Intel Core i7-980 vs Intel Xeon E-2124 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-980 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Xeon E-2124 has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Core i7-980 also features Hyper-Threading, which doubles its thread count.

Q: How do the two processors compare in single-core performance?

A: The Core i7-980 wins all single-core tests, but by narrow margins. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 83 versus 81 for the Xeon E-2124, a 2.5% advantage. In R20, the gap is 346 to 339, and in R23 it is 826 to 809, both showing a 2.1% lead.

Q: What is the difference in multi-core benchmark scores?

A: The Core i7-980 leads in every multi-core test. In Cinebench R15, it scores 589 versus 577, a 2.1% difference. In R20, the scores are 2458 versus 2408, and in R23 they are 5853 versus 5734, both also showing a 2.1% advantage.

Q: Does the Xeon support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Xeon E-2124 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i7-980 does not. The Xeon also uses DDR4 memory with dual-channel support, whereas the Core i7-980 uses DDR3 with triple-channel support.

Q: What are the integrated graphics options?

A: The Xeon E-2124 includes Intel UHD Graphics P630. The Core i7-980 has no integrated graphics, so a discrete GPU is required for display output.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Xeon E-2124 boosts to 4.30 GHz, while the Core i7-980 boosts to 3.60 GHz. However, the Core i7-980 has a slightly higher base clock at 3.33 GHz versus 3.30 GHz.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and design philosophies. The Intel Core i7-980 is built on the Westmere architecture, specifically the Gulftown codename, using a 32 nm process node. It is a desktop part from the Core i7 generation, released in 2011. The die size is 239 mm² and it contains 1,170 million transistors. The Xeon E-2124, in contrast, belongs to the Xeon E-2100 series, uses the Coffee Lake architecture with the Coffee Lake-S WS codename, and is fabricated on a 14 nm process. Its die size is 126 mm², and it was released in 2018 for the server and workstation market.

The memory subsystems differ significantly. The Core i7-980 supports DDR3 memory with a triple-channel bus, while the Xeon E-2124 supports DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and a recorded memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, a critical feature for workstation reliability that the Core i7-980 lacks. PCIe support also differs: the Core i7-980 uses Gen 2, while the Xeon E-2124 uses Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

Cache layouts are similar in structure but differ in total capacity. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The Core i7-980 has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, whereas the Xeon E-2124 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core i7-980 draws 130 W TDP, while the Xeon E-2124 is far more efficient at 71 W. The sockets are incompatible: the Core i7-980 uses Intel Socket 1366, and the Xeon E-2124 uses Intel Socket 1151.

The integrated graphics situation is another clear divide. The Xeon E-2124 includes UHD Graphics P630, making it a self-contained option for basic display tasks. The Core i7-980 has no integrated graphics at all, so it requires a separate graphics card even for simple output. Both processors have locked multipliers, so neither supports overclocking through multiplier adjustment.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a consistent pattern across all six Cinebench tests: the Intel Core i7-980 wins every single one. The margins are uniform, hovering around 2.1% to 2.5%. This consistency suggests that the performance gap is structural rather than workload-specific.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Core i7-980 scores 589 against 577 for the Xeon E-2124, a 2.1% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows the largest relative gap, with 83 versus 81, a 2.5% lead. This is notable because the Xeon E-2124 has a significantly higher boost clock of 4.30 GHz versus 3.60 GHz. Despite that clock advantage, the older Core i7-980 still manages to edge out the Xeon in single-threaded work, likely due to differences in architecture efficiency and cache size.

The R20 results mirror the R15 pattern. Multicore scores are 2458 for the Core i7-980 and 2408 for the Xeon, again a 2.1% difference. Single-core R20 shows 346 versus 339, a 2.1% lead. The R23 tests continue the trend: 5853 versus 5734 for multicore and 826 versus 809 for single-core, both with a 2.1% delta.

The fact that the Core i7-980 wins the multicore tests despite having fewer cores than would be expected from its thread count advantage is interesting. The Core i7-980 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Xeon has 4 cores and 4 threads. A simple core-count ratio would suggest a much larger lead, but the benchmark results show only a 2.1% margin. This indicates that the Xeon's higher boost clock and newer architecture help it narrow the gap. The Core i7-980's 12 MB of L3 cache versus 8 MB may also contribute to its sustained performance in multi-threaded workloads.

The average benchmark scores place the Core i7-980 at 1693 and the Xeon E-2124 at 1658. Both CPUs sit at the 40th percentile among all CPUs in the database. The Core i7-980's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 3750H, which scores 1690 and trails by 0.2%, and the Intel Core i7-3770K, which scores 1688 and trails by 0.3%. The Xeon E-2124's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-4770HQ at 1660 (0.1% behind) and the Intel Core i5-4670K at 1656 (0.2% ahead). These data points show that both processors are clustered in the same performance tier, with the Core i7-980 holding a slight edge.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification category. The Core i7-980 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Xeon E-2124 has 4 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are nearly identical at 3.33 GHz and 3.30 GHz, but boost clocks diverge sharply: 3.60 GHz for the Core i7-980 versus 4.30 GHz for the Xeon. TDP is another major differentiator, with the Core i7-980 drawing 130 W and the Xeon drawing only 71 W.

Memory support is entirely different. The Core i7-980 uses DDR3 with a triple-channel bus; the Xeon E-2124 uses DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and has a measured bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. ECC memory is supported only on the Xeon. PCIe generations differ, with Gen 2 for the Core i7-980 and Gen 3 for the Xeon, the latter also specifying 16 CPU lanes.

Cache capacities differ at the L3 level: 12 MB shared for the Core i7-980 versus 8 MB shared for the Xeon E-2124. L1 and L2 caches are identical at 64 KB and 256 KB per core. The process node is 32 nm for the Core i7-980 and 14 nm for the Xeon. Die sizes are 239 mm² and 126 mm² respectively. Transistor count is only listed for the Core i7-980 at 1,170 million.

Integrated graphics are present only on the Xeon E-2124, with UHD Graphics P630. The Core i7-980 has none. Market segments differ: Desktop for the Core i7-980, Server/Workstation for the Xeon. Release dates are 2011 for the Core i7-980 and 2018 for the Xeon. The Xeon has a launch MSRP of $198. Both are end-of-life products, and both have locked multipliers.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-980 outperforms the Intel Xeon E-2124 in every benchmark recorded. Across all six Cinebench tests, the Core i7-980 leads by 2.1% or 2.5%. The average benchmark score reinforces this, with 1693 versus 1658. If raw performance is the only criterion, the Core i7-980 is the stronger choice.

However, the Xeon E-2124 is not without its own advantages. It supports ECC memory, which is essential for error-free computing in server and workstation environments. It also includes integrated graphics, eliminating the need for a separate GPU in basic configurations. Its TDP of 71 W is substantially lower than 130 W, making it more power-efficient and easier to cool. The Xeon also supports DDR4 memory and PCIe Gen 3, both of which are newer standards than the DDR3 and PCIe Gen 2 found on the Core i7-980.

The choice comes down to priorities. For tasks where single-threaded speed and ECC reliability matter, the Xeon E-2124 offers a modern feature set with a minimal performance penalty. For users who need maximum multi-threaded throughput and can tolerate older memory and PCIe standards, the Core i7-980 is the better performer. The benchmark deltas are small, so the decision should be driven by platform requirements rather than raw speed alone.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core i7-980: This processor wins every benchmark test in the database, both single-core and multi-core. Its 6-core, 12-thread configuration provides more parallel processing capacity than the Xeon's 4 cores and 4 threads. The larger 12 MB L3 cache gives it an edge in workloads that benefit from more on-die storage. It is the better choice for multi-threaded rendering tasks, as evidenced by its higher Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore scores. Its triple-channel DDR3 memory interface offers more memory channels, which can help in bandwidth-sensitive applications. Users who already have a Socket 1366 platform or who prioritize raw compute performance over efficiency will find this processor more capable.

Intel Xeon E-2124: The Xeon's strengths lie outside raw benchmark scores. It supports ECC memory, which is a non-negotiable requirement for many workstation and server applications where data integrity is paramount. It has integrated UHD Graphics P630, so it can function in systems without a discrete GPU. Its 4.30 GHz boost clock is the highest of the two, which helps it stay competitive in single-threaded tasks despite losing those benchmarks by small margins. The 71 W TDP makes it suitable for compact or passively cooled systems where thermal output is a concern. DDR4 memory support and PCIe Gen 3 connectivity are modern standards that offer better upgrade paths. The Xeon also has a lower launch MSRP of $198, which may appeal to build planners working within a defined budget. For server environments that require ECC reliability and lower power consumption, the Xeon E-2124 is the more appropriate choice.