Intel Core i7-8700T vs Intel Xeon W-2125 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-8700T has a higher average benchmark score of 2701, compared to the Intel Xeon W-2125's average of 2623. The i7-8700T also sits in the 50th percentile of all CPUs, while the Xeon sits in the 49th percentile.

Q: How do the two processors compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The Core i7-8700T wins the multi-core Cinebench R23 test with a score of 8698, which is 2.8% higher than the Xeon W-2125's score of 8455. This is the largest percentage gap in any multi-core test between the two.

Q: Which processor offers a higher boost clock?

A: The Xeon W-2125 has a higher boost clock at 4.50 GHz, while the Core i7-8700T boosts to 4.00 GHz. However, the higher boost clock does not translate into benchmark victories; the i7-8700T wins all eight recorded head-to-head comparisons.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No, only the Xeon W-2125 supports ECC memory. This is a distinguishing feature for the server/workstation segment, whereas the Core i7-8700T lacks ECC support.

Q: What are the thread counts for each CPU?

A: The Xeon W-2125 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Core i7-8700T has 6 cores and 12 threads. The i7-8700T therefore has 50% more cores and 50% more threads.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth between them?

A: The Xeon W-2125 supports quad-channel memory with a bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s, while the Core i7-8700T supports dual-channel memory with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The Xeon has double the memory bandwidth.

Architecture Differences

The two processors, while both built by Intel on a 14 nm process, represent distinct architectural branches. The Xeon W-2125 belongs to the Skylake-W family, a derivative of the Skylake architecture intended for the server and workstation market. Its die size is substantial at 484 mm², reflecting the larger physical package and platform requirements.

The Core i7-8700T, in contrast, is a Coffee Lake desktop part with a much smaller die size of 154 mm². Both CPUs share the same 14 nm process node and manufacturing foundry, but the core configurations differ significantly. The Xeon W-2125 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Core i7-8700T has 6 cores and 12 threads, giving the latter a core and thread advantage.

Cache layouts also diverge. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core, but the L2 cache differs: the Xeon has 1 MB per core, while the i7-8700T has 256 KB per core. The shared L3 cache is larger on the i7-8700T at 12 MB, compared to the Xeon's 8.25 MB. This suggests the i7-8700T is designed to feed its extra cores with a larger collective pool of cache.

Platform integration is another major architectural split. The Xeon W-2125 uses the Intel Socket 2066 platform, which provides a quad-channel memory bus and 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU. The Core i7-8700T uses Intel Socket 1151, which restricts it to a dual-channel memory bus and 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. The Xeon's platform is clearly geared toward expansion and memory throughput, while the i7-8700T's platform is more typical of a mainstream desktop.

The Xeon also includes integrated ECC memory support, a feature absent on the Core i7-8700T. Conversely, the Core i7-8700T includes integrated UHD Graphics 630, while the Xeon W-2125 has no integrated graphics unit. The Xeon's market segment is listed as Server/Workstation, whereas the i7-8700T is listed as Desktop.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clean sweep. The Intel Core i7-8700T wins all eight head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the Intel Xeon W-2125. This is not a marginal set of wins; the margins are consistent across different rendering and compute workloads.

In Cinebench R15, the i7-8700T scores 876 in multi-core against the Xeon's 852, a margin of 2.7%. The single-core test shows a narrower gap: the i7-8700T scores 123, the Xeon 120, a 2.4% difference. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core scores are 3653 for the i7-8700T and 3551 for the Xeon, a 2.8% lead. The single-core R20 result sees the i7-8700T ahead by 2.7%, scoring 515 versus 501.

Cinebench R23, which is the most modern rendering workload in the database, shows the largest multi-core margin of the set. The i7-8700T scores 8698, while the Xeon scores 8455, a 2.8% advantage. The single-core R23 result is a 2.9% lead for the i7-8700T, with scores of 1228 and 1193 respectively.

Geekbench results follow the same pattern. In the multi-core test, the i7-8700T scores 5168 against the Xeon's 4988, a 3.5% win. This is the largest percentage delta in the entire comparison. The single-core Geekbench test shows the i7-8700T scoring 1343 versus 1323, a 1.5% lead, which is the narrowest margin recorded.

The data indicates that the Core i7-8700T's advantages are consistent across both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads. Despite the Xeon's higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz versus 4.00 GHz, the i7-8700T still manages to outperform it in every single-core test. The multi-core results are particularly telling: the i7-8700T's two additional cores and four additional threads provide a measurable, if modest, advantage in rendering tasks.

Specification Differences

The specifications diverge on nearly every major feature. The most obvious difference is the core count: the Core i7-8700T has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Xeon W-2125 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The i7-8700T also has a larger shared L3 cache at 12 MB, compared to the Xeon's 8.25 MB.

Clock speeds tell a different story. The Xeon W-2125 has a base clock of 4.00 GHz, which is significantly higher than the i7-8700T's base clock of 2.40 GHz. The boost clocks are closer, with the Xeon boosting to 4.50 GHz and the i7-8700T boosting to 4.00 GHz.

Power consumption is a stark contrast. The Xeon W-2125 has a TDP of 120 watts, while the Core i7-8700T has a TDP of just 35 watts. This is a 3.4x difference in thermal design power, which has major implications for cooling requirements and system power draw.

The memory subsystem is another key differentiator. The Xeon supports quad-channel DDR4 with a memory bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s. The i7-8700T supports dual-channel DDR4 with a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, exactly half the bandwidth of the Xeon.

PCIe lane allocation also differs substantially. The Xeon provides 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the i7-8700T provides only 16. The sockets are different as well: the Xeon uses Intel Socket 2066, and the i7-8700T uses Intel Socket 1151.

Integrated graphics are present only on the i7-8700T, which includes UHD Graphics 630. The Xeon has no integrated graphics. ECC memory support is exclusive to the Xeon. The Xeon has a launch MSRP of $444, while the i7-8700T has no recorded launch MSRP in the database.

Where Each One Wins

The Core i7-8700T wins in every benchmark category recorded in the database. It is faster in single-core tests across Cinebench R15, R20, R23, and Geekbench. It is also faster in multi-core tests across the same suite. This is a comprehensive performance victory.

For workloads that depend on raw processor speed, the i7-8700T is the better choice. Rendering tasks in Cinebench, which stress both single-core and multi-core performance, show the i7-8700T ahead by margins ranging from 1.5% to 3.5%. General compute tasks measured by Geekbench also favor the i7-8700T.

The Xeon W-2125 wins in platform capabilities, not in processor speed. It offers quad-channel memory support, doubling the memory bandwidth of the i7-8700T. It also provides 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, which is three times the lane count of the i7-8700T. For systems that need extensive expansion cards, high-bandwidth storage, or multiple GPUs, the Xeon's platform is superior.

The Xeon also has ECC memory support, which is critical for certain server and workstation applications where data integrity is paramount. The i7-8700T lacks this feature entirely.

The i7-8700T wins on power efficiency. Its 35 watt TDP is dramatically lower than the Xeon's 120 watt TDP. This makes it suitable for compact systems, small form factor builds, or environments where heat output and power consumption are primary concerns.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous. The Intel Core i7-8700T outperforms the Intel Xeon W-2125 in every recorded test. The i7-8700T leads by 1.5% to 3.5% across all eight benchmarks, with the largest advantage in Geekbench multi-core and the smallest in Geekbench single-core.

For users who prioritize raw compute performance, the Core i7-8700T is the clear choice. It has more cores, more threads, and a larger L3 cache, and it delivers higher scores in both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads. Its lower TDP of 35 watts also makes it significantly easier to cool and power.

The Xeon W-2125 is not without merit, but its advantages are entirely in platform features rather than performance. It offers quad-channel memory with 85.3 GB/s of bandwidth, 48 PCIe lanes, and ECC support. These features make it the better foundation for a workstation or server system that requires high memory throughput and extensive I/O expansion.

The decision hinges on the intended use case. If the goal is maximum processor throughput in a standard desktop environment, the Core i7-8700T is the better processor based on the recorded data. If the goal is a expandable platform with ECC reliability and high memory bandwidth, the Xeon W-2125 offers capabilities that the i7-8700T cannot match.

The data suggests that the Core i7-8700T is the faster processor, and the Xeon W-2125 is the more capable platform. Neither processor dominates the other in all respects, but for pure computational performance, the i7-8700T wins decisively.