CPU Comparison

The Intel Xeon E-2286M and Intel Core i7-8086K are both 14 nm Coffee Lake parts, but they occupy different ends of the Intel portfolio: one is a mobile workstation Xeon, the other a desktop enthusiast Core i7. Their benchmark data reveals a fascinating split, where the Xeon consistently wins in Cinebench but loses decisively in Geekbench. The head-to-head results show the Xeon E-2286M taking 6 wins against the i7-8086K’s 2, yet the overall average benchmark scores are nearly identical, 3822 for the Xeon and 3800 for the i7, a delta of just 0.6% in the Xeon’s favor.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the head-to-head data is the Xeon E-2286M’s uniform advantage across all six Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Xeon scores 1295 against the i7-8086K’s 1206, a 7.4% lead. The single-core R15 test shows a similar gap: 182 versus 170, a 7.1% edge. This consistency continues into Cinebench R20, where the Xeon posts 5396 multicore and 761 single-core, against the i7’s 5029 and 709, both results showing a 7.3% advantage. The Cinebench R23 scores follow the same trajectory: the Xeon’s 12848 multicore and 1813 single-core beat the i7’s 11975 and 1690, again by 7.3%. This uniformity across three generations of Cinebench suggests a steady, predictable performance gap rather than a workload-specific quirk.

However, the story flips completely in Geekbench. The i7-8086K wins the Geekbench multicore test with a score of 7920, while the Xeon E-2286M manages only 6746, a 14.8% deficit for the Xeon. The single-core Geekbench result is also in the i7’s favor: 1697 versus 1537, a 9.4% margin. These are substantial reversals, and they explain why the average benchmark scores end up so close. The Xeon’s Cinebench leads are consistent but modest (around 7%), while the i7’s Geekbench lead is nearly double that magnitude in the multicore test. The data indicates that the i7-8086K’s higher base clock of 4.00 GHz, compared to the Xeon’s 2.40 GHz, likely drives its Geekbench advantage, while the Xeon’s two extra cores (8 versus 6) and additional threads (16 versus 12) power its Cinebench wins.

Looking at the nearest rivals for each CPU provides context for these scores. The Xeon E-2286M’s average score of 3822 places it just ahead of the AMD Ryzen 9 4900H (3820, 0% delta) and the i7-8086K (3800, 0.6% delta), but behind the Intel Core i7-11700T (3864, -1.1% delta). The i7-8086K’s average of 3800 puts it 0.3% ahead of the Intel Core i7-9700KF (3787) and 0.6% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 (3777), while trailing the Ryzen 9 4900H by 0.5% and the Xeon E-2286M by 0.6%. In essence, both CPUs sit in a tightly packed performance band where a single benchmark suite can flip the ranking.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU wins more benchmarks in the head-to-head comparison?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2286M wins 6 of the 8 head-to-head tests. It takes all six Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 results (both multicore and single-core), while the Intel Core i7-8086K wins only the two Geekbench tests (multicore and single-core).

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two CPUs?

A: The largest delta is in Geekbench multicore, where the Intel Core i7-8086K leads by 14.8%, scoring 7920 versus the Xeon E-2286M’s 6746. The smallest gap is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Xeon leads by 7.1% (182 versus 170).

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Xeon E-2286M has an average benchmark score of 3822, while the i7-8086K averages 3800. This gives the Xeon a 0.6% advantage, placing both CPUs in the 56th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: Do both CPUs support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Xeon E-2286M supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i7-8086K does not support ECC memory. Both use DDR4 memory with dual-channel support and a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s.

Q: Are the core and thread counts the same?

A: No. The Xeon E-2286M has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the i7-8086K has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Xeon also has a larger shared L3 cache: 16 MB versus 12 MB.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: Both CPUs have the same maximum boost clock of 5.00 GHz. However, the i7-8086K has a much higher base clock of 4.00 GHz compared to the Xeon’s 2.40 GHz.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel’s 14 nm process node and share the Coffee Lake architecture, but they come from different branches of that family. The Xeon E-2286M uses the Coffee Lake-H codename, which is the high-performance mobile variant, while the i7-8086K uses the standard Coffee Lake codename for desktop. This distinction matters because the Xeon is designed for the Intel BGA 1440 socket (a mobile socket), whereas the i7-8086K uses the desktop Intel Socket 1151. Despite the architectural similarity, the Xeon’s die size is listed at 180 mm², while the i7-8086K’s die size is not provided in the data.

The core configuration is a major differentiator. The Xeon E-2286M packs 8 cores and 16 threads, while the i7-8086K offers 6 cores and 12 threads. This two-core, four-thread advantage for the Xeon is directly reflected in its Cinebench multicore wins. The cache hierarchy is identical per core, 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2, but the shared L3 cache differs: 16 MB on the Xeon versus 12 MB on the i7. This 4 MB difference in shared cache likely contributes to the Xeon’s consistent 7% lead in Cinebench, as more cache can improve thread scheduling and data reuse in multi-threaded workloads.

The integrated graphics also differ between the two. The Xeon E-2286M features the UHD Graphics P630, while the i7-8086K uses the UHD Graphics 630. Both are Intel integrated solutions, but the Xeon’s P630 variant is typically tuned for workstation stability rather than desktop gaming performance. The Xeon is classified in the Server/Workstation market segment, while the i7-8086K is in the Desktop segment, which aligns with their respective sockets and intended use cases. Both CPUs support PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU and share the same dual-channel DDR4 memory bus with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth.

Specification Differences

The most immediate specification gap is the core count: the Xeon E-2286M has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the i7-8086K has 6 cores and 12 threads. The base clocks are dramatically different, the Xeon runs at 2.40 GHz, while the i7-8086K starts at 4.00 GHz, but both boost to 5.00 GHz. The thermal design power (TDP) reflects their different form factors: the Xeon is rated at 45 W, whereas the i7-8086K draws 95 W. This is a 50 W difference, which is expected given that the Xeon targets mobile workstations while the i7 is a desktop part.

The memory and cache specifications show both similarities and differences. Both support DDR4 with dual-channel memory and have identical memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. Both have the same per-core L1 (64 KB) and L2 (256 KB) cache. The L3 cache differs, with the Xeon offering 16 MB shared versus the i7’s 12 MB shared. ECC memory support is exclusive to the Xeon E-2286M; the i7-8086K does not support ECC.

Socket and platform details diverge completely. The Xeon uses Intel BGA 1440, which is a soldered mobile socket, while the i7-8086K uses Intel Socket 1151 for desktop motherboards. The multiplier is locked on the Xeon but unlocked on the i7-8086K, meaning the i7 allows overclocking while the Xeon does not. The integrated graphics differ as noted: UHD Graphics P630 on the Xeon versus UHD Graphics 630 on the i7. The Xeon also has a higher launch MSRP of $623, against the i7-8086K’s launch MSRP of $425.

Release dates show the i7-8086K came first, launching on 2018-06-04, while the Xeon E-2286M followed on 2019-05-28. Both are end-of-life products. The Xeon carries the part number SRFCZ, while the i7-8086K uses SR3QQBX80684I78086K. The i7-8086K is listed under the Core i7 40th generation (Coffee Lake) label, while the Xeon is under the Xeon E (Coffee Lake) generation.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E-2286M is the clear winner in sustained multi-threaded rendering workloads, as evidenced by its sweep of all six Cinebench tests. Its 8-core, 16-thread configuration and larger 16 MB L3 cache give it a 7.3% to 7.4% advantage in Cinebench R20 and R23 multicore tests, and a 7.1% edge in Cinebench R15 single-core. This makes it the better choice for workstation applications that rely on Cinebench-style rendering, such as 3D modeling, video encoding, and simulation tasks. The Xeon also offers ECC memory support, which is a critical feature for workstation stability and data integrity in server or scientific computing environments. Its lower TDP of 45 W makes it more suitable for compact, power-constrained mobile workstations on the Intel BGA 1440 platform.

The Intel Core i7-8086K is the winner in Geekbench workloads, taking both the multicore and single-core tests by significant margins, 14.8% and 9.4%, respectively. The i7’s 4.00 GHz base clock, which is 1.6 GHz higher than the Xeon’s, appears to give it an advantage in lightly-threaded and latency-sensitive tasks that Geekbench emphasizes. This makes the i7-8086K the better option for desktop users who prioritize single-threaded responsiveness, such as gaming, general productivity, and applications that do not scale well across many cores. The i7 also has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking beyond its 5.00 GHz boost clock for those with adequate cooling, whereas the Xeon’s multiplier is locked.

The data suggests a clear use-case split. For a system where ECC memory, low power consumption, and multi-core rendering performance are priorities, the Xeon E-2286M is the superior part. For a desktop build focused on Geekbench-style performance, overclocking headroom, and higher base clock responsiveness, the i7-8086K takes the lead. The near-identical average scores (3822 versus 3800) mean that the choice ultimately comes down to the specific benchmark suite that matters most to the user, rather than overall performance dominance.