Intel Core i7-9700F vs Intel Xeon E-2146G Comparison

The Intel Core i7-9700F and Intel Xeon E-2146G are both 14 nm Coffee Lake parts on the same Intel Socket 1151, but they target different market segments. The i7-9700F is a desktop processor with 8 cores and 8 threads, while the Xeon E-2146G is a server/workstation chip with 6 cores and 12 threads. Head-to-head benchmark data shows a narrow overall lead for the Xeon, which wins 7 of 8 tests, but the i7-9700F takes one decisive victory in Geekbench multi-core.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head results cover eight benchmark tests. The Xeon E-2146G wins seven of them, but every one of those wins is small. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 1130 against the i7-9700F's 1126, a margin of 0.4%. The single-core R15 test is similarly close: 159 versus 158, a 0.6% edge for the Xeon. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 4709 versus 4693, a 0.3% lead, and R20 single-core is 664 versus 662, also 0.3%. Cinebench R23 multi-core gives 11214 versus 11176, a 0.3% difference, and R23 single-core is 1583 versus 1577, a 0.4% margin. In Geekbench single-core, the Xeon leads 1540 to 1509, a 2% advantage.

The one test the i7-9700F wins is Geekbench multi-core, and it wins by a wide margin. The i7 scores 6807, while the Xeon scores 6283. That is an 8.3% difference, the largest delta in the entire head-to-head set. The i7's multi-core Geekbench result stands out because it is the only test where the i7 leads, and the lead is substantial. The Xeon's seven wins are all under 2%, and most are under 1%. So while the Xeon is the more consistent winner, the i7's single victory is far more pronounced.

The pattern suggests that the i7-9700F's 8 physical cores without hyperthreading perform better in Geekbench's multi-threaded workload, while the Xeon's 6 cores with 12 threads, combined with a higher base clock of 3.50 GHz versus 3.00 GHz, give it a slight edge in Cinebench and single-threaded tasks. The Xeon's boost clock is lower at 4.50 GHz versus 4.70 GHz, but that does not prevent it from taking the single-core tests.

The Verdict

Based on the data, the Xeon E-2146G is the better overall performer in the majority of benchmarks. It wins 7 of 8 head-to-head tests, and its margins, while small, are consistent across Cinebench and single-core Geekbench. The i7-9700F, however, has a clear advantage in Geekbench multi-core, where it is 8.3% ahead. For users who rely on Geekbench multi-core scores, the i7 is the obvious choice. For Cinebench workloads and single-threaded tasks, the Xeon holds a slight but repeatable edge.

The Xeon also brings two features the i7 lacks: ECC memory support and integrated graphics (HD Graphics P630). The i7 has no integrated graphics and no ECC. The i7 does have a lower TDP of 65 W versus 80 W, and a higher boost clock of 4.70 GHz versus 4.50 GHz. The i7 has more physical cores (8 versus 6) but fewer threads (8 versus 12). The Xeon's higher thread count and higher base clock likely explain its Cinebench wins despite having fewer cores.

The verdict is straightforward: pick the Xeon E-2146G for ECC memory, integrated graphics, and the majority of benchmark wins. Pick the i7-9700F for Geekbench multi-core performance and lower power draw.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 14 nm process and use the Coffee Lake architecture. The i7-9700F is listed as Coffee Lake with a generation of "Core i7 (Coffee Lake Refresh)", while the Xeon E-2146G is Coffee Lake-S WS with a generation of "Xeon E (Coffee Lake)". The process node is identical, and both use the same Intel Socket 1151.

The cache hierarchy is the same: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. Memory support is also identical: DDR4, dual-channel, with a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. Both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The die size differs. The i7-9700F has a die size of 180.3 mm², while the Xeon E-2146G is 154 mm². This is notable because the i7 has more cores (8 versus 6) but a larger die. The Xeon's smaller die likely reflects its lower core count and possibly a different layout for the integrated graphics and ECC logic.

The Xeon includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics P630), while the i7-9700F has none. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, which the i7 does not. The market segments differ: the i7 is a Desktop part, while the Xeon is Server/Workstation. The release dates are different as well: the i7 launched on 2019-04-22, and the Xeon on 2018-07-11.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several specification fields. The i7-9700F has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the Xeon E-2146G has 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks are 3.00 GHz for the i7 and 3.50 GHz for the Xeon. Boost clocks are 4.70 GHz and 4.50 GHz, respectively. TDP is 65 W for the i7 and 80 W for the Xeon.

Die size is 180.3 mm² for the i7 and 154 mm² for the Xeon. ECC memory support is false for the i7 and true for the Xeon. Integrated graphics are absent on the i7 and present as HD Graphics P630 on the Xeon. The market segment is Desktop for the i7 and Server/Workstation for the Xeon. Release dates are 2019-04-22 for the i7 and 2018-07-11 for the Xeon. The launch MSRP is $333 for the i7-9700F and $317 for the Xeon E-2146G. Part numbers are SRG14 for the i7 and SR3WT for the Xeon. The generation and codename also differ, as noted in the architecture section.

All other specifications are identical: socket, process node, foundry, L1/L2/L3 cache, memory type, memory bus, memory bandwidth, PCIe version and lanes, and the fact that both have locked multipliers.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i7-9700F has 8 cores, while the Intel Xeon E-2146G has 6 cores.

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: The Xeon E-2146G supports ECC memory, while the i7-9700F does not.

Q: Which CPU has integrated graphics?

A: The Xeon E-2146G includes HD Graphics P630, while the i7-9700F has no integrated graphics.

Q: Which CPU won Geekbench multi-core?

A: The i7-9700F won Geekbench multi-core with a score of 6807, compared to the Xeon's 6283, an 8.3% lead.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The i7-9700F has a boost clock of 4.70 GHz, while the Xeon E-2146G has a boost clock of 4.50 GHz.

Q: Which CPU has a higher TDP?

A: The Xeon E-2146G has a TDP of 80 W, while the i7-9700F has a TDP of 65 W.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-9700F wins in Geekbench multi-core, where it is 8.3% ahead of the Xeon. It also has a higher boost clock (4.70 GHz versus 4.50 GHz), a lower TDP (65 W versus 80 W), and more physical cores (8 versus 6). For workloads that scale with core count and respond to Geekbench's multi-threaded test, the i7 is the better choice. Its lower power draw also makes it more suitable for compact desktop builds.

The Xeon E-2146G wins in every Cinebench test (R15, R20, R23, both multi-core and single-core) and in Geekbench single-core. Its margins are small, but they are consistent. The Xeon also offers ECC memory support and integrated graphics, which are important for workstation and server environments where data integrity and a display output without a discrete GPU are required. Its higher base clock (3.50 GHz) and 12 threads give it an edge in single-threaded and lightly threaded tasks.

For a desktop user focused on Geekbench multi-core performance and lower power consumption, the i7-9700F is the clear pick. For a workstation or server user who needs ECC, integrated graphics, and a slight edge across most benchmark suites, the Xeon E-2146G is the better option. The data shows a split: the i7 wins one test by a large margin, the Xeon wins seven by small margins. The choice depends on which benchmark matters most.