CPU Comparison

The Intel Xeon E-2288G and Intel Core i7-7820X are both 8-core, 16-thread processors from Intel, but they target different segments of the market. The data shows a close contest in most compute-heavy workloads, with the Xeon E-2288G taking a slight edge in the majority of tests, while the Core i7-7820X counters with a significant win in one specific benchmark. The following analysis breaks down the benchmark results, architectural differences, and the practical implications of each processor's design.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark suite reveals a clear pattern: the Intel Xeon E-2288G wins seven of the eight head-to-head comparisons, but the margin of victory is often narrow. In the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the Xeon E-2288G scores 1493 against the Core i7-7820X's 1469, a delta of 1.6%. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the Xeon E-2288G posts 6223 versus 6121, a 1.7% advantage. The Cinebench R23 multi-core results follow suit, with the Xeon E-2288G at 14817 and the Core i7-7820X at 14576, again a 1.7% difference.

The single-core results are similarly close but consistently favor the Xeon E-2288G. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Xeon E-2288G scores 210 against 207, a 1.4% lead. The Cinebench R20 single-core test shows 878 versus 863, and Cinebench R23 single-core shows 2091 versus 2057, both representing a 1.7% advantage for the Xeon E-2288G. These results indicate that the Xeon's higher boost clock provides a measurable, if modest, performance edge in single-threaded tasks.

The one decisive victory for the Core i7-7820X comes in the Geekbench multi-core test, where it scores 7855 against the Xeon E-2288G's 7639. This represents a 2.7% delta in favor of the Core i7-7820X, a reversal of the trend seen in the Cinebench tests. However, the Geekbench single-core test tells a different story entirely: the Xeon E-2288G scores 1632 versus 1422, a commanding 14.8% lead. This is the largest performance gap in either direction across the entire benchmark suite.

Looking at the broader context, the Xeon E-2288G's average benchmark score of 4373 places it 1.2% ahead of the Core i7-7820X's 4321. Both processors sit at the 58th percentile among all CPUs, indicating they occupy a similar tier of overall performance. The Xeon E-2288G's rivals include the AMD EPYC 7232P (deltaPct 0.4) and the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 4750GE (deltaPct -0.9), while the Core i7-7820X's closest competitors are the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5750G (deltaPct 0.6) and the Intel Xeon E5-4669 v3 (deltaPct 0.8).

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on the same 14 nm process node and both come from Intel, but their underlying architectures diverge significantly. The Xeon E-2288G uses the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake-S WS codename, and belongs to the Xeon E-2200 series. The Core i7-7820X uses the Skylake architecture, with the Skylake-X codename, and is part of the Core i7 X-Series 7th Generation.

The cache configurations highlight a key structural difference. The Xeon E-2288G has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, with 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core i7-7820X also has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, but its L2 cache is four times larger at 1 MB per core. However, its L3 cache is smaller at 11 MB shared. This gives the Xeon E-2288G a larger total cache pool in the L3 tier, while the Core i7-7820X has a distinct advantage in per-core L2 capacity.

Memory support presents another major architectural split. The Xeon E-2288G uses a dual-channel memory bus with a peak bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while the Core i7-7820X uses a quad-channel bus that doubles the bandwidth to 85.3 GB/s. Both support DDR4 memory. The Xeon E-2288G supports ECC memory, a critical feature for server and workstation reliability, whereas the Core i7-7820X does not.

The PCIe configurations also differ. The Xeon E-2288G provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Core i7-7820X provides Gen 3 with 28 lanes. The Xeon E-2288G includes integrated graphics in the form of HD Graphics P630, while the Core i7-7820X has no integrated graphics at all. The Xeon E-2288G has a locked multiplier, whereas the Core i7-7820X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2288G has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, compared to the Core i7-7820X's 4.50 GHz. This explains the Xeon's consistent single-core benchmark wins.

Q: Does the Core i7-7820X support ECC memory?

A: No. The Core i7-7820X does not support ECC memory. The Xeon E-2288G does support ECC memory, making it suitable for error-sensitive workloads.

Q: Which processor has a higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Core i7-7820X has a memory bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s due to its quad-channel memory bus. The Xeon E-2288G has 42.7 GB/s with a dual-channel bus.

Q: What is the benchmark score difference in Geekbench multi-core?

A: The Core i7-7820X scores 7855, which is 2.7% higher than the Xeon E-2288G's 7639. This is the only head-to-head test the Core i7-7820X wins.

Q: Are both processors on the same manufacturing process?

A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon E-2288G and the Intel Core i7-7820X are manufactured on a 14 nm process node by Intel.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The Core i7-7820X has 28 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the Xeon E-2288G has 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes.

Specification Differences

The following table details the fields where the two processors differ:

| Specification | Intel Xeon E-2288G | Intel Core i7-7820X |

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

| Base Clock | 3.70 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 95 W | 140 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | Intel Socket 2066 |

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Skylake |

| Codename | Coffee Lake-S WS | Skylake-X |

| Generation | Xeon E (Coffee Lake) | Core i7 (X-Series 7th Gen) |

| Die Size | 180 mm² | Not specified |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 16 MB (shared) | 11 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Quad-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 42.7 GB/s | 85.3 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe Lanes | Gen 3, 16 Lanes | Gen 3, 28 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | HD Graphics P630 | None |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Launch MSRP | $539 | $599 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part Number | SRFB3 | SR3L5 |

| Release Date | 2019-05-28 | 2017-06-25 |

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a nuanced picture. The Intel Xeon E-2288G wins the majority of tests, taking 7 out of 8 head-to-head comparisons. Its wins are consistent across all Cinebench versions, both single-core and multi-core, with margins ranging from 1.4% to 1.7%. The single-core Geekbench result is its most dominant victory, with a 14.8% lead. The Xeon E-2288G also offers ECC memory support, integrated graphics, and a lower TDP of 95 W, making it a more efficient and feature-complete package for workstation reliability.

The Intel Core i7-7820X wins only the Geekbench multi-core test, but that win is significant at 2.7%. It also offers a quad-channel memory bus with double the bandwidth (85.3 GB/s), more PCIe lanes (28 vs 16), and an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. However, these advantages come at the cost of a higher TDP (140 W), no ECC support, and no integrated graphics.

Based strictly on the data, the Xeon E-2288G is the better choice for users prioritizing raw compute performance in most benchmark scenarios, single-threaded responsiveness, and system reliability features. The Core i7-7820X is the better choice for users who need maximum memory bandwidth, more PCIe lanes for expansion, or who plan to overclock. The average benchmark scores confirm the Xeon E-2288G's overall lead: 4373 versus 4321, a 1.2% difference.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E-2288G wins in the following scenarios based on benchmark performance and features:

• Single-threaded workloads: It leads in every single-core test, with a particularly strong 14.8% advantage in Geekbench single-core.
• Cinebench rendering tests: It wins all six Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests, both single-core and multi-core.
• ECC memory environments: For workloads requiring error correction, the Xeon E-2288G's ECC support is a decisive factor.
• Systems without discrete graphics: The integrated HD Graphics P630 provides a display output option, which the Core i7-7820X lacks.
• Power-sensitive deployments: The 95 W TDP is significantly lower than the 140 W TDP of the Core i7-7820X.

The Intel Core i7-7820X wins in these scenarios:

• Geekbench multi-core performance: Its 7855 score is 2.7% higher than the Xeon E-2288G's 7639, making it the clear winner in this specific test.
• Memory-intensive applications: The quad-channel memory bus and 85.3 GB/s bandwidth provide a structural advantage for workloads that saturate memory throughput.
• High expansion needs: With 28 PCIe lanes versus 16, the Core i7-7820X supports more add-in cards and NVMe devices.
• Overclocking: The unlocked multiplier allows for manual performance tuning, which the locked Xeon E-2288G does not permit.