Intel Core i7-9750HF vs Intel Xeon E-2226G Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2226G reaches a boost clock of 4.70 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-9750HF tops out at 4.50 GHz. The Xeon leads by 0.20 GHz in maximum frequency.

Q: Do both chips have the same core count?

A: Yes, both have 6 physical cores. However, the Core i7-9750HF supports 12 threads via Hyper-Threading, whereas the Xeon E-2226G has only 6 threads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the Intel Xeon E-2226G supports ECC memory. The Core i7-9750HF does not include ECC support, which is a key differentiator for workstation reliability.

Q: What is the thermal design power (TDP) difference?

A: The Xeon E-2226G has a TDP of 80 watts, while the Core i7-9750HF is rated at 45 watts. The mobile chip is significantly more power-efficient on paper.

Q: Which chip wins in multi-threaded Cinebench R23?

A: The Xeon E-2226G scores 9368 in Cinebench R23 multicore, compared to 8696 for the Core i7-9750HF. That is a 7.7% advantage for the Xeon.

Q: Are both processors based on the same architecture?

A: Yes, both are built on Coffee Lake, but the Xeon uses the Coffee Lake-S WS (workstation) variant, while the Core i7-9750HF uses Coffee Lake-HR (mobile refresh).

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs share the same fundamental Coffee Lake architecture and 14 nm process node, but they are tailored for different market segments. The Xeon E-2226G is a server/workstation part, while the Core i7-9750HF is a mobile processor.

The core topology is identical in terms of L1 and L2 cache: 64 KB per core for L1 and 256 KB per core for L2. Both also share 12 MB of L3 cache across the six cores. The die sizes are close, with the Xeon at 154 mm² and the Core i7 at 149 mm².

The biggest architectural divergence is in threading. The Xeon E-2226G has 6 cores and 6 threads, meaning each core runs a single thread. The Core i7-9750HF has 6 cores and 12 threads, enabling simultaneous multithreading. This gives the mobile chip a theoretical throughput advantage in heavily threaded workloads, yet benchmark results show the opposite, which points to the Xeon’s higher clock speeds as the dominant factor.

Memory support is similar: both use DDR4 with dual-channel buses and identical 42.7 GB/s memory bandwidth. The Xeon adds ECC memory support, a feature absent on the Core i7. PCIe support differs slightly: the Xeon specifies Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Core i7 lists Gen 3 without a lane count in the database.

Integrated graphics is another clear split. The Xeon E-2226G includes HD Graphics P630, while the Core i7-9750HF has no integrated graphics at all (null in the database). This makes the Xeon more versatile for systems without a discrete GPU, whereas the mobile part requires one.

The sockets are incompatible: the Xeon uses Intel Socket 1151, while the Core i7-9750HF uses Intel BGA 1440 (soldered). This reflects the desktop/workstation versus laptop design goals.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear winner for raw CPU performance: the Intel Xeon E-2226G takes all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons. In every recorded Cinebench test, the Xeon outperforms the Core i7-9750HF by roughly 7.7% to 8.1%. This is notable because the Core i7 has twice the thread count, yet still loses in multicore workloads.

For users building a workstation or a server that prioritizes single-threaded responsiveness and consistent multicore throughput, the Xeon E-2226G is the stronger choice. Its higher base clock (3.40 GHz vs 2.60 GHz) and higher boost clock (4.70 GHz vs 4.50 GHz) translate directly into better Cinebench scores. The inclusion of ECC memory support and integrated graphics further cements its workstation pedigree.

The Core i7-9750HF makes sense only in scenarios where the 45-watt TDP and mobile BGA socket are mandatory, such as in a laptop or compact mobile system. Its lower power envelope is an advantage, but the performance cost is real: the Xeon beats it by 672 points in Cinebench R23 multicore (9368 vs 8696) and by 95 points in single-core (1322 vs 1227). If the system can accommodate a Socket 1151 processor and an 80-watt TDP, the Xeon is the superior part.

The average benchmark scores reinforce this: the Xeon E-2226G averages 2709 across all recorded tests, while the Core i7-9750HF averages 2662. Both sit at the 50th percentile among all CPUs, but the Xeon holds a 47-point edge on average.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the Intel Xeon E-2226G and the Intel Core i7-9750HF:

• Threads: 6 (Xeon) vs 12 (Core i7)
• Base clock: 3.40 GHz (Xeon) vs 2.60 GHz (Core i7)
• Boost clock: 4.70 GHz (Xeon) vs 4.50 GHz (Core i7)
• TDP: 80 W (Xeon) vs 45 W (Core i7)
• Socket: Intel Socket 1151 (Xeon) vs Intel BGA 1440 (Core i7)
• Codename: Coffee Lake-S WS (Xeon) vs Coffee Lake-HR (Core i7)
• Generation: Xeon E (Coffee Lake) vs Core i7 (Coffee Lake-HR)
• Die size: 154 mm² (Xeon) vs 149 mm² (Core i7)
• ECC memory: Supported (Xeon) vs Not supported (Core i7)
• PCIe specification: Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) for Xeon vs Gen 3 without lane count for Core i7
• Integrated graphics: HD Graphics P630 (Xeon) vs None (Core i7)
• Market segment: Server/Workstation (Xeon) vs Mobile (Core i7)
• Release date: 2019-05-28 (Xeon) vs 2019-04-22 (Core i7)
• Launch MSRP: $255 (Xeon) vs null (Core i7)
• Part number: SRF7F (Xeon) vs SRG1T (Core i7)

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Xeon E-2226G wins all six recorded head-to-head comparisons, but the margins are consistent and modest. The largest advantage appears in single-core tests, where the Xeon leads by 8.1% in Cinebench R15 single-core (133 vs 123) and by 7.8% in R20 single-core (555 vs 515). The R23 single-core test shows a 7.7% lead (1322 vs 1227).

Multicore results are nearly identical in percentage terms. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Xeon scores 944 against 876 for the Core i7, a 7.8% difference. The R20 multicore test shows 3934 vs 3652, again a 7.7% gap. The R23 multicore test repeats that 7.7% delta with scores of 9368 and 8696.

The fact that the Core i7-9750HF has 12 threads yet loses multicore tests by nearly 8% is a strong signal that the Xeon’s clock speed advantage overcomes the threading deficit. The Xeon’s base clock is 0.80 GHz higher, which likely contributes to sustained multicore performance without thermal throttling concerns in a workstation chassis.

The Core i7-9750HF does have one benchmark category absent from the Xeon: Geekbench scores. The database records 4844 for multicore and 1365 for single-core on the mobile chip, but no Geekbench results exist for the Xeon, so no direct comparison is possible there.

In terms of average benchmark scores, the Xeon E-2226G sits at 2709, with its nearest rival being the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5650U at 2713, a delta of -0.2%. The Core i7-9750HF averages 2662, with its closest competitor being the Intel Core i7-9700T at 2668, a delta of -0.2%. Both chips land in the same performance tier, but the Xeon holds a small aggregate edge.

Overall, the recorded data shows the Xeon E-2226G as the more capable processor in every direct benchmark, despite having half the threads of the Core i7-9750HF. The only reason to choose the Core i7 would be its 45-watt TDP and mobile socket, which are not performance advantages but rather system-level constraints.