Intel Core i7-8809G vs Intel Xeon E5-2629 v3 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-8809G and Intel Xeon E5-2629 v3 represent two fundamentally different design philosophies: a compact mobile processor with integrated graphics versus a server-oriented chip built for sustained throughput. Despite the i7-8809G’s higher clock speeds and newer architecture, the benchmark data shows a clear, consistent victory for the Xeon across every single test in the comparison. The head-to-head results are unambiguous: the Xeon E5-2629 v3 wins all six benchmarks, with the i7-8809G trailing by roughly 9% in each instance. This margin is remarkably uniform, suggesting a systemic advantage in the Xeon’s execution rather than workload-specific quirks.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking aspect of this comparison is the consistency of the deltas. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 795 against the i7-8809G’s 724, a difference of -8.9% from the i7’s perspective. The single-core R15 result mirrors this exactly: 112 versus 102, again a -8.9% delta. Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds with the Xeon posting 3315 multi-core and 467 single-core, against the i7’s 3017 and 425, respectively — each showing a -9% gap. The newest Cinebench R23 test continues the trend: the Xeon reaches 7893 multi-core and 1114 single-core, while the i7 manages 7185 and 1014, both -9% behind.

What is notable is that the i7-8809G’s higher boost clock — 4.20 GHz versus 3.20 GHz — does not translate into a single-core advantage. The Xeon’s 112 R15 single-core score beats the i7’s 102, and the R23 single-core result (1114 vs 1014) shows the same margin. This suggests that raw clock speed is not the deciding factor; the Xeon’s older Haswell architecture evidently extracts more work per cycle in these tests, or the i7’s thermal constraints in a mobile package limit sustained performance. The data does not show the i7 winning a single benchmark, and the average benchmark scores reflect this: the i7-8809G averages 2307, while the Xeon averages 2283. Interestingly, the i7’s average is slightly higher despite losing every head-to-head, because its Geekbench scores (4590 multi-core, 1401 single-core) are included in its average but are not part of the head-to-head comparison. The Xeon has no Geekbench results in the data.

The percentile rankings tell a similar story. The i7-8809G sits at the 48th percentile of all CPUs, while the Xeon is at the 47th percentile. These are statistically indistinguishable positions, placing both processors in the mid-range of the overall CPU landscape. The nearest rival lists confirm this: the i7-8809G’s closest competitor is the Intel Core i5-10400H with a delta of 0.2%, while the Xeon E5-2629 v3 is 1.1% behind the i7 in average score. The Xeon’s nearest rival is the Intel Xeon D-1557 at a 0% delta, with the i7-8809G coming in at -1.1% from the Xeon’s perspective. This mutual proximity underscores that despite the Xeon’s clean sweep in the head-to-head, the overall performance envelope is quite close.

Where Each One Wins

Given the Xeon’s 6-0 sweep, the division of wins is straightforward: the Xeon E5-2629 v3 wins every compute benchmark in the comparison. This includes both multi-core and single-core variants of Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. The i7-8809G has zero wins in the head-to-head data. However, the i7-8809G does possess capabilities that the Xeon lacks entirely, which are not captured in these CPU-only benchmarks. The i7 includes integrated Radeon RX Vega M GH graphics, whereas the Xeon has no integrated graphics at all. For workloads that can leverage the GPU, the i7 opens up possibilities that the Xeon cannot address without a discrete graphics card.

The Xeon’s wins are rooted in its 8 cores and 16 threads, double the i7’s 4 cores and 8 threads. The multi-core margins (around -9%) are smaller than one might expect given the 2x core count, which indicates the i7’s higher clocks (3.10 GHz base, 4.20 GHz boost versus 2.40 GHz base, 3.20 GHz boost) partially compensate. The single-core wins for the Xeon are more surprising, as the i7’s 4.20 GHz boost should theoretically dominate a 3.20 GHz Haswell chip. The consistent -9% single-core deficit suggests the i7-8809G may be power-limited or thermally constrained in its mobile form factor, preventing it from sustaining its maximum clock in short, single-threaded bursts.

For use-case analysis, the Xeon is clearly the better choice for CPU-bound, multi-threaded server or workstation workloads. Its 20 MB of shared L3 cache, quad-channel memory bus, and 59.7 GB/s memory bandwidth are designed for data-intensive tasks. The i7-8809G, with its integrated GPU and 65W TDP, is positioned for compact mobile systems where space and power are at a premium. The i7’s Geekbench scores (4590 multi-core, 1401 single-core) are not directly compared to the Xeon, but they indicate a capable general-purpose processor. The Xeon’s ECC memory support is another clear differentiator, making it suitable for error-sensitive environments where data integrity is paramount.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2629 v3 wins all multi-core benchmarks. It scores 795 in Cinebench R15, 3315 in R20, and 7893 in R23, outperforming the Core i7-8809G by approximately 9% in each test.

Q: Does the Core i7-8809G win any benchmark in the head-to-head comparison?

A: No. The i7-8809G has zero wins across the six benchmarks, which include Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both multi-core and single-core variants. The Xeon wins all six.

Q: How do their single-core scores compare, given the i7's higher boost clock?

A: Despite the i7-8809G’s 4.20 GHz boost clock versus the Xeon’s 3.20 GHz, the Xeon wins single-core tests by the same ~9% margin. The Xeon scores 112 in R15 single-core and 1114 in R23 single-core, versus 102 and 1014 for the i7.

Q: What is the difference in their average benchmark scores?

A: The i7-8809G has an average benchmark score of 2307, while the Xeon E5-2629 v3 averages 2283. The i7 is 1.1% higher in average score, despite losing the head-to-head, because its Geekbench results are included in its average but not in the direct comparison.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Xeon E5-2629 v3 supports ECC memory, while the Core i7-8809G does not. This makes the Xeon more suitable for mission-critical server or workstation environments.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Core i7-8809G includes integrated Radeon RX Vega M GH graphics. The Xeon E5-2629 v3 has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for display output.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification. The Core i7-8809G has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2629 v3 doubles that to 8 cores and 16 threads. Clock speeds are reversed in the i7’s favor: it runs at 3.10 GHz base and 4.20 GHz boost, whereas the Xeon operates at 2.40 GHz base and 3.20 GHz boost. Thermal design power also diverges, with the i7 rated at 65W and the Xeon at 85W. The sockets are incompatible: the i7 uses Intel BGA 2270, while the Xeon uses Intel Socket 2011-3.

Cache hierarchy differs significantly. Both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, but the L3 cache is 8 MB shared on the i7 versus 20 MB shared on the Xeon. Memory support shows the Xeon’s server pedigree: it supports both DDR3 and DDR4 with a quad-channel bus and 59.7 GB/s bandwidth, while the i7 supports only DDR4 without a specified bus or bandwidth figure. ECC memory is available on the Xeon but not the i7. The Xeon also lists PCIe Gen 3 with 40 lanes (CPU only), while the i7 has no PCIe specification in the data. Integrated graphics are exclusive to the i7 (Radeon RX Vega M GH), whereas the Xeon has none. Production status differs as well: the i7 is marked Active, while the Xeon is End-of-life. Release dates are also distinct, with the i7 launching in 2018 and the Xeon in 2014.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide is generational and structural. The Core i7-8809G is built on Kaby Lake architecture (Kaby Lake G codename) using a 14 nm process node from Intel. It belongs to the Core i7 (Kaby Lake-G) generation. The Xeon E5-2629 v3 is based on Haswell architecture (Haswell-EP codename) on a 22 nm process node, also from Intel. The Xeon belongs to the Xeon E5 (Haswell-EP) generation. The i7’s process node is smaller, which typically enables higher clocks at lower power, but the data shows the Xeon’s older node still achieves superior benchmark results.

The Xeon’s die is substantial: it contains 2,600 million transistors on a 356 mm² die. No transistor count or die size is provided for the i7. This large die accommodates the Xeon’s 8 cores and 20 MB L3 cache, whereas the i7’s 4 cores share a smaller 8 MB L3. The market segments further differentiate them: the i7 is a Mobile processor, while the Xeon targets Server/Workstation. The Xeon also carries a part number (SR1XY), which the i7 lacks in the data. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not supported on either. The i7’s integrated Radeon RX Vega M GH is a defining feature, representing a hybrid design that pairs Intel CPU cores with AMD graphics, a configuration absent from the Xeon entirely. The Xeon’s ECC support, quad-channel memory, and 40 PCIe lanes are enterprise-oriented features that the i7 does not offer, reinforcing its server-centric design.