CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i7-9750HF and the Intel Xeon E-2274G represent two distinct interpretations of the Coffee Lake architecture, aimed at different market segments. The i7-9750HF is a mobile processor designed for laptops, while the Xeon E-2274G is a server/workstation part for desktop sockets. The benchmark data reveals a clear split: the Core i7 dominates in Cinebench workloads, while the Xeon wins decisively in Geekbench tests. This makes the choice between them less about raw performance and more about the specific application environment and workload characteristics.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results show a stark division in strengths. The Intel Core i7-9750HF wins six of the eight head-to-head comparisons, taking every single Cinebench test. Its advantage in these rendering workloads is consistent, with a delta of 4.9% across R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests, and similar margins in the single-core variants. This suggests that the i7-9750HF’s higher core count (6 cores versus 4) provides a tangible benefit in heavily threaded rendering tasks, and its architecture scales better even in single-threaded Cinebench runs.

In contrast, the Intel Xeon E-2274G wins both Geekbench tests, and it wins them by a substantial margin. The Xeon’s Geekbench single-core score of 1586 is 13.9% higher than the i7-9750HF’s 1365, and its multi-core score of 5174 is 6.4% ahead of the i7’s 4844. This indicates that for workloads that resemble Geekbench’s mixed integer, floating-point, and memory tests, the Xeon’s higher clock speeds and architecture optimizations give it a significant edge. The Xeon’s wins are more pronounced than the i7’s, meaning that while the i7 wins more tests, the Xeon wins its tests by a wider margin.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel’s 14 nm process node and share the Coffee Lake architecture, but they are configured very differently. The Core i7-9750HF is a mobile part with a 45 W TDP, featuring 6 cores and 12 threads. It has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. Its cache hierarchy includes 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, with a shared 12 MB L3 cache. The die size is 149 mm², and it uses the Intel BGA 1440 socket. Notably, it has no integrated graphics and does not support ECC memory.

The Xeon E-2274G is a server/workstation chip with an 83 W TDP, offering 4 cores and 8 threads. It runs at a much higher base clock of 4.00 GHz and boosts up to 4.90 GHz. Its cache is smaller, with 8 MB of shared L3 cache, and its die size is 126 mm². It uses the Intel Socket 1151 and includes integrated HD Graphics P630. Crucially, it supports ECC memory, a feature absent on the Core i7. Both processors support DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration with a theoretical bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, and both use PCIe Gen 3, though the Xeon specifies 16 lanes (CPU only) while the i7 does not specify a lane count. The Xeon also carries a launch MSRP of $328, while the i7 has no listed launch MSRP.

The core count difference is the most obvious architectural split. The i7-9750HF has 50% more cores and 50% more threads than the Xeon E-2274G. However, the Xeon compensates with significantly higher clock speeds, a 54% higher base clock and a 9% higher boost clock. This trade-off between core count and clock speed is the primary driver of the benchmark divergence.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R23 multi-core test is the largest win for the Core i7-9750HF. It scores 8696 against the Xeon E-2274G’s 8289, a 4.9% advantage. This is a clear demonstration of the i7’s multi-threading capability. In the Cinebench R20 multi-core test, the i7 scores 3652 versus 3481 for the Xeon, again a 4.9% delta. The pattern holds in Cinebench R15 multi-core, with the i7 at 876 and the Xeon at 835. The i7 also wins every single-core Cinebench test, though by the same 4.9% margin, with scores of 515 vs 491 in R20 and 123 vs 117 in R15.

The Xeon E-2274G’s victories are more substantial. Its Geekbench single-core score of 1586 is 13.9% higher than the i7-9750HF’s 1365. This is the single largest performance gap in either direction across all tests. In Geekbench multi-core, the Xeon scores 5174 versus 4844 for the i7, a 6.4% difference. These results are particularly interesting because Geekbench is often considered a more general-purpose benchmark than Cinebench, which is heavily optimized for rendering. The Xeon’s higher clocks and architectural tweaks for workstation use appear to give it a significant advantage in these more diverse workloads.

The data reveals an inverse relationship: the i7-9750HF wins all rendering tests by a narrow but consistent margin, while the Xeon E-2274G wins all Geekbench tests by a much larger margin. The average benchmark scores reflect this balance, with the i7 at 2662 and the Xeon at 2643. The i7’s nearest rival, the Intel Xeon E5-4650 v3, scores 2664, a 0.1% difference. The Xeon E-2274G’s closest competitor is the Intel Core i7-5820K at 2642, a 0.1% difference. Both processors sit at the 50th and 49th percentile respectively, indicating they are firmly mid-pack performers overall.

The Verdict

From the data, the choice depends entirely on the workload and platform constraints. The Intel Core i7-9750HF is the better option for users who prioritize Cinebench-style rendering performance. Its six cores provide a measurable advantage in multi-threaded rendering, and it also wins the single-core Cinebench tests. This makes it a strong candidate for mobile workstations where rendering is a primary task. However, its lack of ECC memory support and integrated graphics, combined with its mobile BGA socket, limits its use to laptops or specialized mobile systems.

The Intel Xeon E-2274G is the clear winner for Geekbench-style workloads. Its 13.9% lead in single-core and 6.4% lead in multi-core Geekbench scores suggest it is better suited for general-purpose computing, database work, and applications that benefit from high clock speeds and strong single-thread performance. Its support for ECC memory is a critical feature for workstations and servers where data integrity is paramount. The Xeon also includes integrated graphics, which can be useful for basic display output without a dedicated GPU. Its desktop Socket 1151 makes it easier to integrate into a standard workstation build.

There is no universal winner. The i7-9750HF wins more tests, but the Xeon E-2274G wins the tests that matter for its target market by larger margins. The i7’s 6 wins out of 8 head-to-head tests are all narrow 4.9% margins, while the Xeon’s 2 wins are 6.4% and 13.9% margins. This suggests the Xeon is more dominant in its areas of strength. For a user building a workstation with a focus on ECC memory and general application performance, the Xeon E-2274G is the data-backed choice. For a mobile platform focused on Cinebench rendering, the i7-9750HF is the superior option.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i7-9750HF has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Xeon E-2274G has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon E-2274G support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon E-2274G supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i7-9750HF does not.

Q: Which CPU performs better in Geekbench single-core tests?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2274G wins Geekbench single-core with a score of 1586, which is 13.9% higher than the Intel Core i7-9750HF’s score of 1365.

Q: What is the performance difference in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i7-9750HF scores 8696, which is 4.9% higher than the Intel Xeon E-2274G’s score of 8289.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock speed?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2274G has a boost clock of 4.90 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-9750HF has a boost clock of 4.50 GHz.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-9750HF have integrated graphics?

A: No, the Intel Core i7-9750HF has no integrated graphics. The Intel Xeon E-2274G includes HD Graphics P630.