CPU Comparison

The Intel Xeon E-2274G and Intel Core i7-5820K are both end-of-life server/workstation and desktop processors, respectively, that land in the same performance tier. Their average benchmark scores are nearly identical, with the Xeon E-2274G averaging 2643 and the Core i7-5820K averaging 2642, a difference of just 0.1%. Both sit at the 49th percentile among all CPUs, indicating they are firmly mid-pack performers. However, the similarity in aggregate scores masks a stark divergence in workload characteristics. The Xeon E-2274G dominates in single-threaded performance, while the Core i7-5820K consistently wins in multi-threaded and memory-sensitive tasks, making the choice between them entirely dependent on the application.

Where Each One Wins

The data presents a clear split: the Intel Core i7-5820K wins seven of the eight head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the Intel Xeon E-2274G wins only one. The Core i7-5820K’s victories are concentrated in multi-core and multi-threaded workloads, where its six cores and twelve threads provide a structural advantage over the Xeon E-2274G’s four cores and eight threads. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Core i7-5820K scores 841 against the Xeon’s 835, a 0.7% lead. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 and R23 multicore, where the Core i7-5820K leads by 0.8% in both cases, with scores of 3508 versus 3481 and 8354 versus 8289, respectively.

The largest multi-threaded margin appears in Geekbench multicore, where the Core i7-5820K scores 5464 compared to the Xeon E-2274G’s 5174, a substantial 5.3% advantage. This suggests the Core i7-5820K benefits significantly from its additional cores and threads in memory-heavy or parallel workloads. The Core i7-5820K also edges out the Xeon in single-core variants of Cinebench, though by minuscule margins. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 118 versus 117 (0.8% lead), and in R20 single-core, it scores 495 versus 491 (0.8% lead). The R23 single-core test shows a similar 0.8% lead, with scores of 1179 and 1170.

The Intel Xeon E-2274G’s sole victory comes in Geekbench single-core, where it scores 1586 against the Core i7-5820K’s 1174. This is a commanding 35.1% lead and is the most significant performance gap in either direction across all benchmarks. This result is likely tied to the Xeon’s higher base clock of 4.00 GHz and boost clock of 4.90 GHz, compared to the Core i7-5820K’s 3.30 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost. For applications that rely heavily on single-threaded performance, the Xeon E-2274G is the clear winner, offering over a third more performance in the Geekbench single-core metric.

The Verdict

For users prioritizing raw multi-threaded throughput, the Intel Core i7-5820K is the logical choice. It wins every multi-core benchmark in the dataset, with its largest margin being a 5.3% lead in Geekbench multicore. Its six cores and twelve threads, combined with a quad-channel memory bus that delivers 68.3 GB/s of bandwidth, make it better suited for rendering, video editing, and other parallel workloads. The data shows that despite its older 22 nm Haswell architecture and lower clock speeds, the extra two cores and four threads translate into consistent, albeit modest, wins across all Cinebench multi-core tests.

Conversely, the Intel Xeon E-2274G is the superior option for single-threaded applications. Its 35.1% lead in Geekbench single-core is not a marginal difference; it represents a generational leap in per-core efficiency. The Xeon’s 14 nm Coffee Lake architecture and significantly higher clock speeds give it a decisive edge in tasks like spreadsheet calculations, legacy software, or any workload that cannot utilize more than one core. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the Core i7-5820K, making it the more appropriate choice for workstation environments where data integrity is critical.

The average benchmark scores suggest these processors are equivalent overall, with the Xeon E-2274G at 2643 and the Core i7-5820K at 2642. However, this average obscures the fact that they are optimized for different purposes. The Core i7-5820K is a desktop processor with an unlocked multiplier, allowing for overclocking, while the Xeon E-2274G is a server/workstation part with a locked multiplier. The choice should be dictated by the dominant workload: choose the Core i7-5820K for multi-threaded performance and overclocking headroom, or the Xeon E-2274G for single-threaded speed and ECC memory support.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results reveal a nuanced picture. In the Cinebench R15 multicore test, the Core i7-5820K scores 841, narrowly edging out the Xeon E-2274G’s 835, a 0.7% difference. This pattern is consistent in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the Core i7-5820K scores 3508 versus the Xeon’s 3481, a 0.8% lead. The same 0.8% margin appears in Cinebench R23 multicore, with scores of 8354 and 8289, respectively. These consistent results indicate that the Core i7-5820K’s two additional cores provide a small but reliable advantage in heavily threaded rendering workloads.

The single-core Cinebench tests show a tighter race. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Core i7-5820K scores 118, just one point ahead of the Xeon E-2274G’s 117, a 0.8% difference. This 0.8% lead repeats in Cinebench R20 single-core, with scores of 495 and 491, and in Cinebench R23 single-core, with scores of 1179 and 1170. These results are surprising given the Xeon’s higher clock speeds, suggesting that the Haswell architecture’s per-core efficiency is competitive with Coffee Lake in these specific tests.

The most striking divergence appears in the Geekbench tests. In Geekbench multicore, the Core i7-5820K scores 5464, a significant 5.3% lead over the Xeon E-2274G’s 5174. This larger gap suggests that Geekbench’s multi-core workload scales better with additional cores and benefits from the Core i7-5820K’s quad-channel memory interface. However, in Geekbench single-core, the tables turn dramatically. The Xeon E-2274G scores 1586, while the Core i7-5820K manages only 1174, giving the Xeon a 35.1% advantage. This is the single largest performance differential in the entire dataset and underscores the Xeon’s superiority in single-threaded tasks.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2274G has an average benchmark score of 2643, while the Intel Core i7-5820K has an average of 2642. The difference is 0.1%.

Q: How big is the single-core performance gap in Geekbench?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2274G scores 1586 in Geekbench single-core, compared to the Intel Core i7-5820K’s 1174. This represents a 35.1% lead for the Xeon.

Q: Does the Core i7-5820K support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Core i7-5820K does not support ECC memory, while the Intel Xeon E-2274G does.

Q: What is the difference in core and thread counts?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2274G has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i7-5820K has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The Intel Core i7-5820K has 28 PCIe lanes (Gen 3), while the Intel Xeon E-2274G has only 16 lanes (Gen 3).

Q: Which processor wins the most head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i7-5820K wins 7 out of 8 head-to-head benchmarks. The Intel Xeon E-2274G wins only 1, which is the Geekbench single-core test.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras and are built on different process nodes. The Intel Xeon E-2274G uses the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake-S WS codename, and is manufactured on a 14 nm process by Intel. The Intel Core i7-5820K uses the Haswell architecture, codenamed Haswell-E, and is built on a larger 22 nm process. This process difference contributes to the Xeon’s higher clock speeds and lower power consumption, with a TDP of 83 watts versus the Core i7-5820K’s 140 watts.

The cache configurations differ significantly. The Xeon E-2274G has 64 KB of L1 cache and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, with 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core i7-5820K has the same 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 cache per core, but its L3 cache is 15 MB shared, nearly double the Xeon’s. This larger cache, combined with more cores, helps the Core i7-5820K in multi-threaded workloads. The die size also reflects the architectural differences: the Xeon E-2274G has a die size of 126 mm², while the Core i7-5820K has a much larger die at 356 mm² and contains 2,600 million transistors.

Memory support is another key differentiator. Both processors support DDR4 memory, but the Xeon E-2274G uses a dual-channel memory bus with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while the Core i7-5820K uses a quad-channel bus with a bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s. The Core i7-5820K’s higher memory bandwidth is a significant advantage in memory-intensive applications. Additionally, the Xeon E-2274G supports ECC memory, a feature not available on the Core i7-5820K, making the Xeon suitable for server and workstation environments where data corruption is unacceptable.

The platform and expansion capabilities also differ. The Xeon E-2274G uses the Intel Socket 1151 and has 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the Core i7-5820K uses the Intel Socket 2011-3 and provides 28 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. The Core i7-5820K also has an unlocked multiplier, allowing for overclocking, whereas the Xeon E-2274G is locked. The Xeon E-2274G includes integrated HD Graphics P630, while the Core i7-5820K has no integrated graphics. Finally, the Xeon E-2274G was released in 2019 with a launch MSRP of $328, while the Core i7-5820K was released in 2014 with no launch MSRP listed.