Intel Core i7-8700B vs Intel Xeon W-2133 Comparison

The Intel Xeon W-2133 and Intel Core i7-8700B are both 6-core, 12-thread processors from Intel, yet they target fundamentally different platforms. The data shows the Xeon W-2133 takes a clean sweep across all six head-to-head Cinebench comparisons, while both CPUs share the same 52nd percentile ranking among all tested processors. Their average benchmark scores are nearly identical — 3087 for the Xeon versus 3086 for the Core i7 — which places them as direct peers in overall performance, despite the Xeon’s consistent edge in every individual test.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Xeon W-2133 wins all six recorded Cinebench matchups, with margins ranging from 6.9% to 7.1%. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 1075 against the Core i7-8700B’s 1005, a 7% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows a similar gap: 151 versus 141, or 7.1% in favor of the Xeon. These results indicate that the Xeon’s architectural advantages are not limited to multi-threaded workloads; even single-thread performance leans toward the workstation part.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds. The Xeon W-2133 posts 4483 in multi-core versus 4190 for the Core i7-8700B, again a 7% lead. Single-core R20 scores are 632 and 591 respectively, a 6.9% difference. The most recent Cinebench R23 results continue the trend: the Xeon achieves 10676 multi-core and 1507 single-core, while the Core i7 manages 9977 and 1408. That translates to a 7% advantage in both R23 metrics.

The consistency of these deltas is notable. Every benchmark — regardless of generation or whether it stresses one core or all six — produces nearly the same 7% gap. This suggests the Xeon’s performance advantage is systemic rather than workload-specific. The Core i7-8700B does not win a single head-to-head test in this dataset, giving the Xeon a 6-0 record. However, the average benchmark scores tell a slightly different story: the Xeon’s 3087 average is just 0.03% above the Core i7’s 3086, and both sit at the 52nd percentile. In aggregate, these chips are effectively tied, even though the Xeon wins every discrete Cinebench run.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel microarchitectures. The Xeon W-2133 uses Skylake-W, built on the Skylake architecture, while the Core i7-8700B is a Coffee Lake part. Both are fabricated on Intel’s 14 nm process, but their dies differ dramatically in size. The Xeon’s die measures 484 mm², compared to just 154 mm² for the Core i7. This reflects the Xeon’s platform positioning as a server/workstation component with a much larger physical footprint.

Cache configurations also diverge significantly. Both share a 64 KB L1 cache per core, but L2 differs: the Xeon has 1 MB per core, while the Core i7 has only 256 KB per core. L3 is where the Core i7 takes a lead — it offers 12 MB shared, versus 8.25 MB shared on the Xeon. Despite having less L3, the Xeon’s larger L2 and overall design still produce superior benchmark results in this dataset.

Memory architecture further separates the two. The Xeon W-2133 supports quad-channel DDR4 with a theoretical memory bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s. The Core i7-8700B uses dual-channel memory, delivering 42.7 GB/s — exactly half the bandwidth. Both support DDR4, but the Xeon also includes ECC memory support, while the Core i7 does not. The Xeon also offers 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, whereas the Core i7 provides only 16. The Core i7 includes integrated UHD Graphics 630; the Xeon has no integrated graphics at all.

Other platform differences include socket and TDP. The Xeon uses Intel Socket 2066 and has a 140 W TDP, while the Core i7 is soldered to Intel BGA 1440 with a 65 W TDP. Both are end-of-life products, with the Xeon released in August 2017 and the Core i7 in April 2018. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. The Xeon is classified as a Server/Workstation part, while the Core i7 targets the Desktop segment.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core Cinebench R23 score?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2133 scores 1507 in Cinebench R23 single-core, which is 7% higher than the Intel Core i7-8700B’s 1408.

Q: Do both CPUs support the same memory bandwidth?

A: No. The Xeon W-2133 supports quad-channel DDR4 with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth, while the Core i7-8700B uses dual-channel DDR4 with 42.7 GB/s.

Q: Which processor includes integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Core i7-8700B includes integrated graphics, specifically UHD Graphics 630. The Xeon W-2133 has no integrated graphics.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Xeon W-2133 has an average benchmark score of 3087, while the Core i7-8700B scores 3086. The delta between them is 0%, meaning they are statistically tied on average.

Q: Do both processors have the same L3 cache size?

A: No. The Core i7-8700B has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Xeon W-2133 has 8.25 MB shared. The Xeon compensates with 1 MB L2 per core versus 256 KB per core on the Core i7.

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2133 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i7-8700B does not.

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a clear performance hierarchy in direct comparisons, but the aggregate picture is more nuanced. The Xeon W-2133 wins every Cinebench test in this dataset, with a consistent 7% margin across R15, R20, and R23, in both single-core and multi-core runs. If raw Cinebench performance is the sole criterion, the Xeon is the unambiguous choice.

However, the average benchmark scores — 3087 versus 3086 — indicate that across a broader set of workloads, these processors perform identically. The Core i7-8700B also includes integrated graphics and a significantly lower TDP at 65 W versus 140 W, making it far more power-efficient. The Xeon counters with ECC support, quad-channel memory, and 48 PCIe lanes, all of which are workstation-focused features that do not appear in the benchmark scores.

The verdict depends on platform and feature requirements. The Xeon W-2133 is the pick for users who need ECC memory, maximum PCIe lane count, and high memory bandwidth, and who can tolerate a 140 W TDP. The Core i7-8700B is the pick for those who need integrated graphics, lower power consumption, and a smaller physical footprint, and who accept parity in average performance with a small deficit in Cinebench runs. The data shows the Xeon as the faster chip in every measured test, but the Core i7 is far from a compromise in overall capability.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon W-2133 | Intel Core i7-8700B |

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

| Base Clock | 3.60 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.90 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| TDP | 140 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 2066 | Intel BGA 1440 |

| Architecture | Skylake | Coffee Lake |

| Codename | Skylake-W | Coffee Lake |

| Die Size | 484 mm² | 154 mm² |

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

| L3 Cache | 8.25 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

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

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

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 48 Lanes | Gen 3, 16 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | None | UHD Graphics 630 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2017-08-28 | 2018-04-02 |

| Launch MSRP | $617 | $303 |

| Part Number | SR3LL | SRCX2 |

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon W-2133 wins in every benchmark category recorded in this dataset. Its strengths are most pronounced in memory-intensive and multi-threaded scenarios, given its quad-channel memory bus and 85.3 GB/s bandwidth — double the Core i7’s 42.7 GB/s. The Xeon also wins on features: ECC memory support and 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes make it suitable for workstation builds requiring error correction and extensive expansion. Its larger die and 1 MB per-core L2 cache contribute to the consistent 7% Cinebench advantage.

The Core i7-8700B wins in power efficiency and platform compactness. Its 65 W TDP is less than half the Xeon’s 140 W, making it easier to cool and integrate into small form factors via its BGA 1440 socket. The integrated UHD Graphics 630 eliminates the need for a discrete GPU in basic display tasks. Its higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz versus 3.90 GHz on the Xeon does not translate to a single-core benchmark win in this data, but it suggests headroom in short burst workloads not captured by the sustained Cinebench tests. The Core i7 also provides more L3 cache at 12 MB versus 8.25 MB.

The data shows a split personality: the Xeon is the performance winner across all measured benchmarks, while the Core i7 wins on efficiency, integrated graphics, and lower launch MSRP. Neither chip wins on average score — they are dead even at 3087 versus 3086. For users prioritizing the specific Cinebench workloads shown here, the Xeon is the better performer. For users prioritizing power draw, integrated graphics, and a more compact platform, the Core i7 is the logical pick. The choice is less about which is faster — the Xeon is — and more about which platform features matter for the intended use case.