Intel Core i7-7740X vs Intel Xeon E-2174G Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clean sweep for the Intel Core i7-7740X across all eight benchmark comparisons. In every single test, from Cinebench R15 to Geekbench, the i7-7740X posts a higher score than the Xeon E-2174G. The margins are consistent but never overwhelming, ranging from a 1.9% edge to a 3.8% edge.

The largest win for the i7-7740X comes in Geekbench single-core, where it scores 1619 against the Xeon's 1559, a 3.8% advantage. That is the most decisive gap in the entire head-to-head set. Geekbench multi-core is the second-biggest win: 5246 versus 5104, a 2.8% delta. These two results indicate that the i7-7740X holds its strongest advantage in general-purpose workloads that emphasize raw single-thread responsiveness and lightly threaded system tasks.

In Cinebench R15 single-core, the i7-7740X scores 117 against 114 for the Xeon, a 2.6% lead. The remaining tests cluster tightly around the 2% mark. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows 831 versus 815, a 2% delta. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 3465 versus 3398, also 2%. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 8250 versus 8091, again 2%. The single-core Cinebench R20 and R23 tests each show 1.9% leads for the i7-7740X: 488 versus 479 and 1164 versus 1142, respectively.

The pattern is clear: the i7-7740X wins every benchmark, but the margins are modest. No test shows a double-digit percentage gap. The average benchmark score confirms the overall picture. The i7-7740X posts an average score of 2648, while the Xeon E-2174G averages 2588. That works out to roughly a 2.3% difference in the aggregate. The percentile ranks align with that: the i7-7740X sits at the 50th percentile among all CPUs in the database, while the Xeon E-2174G sits at the 49th percentile.

Looking at the nearest rivals in the database, the i7-7740X is essentially tied with the Intel Xeon E-2274G (0.2% delta), the Intel Core i7-5820K (0.2% delta), the Intel Core i9-8950HK (0.3% delta), and the Intel Core i7-1195G7 (0.4% delta). The Xeon E-2174G is likewise tied with the Intel Xeon E5-4620 v3 (0% delta), the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE (-0.3% delta), the AMD Ryzen 9 4900HS (0.6% delta), and the Intel Core i7-8850H (-0.6% delta). Both parts sit in extremely crowded performance territory, where a few points of benchmark score separate many competing chips.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from different Intel families and target different platforms. The Intel Core i7-7740X is a Kaby Lake part, specifically from the Kaby Lake-X sub-family, and belongs to the Core i7 X-Series 7th Generation. The Intel Xeon E-2174G is a Coffee Lake part, from the Coffee Lake-S WS line, and belongs to the Xeon E-2100 series. Both are built on Intel's own 14 nm process, so the underlying transistor geometry is identical.

Both chips have 4 cores and 8 threads. The cache layout is also identical: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The process node and cache structure being the same means the performance differences come down to clock speeds, memory architecture, and platform features.

Clock speeds tell a nuanced story. The i7-7740X has a higher base clock at 4.30 GHz, compared to 3.80 GHz for the Xeon E-2174G. But the Xeon has a slightly higher boost clock at 4.70 GHz, against 4.60 GHz for the i7-7740X. The i7-7740X therefore starts from a higher floor, while the Xeon has a marginally higher ceiling. The benchmark results suggest that sustained workloads favor the i7-7740X's higher base clock, while the Xeon's extra 100 MHz of boost is not enough to close the gap in single-threaded tests.

The memory subsystems diverge significantly. The i7-7740X supports quad-channel DDR4 memory, while the Xeon E-2174G supports dual-channel DDR4. The Xeon has a listed memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s; the database does not record a bandwidth figure for the i7-7740X. The i7-7740X sits on Intel Socket 2066, the high-end desktop platform, while the Xeon E-2174G uses Intel Socket 1151. The Xeon's die size is recorded as 126 mm², while the i7-7740X has no die size listed.

A major differentiator is ECC memory support. The Xeon E-2174G supports ECC memory, the i7-7740X does not. The Xeon also includes integrated graphics in the form of HD Graphics P630, while the i7-7740X has no integrated graphics listed. The Xeon's PCIe setup is Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU only, while the i7-7740X is listed simply as Gen 3 without a lane count.

The i7-7740X has an unlocked multiplier, meaning it is designed for overclocking. The Xeon E-2174G has a locked multiplier. Power characteristics differ as well: the i7-7740X has a TDP of 112 watts, while the Xeon E-2174G draws only 71 watts. That is a substantial efficiency advantage for the Xeon, which delivers nearly the same performance at a much lower thermal envelope.

The production status also differs. The i7-7740X is listed as Active, while the Xeon E-2174G is listed as End-of-life. The Xeon launched about a year later: the database records a release date of July 2018 for the Xeon and June 2017 for the i7-7740X.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-7740X wins every recorded benchmark, but that does not mean it is the right choice for every scenario. The data supports a clear split based on platform priorities.

The i7-7740X is the stronger performer in pure compute. It wins all eight head-to-head tests, with the largest margins in Geekbench. Users who prioritize raw benchmark scores, especially in single-threaded and general-purpose tasks, will find the i7-7740X ahead. Its quad-channel memory interface also gives it a theoretical bandwidth advantage for memory-sensitive workloads, though no bandwidth figure is recorded in the database to quantify that. The unlocked multiplier adds overclocking headroom, which can widen the performance gap further in the hands of an enthusiast.

The Xeon E-2174G wins on efficiency and platform features. Its 71 watt TDP is dramatically lower than the i7-7740X's 112 watts, meaning it produces less heat and requires less aggressive cooling. For compact workstations or systems where thermal management is a constraint, that matters. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, which is a non-negotiable requirement for many server and workstation applications where data integrity is paramount. The integrated HD Graphics P630 means the Xeon can output video without a discrete graphics card, a useful feature for headless servers or basic workstation setups. The Xeon's dual-channel memory is a simpler, lower-cost configuration, and its Socket 1151 platform is far more common than the high-end desktop Socket 2066.

The Xeon's boost clock of 4.70 GHz is the highest frequency recorded between the two chips, so in short bursts where boost behavior dominates, the Xeon can reach a higher peak. But the benchmark data shows the i7-7740X still wins single-core tests despite the Xeon's higher boost, likely due to the i7's higher base clock and more favorable sustained boost behavior.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-7740X outperforms the Intel Xeon E-2174G in every recorded test. The i7-7740X leads by 2% in Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core, 2% in R23 multi-core, 1.9% in R20 and R23 single-core, 2.6% in R15 single-core, 2.8% in Geekbench multi-core, and 3.8% in Geekbench single-core. Its average benchmark score of 2648 beats the Xeon's 2588. If raw performance is the only criterion, the i7-7740X is the clear winner.

However, the Xeon E-2174G is not without reasons to choose it. The 71 watt TDP versus 112 watts is a major efficiency advantage. ECC memory support is a feature the i7-7740X simply does not have. Integrated graphics remove the need for a separate GPU. The Xeon is a server and workstation part, built for reliability and stability in professional environments, while the i7-7740X is a desktop enthusiast part with an unlocked multiplier for overclocking.

The i7-7740X is the pick for desktop users who want the highest benchmark scores, plan to overclock, and can accommodate a higher-power platform with quad-channel memory. The Xeon E-2174G is the pick for workstation and server builds where ECC memory, integrated graphics, lower power draw, and a mainstream Socket 1151 platform outweigh a roughly 2% performance deficit. The Xeon's end-of-life status is a consideration for long-term procurement, while the i7-7740X remains active. Neither chip is dramatically faster than the other; the choice comes down to platform fit and feature requirements rather than a decisive performance gap.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-7740X wins all four single-core benchmarks. It scores 117 versus 114 in Cinebench R15, 488 versus 479 in Cinebench R20, 1164 versus 1142 in Cinebench R23, and 1619 versus 1559 in Geekbench.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in multi-core workloads?

A: The i7-7740X wins every multi-core test as well. The margins are 831 versus 815 in Cinebench R15, 3465 versus 3398 in Cinebench R20, 8250 versus 8091 in Cinebench R23, and 5246 versus 5104 in Geekbench, all about 2% to 2.8% in favor of the i7-7740X.

Q: Does the Xeon E-2174G support ECC memory?

A: Yes. The Xeon E-2174G supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i7-7740X does not.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption between the two?

A: The i7-7740X has a TDP of 112 watts, while the Xeon E-2174G has a TDP of 71 watts, making the Xeon substantially more power-efficient.

Q: Which CPU has integrated graphics?

A: The Xeon E-2174G includes HD Graphics P630. The i7-7740X has no integrated graphics listed in the database.

Q: Are both CPUs still in production?

A: No. The i7-7740X is listed as Active, while the Xeon E-2174G is listed as End-of-life.