Intel Core i7-7820HK vs Intel Xeon E-2124G Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark split is decisive but lopsided. The Intel Core i7-7820HK takes six of the eight recorded head-to-head wins, all of them in Cinebench workloads. The Xeon E-2124G counters with two wins, both in Geekbench. This is a clean division: the mobile part dominates the Cinebench suite, while the server chip wins the Geekbench tests.

For multi-threaded rendering, the i7-7820HK is consistently ahead. The Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows 635 versus 613, a 3.6% margin. The R20 multi-core test shows 2648 versus 2558, a 3.5% gap. The R23 multi-core result repeats the pattern at 6306 versus 6092, again 3.5%. The single-core Cinebench tests also favor the i7, with margins of 3.5%, 3.3%, and 3.5% across R15, R20, and R23 respectively.

The Xeon E-2124G wins the Geekbench suite by a larger relative margin. Its single-core score of 1438 beats the i7's 1273 by 11.5%. The multi-core Geekbench result is closer: 4263 versus 4173, a 2.1% advantage. The single-core Geekbench win is the largest delta in the entire comparison, more than triple the size of the i7's biggest Cinebench margin.

The data suggests the i7-7820HK is the better choice for Cinebench-style rendering tasks, while the Xeon E-2124G has an edge in Geekbench workloads. The i7's win count (6 out of 8) is notable, but the Xeon's single-core Geekbench advantage is substantial and should not be overlooked.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmarks overall?

A: The Intel Core i7-7820HK wins 6 of the 8 recorded head-to-head benchmarks. The Intel Xeon E-2124G wins the remaining 2.

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

A: The largest gap is in Geekbench single-core, where the Xeon E-2124G scores 1438 against the i7-7820HK's 1273, a difference of 11.5%.

Q: Are the Cinebench results consistent across versions?

A: Yes. The i7-7820HK leads in all three Cinebench versions tested (R15, R20, R23), with multi-core margins of 3.6%, 3.5%, and 3.5%, and single-core margins of 3.5%, 3.3%, and 3.5%.

Q: How do the two processors compare in average benchmark score?

A: The i7-7820HK has an average benchmark score of 2048, while the Xeon E-2124G has an average of 2034. The i7 sits at the 46th percentile of all CPUs, and the Xeon at the 45th percentile.

Q: Does the Xeon E-2124G support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon E-2124G supports ECC memory. The i7-7820HK does not support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Xeon E-2124G has a boost clock of 4.50 GHz, while the i7-7820HK has a boost clock of 3.90 GHz.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R15 multi-core test opens the comparison with the i7-7820HK at 635 and the Xeon E-2124G at 613. The 3.6% delta is the largest Cinebench margin recorded between these two parts. The single-core R15 result shows 89 versus 86, a 3.5% edge for the i7.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds. The i7 scores 2648 in multi-core against the Xeon's 2558, a 3.5% lead. In single-core, the i7's 373 beats the Xeon's 361 by 3.3%. This is the narrowest Cinebench margin in the comparison, though the i7 still takes the win.

Cinebench R23 repeats the trend. The i7's 6306 multi-core score outpaces the Xeon's 6092 by 3.5%. The single-core result is 890 versus 860, again a 3.5% gap. Across all six Cinebench tests, the i7-7820HK maintains a remarkably consistent advantage, never dipping below 3.3% or exceeding 3.6%.

The Geekbench results flip the script. In multi-core, the Xeon E-2124G scores 4263 against the i7's 4173, a 2.1% win. This is the closest result in the entire head-to-head set. The single-core Geekbench test is where the Xeon truly pulls ahead: 1438 versus 1273, an 11.5% advantage. This single result dwarfs every Cinebench margin and represents the clearest performance separation between the two processors.

The wins are split 6-2 in favor of the i7, but the magnitude of the Xeon's Geekbench single-core win is worth emphasizing. The i7's Cinebench leads cluster tightly around 3.5%, while the Xeon's Geekbench single-core lead is more than three times larger.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several fundamental specifications. The i7-7820HK has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Xeon E-2124G has 4 cores and 4 threads. This thread count difference is the most significant specification gap, as it directly affects multi-threaded workload performance.

Base clocks differ substantially. The i7-7820HK runs at 2.90 GHz base, while the Xeon E-2124G runs at 3.40 GHz base. Boost clocks also differ: 3.90 GHz for the i7 versus 4.50 GHz for the Xeon. The Xeon holds a 0.50 GHz advantage at base and a 0.60 GHz advantage at boost.

Thermal design power is another clear differentiator. The i7-7820HK has a 45W TDP, while the Xeon E-2124G has a 71W TDP. The sockets are different: the i7 uses Intel BGA 1440, and the Xeon uses Intel Socket 1151.

Memory support differs. The i7 supports DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the Xeon supports DDR4 only. The Xeon has a recorded memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s; no memory bandwidth figure is recorded for the i7. ECC memory is supported by the Xeon but not by the i7.

Integrated graphics differ. The i7 features Intel HD Graphics 630, while the Xeon features HD Graphics P630. The i7 has an unlocked multiplier; the Xeon does not. The i7 is a mobile part, while the Xeon targets the server/workstation segment. Release dates differ: the i7 launched in January 2017, and the Xeon in July 2018.

Architecture Differences

Both processors use Intel's 14 nm process node and share the same die size of 126 mm². The cache layout is identical: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. PCIe support matches as well, with Gen 3 and 16 lanes from the CPU.

The architectural split lies in the core design and generation. The i7-7820HK is built on Kaby Lake, specifically the Kaby Lake-H codename, and belongs to the Core i7 (Kaby Lake-H) generation. The Xeon E-2124G is built on Coffee Lake, codename Coffee Lake-S WS, and belongs to the Xeon E (Coffee Lake) generation.

Kaby Lake-H is a mobile-oriented architecture, which explains the lower TDP of 45W and the BGA 1440 socket. Coffee Lake-S WS is a workstation/server variant, reflected in the 71W TDP, Socket 1151, and ECC memory support. The Xeon also carries the Xeon E-2100 series designation, a product line the i7 does not belong to.

The thread count difference stems from Hyper-Threading. The i7-7820HK supports 8 threads from 4 cores, while the Xeon E-2124G runs 4 threads from 4 cores. This is a feature-level difference rather than a core-count difference. The integrated graphics also differ: HD Graphics 630 on the i7 versus HD Graphics P630 on the Xeon, with the P-series designation typically indicating workstation-oriented drivers.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split based on workload type. For Cinebench rendering tasks, the Intel Core i7-7820HK is the stronger performer. It wins all three Cinebench versions in both single-core and multi-core tests, with margins ranging from 3.3% to 3.6%. Its 8 threads give it a consistent advantage in these threaded workloads, despite its lower clock speeds.

For Geekbench workloads, the Intel Xeon E-2124G is the better choice. Its single-core score of 1438 is 11.5% higher than the i7's 1273, a substantial margin. The multi-core Geekbench result is closer, with the Xeon ahead by 2.1%. The Xeon's higher base and boost clocks likely drive this advantage.

The average benchmark scores are nearly identical: 2048 for the i7 versus 2034 for the Xeon. Percentile rankings are similarly close, with the i7 at the 46th percentile and the Xeon at the 45th. This indicates that on aggregate, the two processors are roughly equivalent.

The Xeon E-2124G offers ECC memory support and a higher clock ceiling, making it suitable for server or workstation environments where data integrity and raw clock speed matter. The i7-7820HK offers more threads and a lower TDP, making it suitable for mobile systems where power efficiency and multi-threaded rendering performance are priorities.

The i7's unlocked multiplier is an additional differentiator for users who can adjust clocks in a mobile platform, though the database records no overclocking results. The Xeon's locked multiplier aligns with its server segment positioning.

In practice, the choice comes down to the workload mix. Rendering-focused users should favor the i7-7820HK, which wins every Cinebench test. Geekbench-focused users should favor the Xeon E-2124G, which wins both Geekbench tests, especially the single-core test by a wide margin. Users needing ECC memory have only one option here: the Xeon E-2124G. Users needing a lower-power mobile part have only one option: the i7-7820HK.