely contributes to its superior single-core scores even though both processors have the same core count.

Clock speeds are another clear differentiator. The i7-4770HQ runs at a 2.20 GHz base clock and 3.40 GHz boost clock, while the Xeon E-2124 operates at 3.30 GHz base and 4.30 GHz boost. This 1.10 GHz difference in base clock and 0.90 GHz in boost clock gives the Xeon a significant frequency advantage, which the benchmark deltas reflect. The i7 compensates with Hyper-Threading (8 threads vs 4), but the data shows this does not overcome the Xeon’s clock and IPC advantages in these tests.

Memory support also diverges: the i7-4770HQ uses dual-channel DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the Xeon E-2124 uses dual-channel DDR4 with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, a feature absent on the i7. Integrated graphics differ as well, with the i7 featuring Intel HD 5200 and the Xeon featuring UHD Graphics P630. The Xeon’s 71 W TDP is higher than the i7’s 47 W, reflecting its desktop/server orientation versus the i7’s mobile design.

Where Each One Wins

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the Intel Xeon E-2124 wins every recorded comparison. There are zero wins for the Intel Core i7-4770HQ in the head-to-head table. However, the i7’s strengths appear in its thread count and form factor rather than in raw benchmark scores. With 8 threads versus 4, the i7 offers parallel processing capability that the Xeon lacks, though the benchmark results suggest this does not translate into higher Cinebench scores.

The Xeon’s wins are most pronounced in single-core tests, where its 4.30 GHz boost clock and newer Coffee Lake architecture deliver a consistent edge. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Xeon’s 809 versus 720 represents the largest absolute gap in the dataset. For multi-core, the Xeon’s margin is similar in percentage terms, but the absolute differences are larger (5734 vs 5106 in R23).

The i7-4770HQ’s case rests on its mobile market segment (Intel BGA 1364 socket) and lower 47 W TDP, making it suitable for compact systems where the Xeon’s 71 W TDP and Socket 1151 would not fit. The i7 also has a higher average benchmark score of 1660 versus the Xeon’s 1658, a 0.1% difference that is within noise but technically favors the i7 in aggregate metrics. Both processors sit at the 40th percentile of all CPUs, indicating they occupy similar overall performance tiers.

The Verdict

The data directs a clear conclusion: the Intel Xeon E-2124 is the superior performer in every measured benchmark. Its 6-0 record in head-to-head tests, with consistent -11% deltas across all Cinebench versions, makes it the choice for workloads that prioritize raw compute throughput. The Xeon’s 4.30 GHz boost clock, 8 MB L3 cache, and DDR4 memory support with ECC capability position it as a more capable workstation or server processor, despite having half the threads of the i7-4770HQ.

The Intel Core i7-4770HQ should be selected only when the mobile form factor is a hard requirement. Its Intel BGA 1364 socket, 47 W TDP, and integrated Intel HD 5200 graphics make it suitable for laptops or compact all-in-one systems where the Xeon’s Socket 1151 and 71 W TDP are incompatible. The i7’s 8 threads provide theoretical multitasking advantages, but the benchmark data shows no practical benefit in Cinebench workloads.

For users comparing these two directly, the Xeon E-2124 wins on performance, memory bandwidth (42.7 GB/s vs 25.6 GB/s), ECC support, and architecture modernity. The i7-4770HQ wins on power efficiency and mobile compatibility. Neither processor is currently in production, and both are end-of-life, so availability and platform constraints should guide the final decision.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-4770HQ has 8 threads, while the Intel Xeon E-2124 has 4 threads. Despite this, the Xeon wins all multi-core benchmarks.

Q: What is the difference in boost clock speed?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2124 has a boost clock of 4.30 GHz, compared to the Intel Core i7-4770HQ’s 3.40 GHz. This 0.90 GHz advantage contributes to the Xeon’s benchmark wins.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-4770HQ support ECC memory?

A: No, the Intel Core i7-4770HQ does not support ECC memory. The Intel Xeon E-2124 does support ECC memory, which is a key feature for workstation reliability.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2124 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i7-4770HQ has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Core i7-4770HQ has an average benchmark score of 1660, while the Intel Xeon E-2124 has an average score of 1658. This represents a 0.1% difference in favor of the i7.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the Intel Xeon E-2124?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2124 has a launch MSRP of $198. The Intel Core i7-4770HQ has no launch MSRP listed in the data.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-4770HQ | Intel Xeon E-2124 |

|---|---|---|

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.20 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.40 GHz | 4.30 GHz |

| TDP | 47 W | 71 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1364 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Coffee Lake |

| Codename | Crystalwell | Coffee Lake-S WS |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | 264 mm² | 126 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | 42.7 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | false | true |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 5200 | UHD Graphics P630 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Server/Workstation |

| Release Date | 2014-06-30 | 2018-07-11 |

| Launch MSRP | null | $198 |

| Part Number | SR1ZW | SR3WQ |