Intel Core i7-9850HE vs Intel Xeon E3-1285 v6 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clean sweep for the Intel Core i7-9850HE across every Cinebench workload, though the margins are consistently narrow. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-9850HE scores 843 against 818 for the Xeon E3-1285 v6, a 3.1% advantage. The single-core R15 test tells a similar story: 119 versus 115, a 3.5% lead for the mobile part.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the i7-9850HE again takes multi-core with 3515 points versus 3409, exactly 3.1% ahead. The single-core R20 result shows 496 against 481, also a 3.1% gap. Cinebench R23 repeats the pattern: multi-core 8370 versus 8119, and single-core 1181 versus 1146, both at 3.1% deltas.

What is striking here is not the size of the wins but their consistency. The i7-9850HE leads by nearly the same percentage in every single test, regardless of workload scaling. This suggests the advantage comes from a fundamental architectural trait rather than workload-specific behavior. The Xeon does not win a single benchmark in this comparison, but its scores are close enough that the overall database percentile ranking for both parts is identical at 48th percentile of all CPUs.

The average benchmark score reinforces the picture: the i7-9850HE sits at 2421, while the Xeon E3-1285 v6 trails at 2348. That is a 3.0% gap in the aggregate. For context, the i7-9850HE's nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core i5-8500B at 2423 (0.1% faster) and the AMD Ryzen 5 4680U at 2424 (0.1% faster), while the Xeon's closest competitors are the Intel Core i5-9600 at 2354 (0.3% faster) and the AMD Ryzen 5 2500X at 2361 (0.5% faster). Neither chip is breaking away from its peer group; both are mid-pack performers.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from adjacent Intel architectures but are built for very different contexts. The i7-9850HE uses the Coffee Lake-HR architecture on a 14 nm process, with a die size of 149 mm². It packs 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. Its thermal design point is 45 W, reflecting its mobile BGA 1440 socket and laptop-oriented design.

The Xeon E3-1285 v6 uses Kaby Lake-DT architecture, also on 14 nm, with a slightly larger die at 160 mm² and 1,400 million transistors. It has 4 cores and 8 threads, but compensates with much higher clocks: 4.10 GHz base and 4.50 GHz boost. Its TDP is 79 W, and it mounts in the desktop Socket 1151. The production status of the Xeon is not recorded as end-of-life, while the i7-9850HE is explicitly marked as end-of-life.

Cache configurations differ in total but not in per-core allocation. Both chips use 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core. The i7-9850HE has 9 MB of shared L3, while the Xeon has 8 MB. With six cores versus four, the i7-9850HE effectively offers more L3 per core (1.5 MB versus 2 MB), but the Xeon's smaller core count means its 8 MB is spread across fewer threads.

Memory support is DDR4 dual-channel on both, but the i7-9850HE has a recorded memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while the Xeon's bandwidth is not listed. The i7-9850HE does not support ECC memory; the Xeon does. PCIe is Gen 3 on both, with the Xeon specifying 16 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics differ: the i7-9850HE carries UHD Graphics 630, the Xeon has HD Graphics P630. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Core i7-9850HE wins every multi-core Cinebench test. R15 multi-core: 843 versus 818. R20 multi-core: 3515 versus 3409. R23 multi-core: 8370 versus 8119. Each victory is by 3.1%.

Q: Does the higher clock speed of the Xeon help in single-threaded tasks?

A: No. Despite a 4.50 GHz boost clock versus 4.40 GHz on the i7-9850HE, the Xeon loses all three single-core tests. R15 single-core: 119 versus 115. R20 single-core: 496 versus 481. R23 single-core: 1181 versus 1146. The i7-9850HE leads by 3.1% to 3.5% in these.

Q: How do these chips compare to their closest rivals in the database?

A: The i7-9850HE has an average benchmark score of 2421, putting it 0.1% behind the Intel Core i5-8500B and 0.1% behind the AMD Ryzen 5 4680U, but 0.4% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U. The Xeon E3-1285 v6 averages 2348, sitting 0.3% behind the Intel Core i5-9600 and 0.5% behind the AMD Ryzen 5 2500X.

Q: What is the core and thread difference?

A: The i7-9850HE has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Xeon E3-1285 v6 has 4 cores and 8 threads. This gives the i7 a 50% core advantage, which explains its consistent multi-core lead despite lower base clocks.

Q: Can the Xeon be used in systems requiring ECC memory?

A: Yes. The Xeon E3-1285 v6 supports ECC memory. The i7-9850HE does not support ECC. This is a fundamental differentiator for workstation reliability needs.

Q: Which chip has a lower power draw?

A: The i7-9850HE has a TDP of 45 W, while the Xeon E3-1285 v6 has a TDP of 79 W. The i7 consumes less power by design, consistent with its mobile socket and lower base clock.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core i7-9850HE | Intel Xeon E3-1285 v6 |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 6 | 4 |

| Threads | 12 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.70 GHz | 4.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.40 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 79 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1440 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Kaby Lake |

| Codename | Coffee Lake-HR | Kaby Lake-DT |

| Die Size | 149 mm² | 160 mm² |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 1,400 million |

| L3 Cache | 9 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 42.7 GB/s | Not recorded |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 3 | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 630 | HD Graphics P630 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Server/Workstation |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Not recorded |

| Part Number | SRFED | SR373 |

Where Each One Wins

The i7-9850HE wins every performance benchmark in the database, but the practical context matters more than the raw scores. Its 6-core, 12-thread configuration delivers a 3.1% multi-core advantage across all Cinebench versions. The 45 W TDP makes it suitable for compact mobile platforms where thermal headroom is limited. Its 42.7 GB/s memory bandwidth is a recorded advantage, and the lack of ECC support means it targets consumer or prosumer laptops rather than mission-critical servers.

The Xeon E3-1285 v6 wins in areas the benchmarks do not measure directly. It supports ECC memory, a requirement for data integrity in workstation or server environments. Its 4.10 GHz base clock is substantially higher than the i7's 2.70 GHz, which could translate to better responsiveness in lightly threaded, latency-sensitive workloads that do not scale to 12 threads. The 79 W TDP, while higher, is acceptable in a desktop Socket 1151 board with proper cooling. Its 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU are explicitly recorded, whereas the i7's lane count is not specified. The Xeon also has a recorded release date of July 31, 2017, while the i7's release date is not in the database.

For a mobile workstation needing maximum multi-threaded throughput within a 45 W envelope, the i7-9850HE is the clear choice. For a stationary server or workstation requiring ECC memory and higher base clocks, the Xeon remains relevant despite losing every benchmark comparison.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-9850HE outperforms the Intel Xeon E3-1285 v6 in every recorded Cinebench test, with margins between 3.1% and 3.5%. It does so while consuming 45 W versus 79 W, making it the more efficient part as well. The 6-core, 12-thread design gives it a structural advantage that the Xeon's higher clocks cannot overcome.

However, the Xeon E3-1285 v6 is not without purpose. Its ECC memory support is a hard requirement for certain reliability-focused builds. Its higher base clock of 4.10 GHz means it will feel snappier in single-threaded tasks that do not use all cores, even if the benchmark numbers show the i7 winning those too. The desktop socket and 16 PCIe lanes from the CPU make it easier to integrate into a traditional workstation motherboard.

Buyers should choose the i7-9850HE if they need the best recorded multi-core performance, lower power consumption, and are building in a mobile form factor. Choose the Xeon E3-1285 v6 if ECC memory support, a higher base clock, and a desktop socket are non-negotiable requirements, and if the 3% performance deficit in Cinebench is acceptable. Both parts sit at the 48th percentile of all CPUs in the database, so neither is a high-end performer. The i7-9850HE is simply the faster chip in this head-to-head, winning all six benchmark comparisons.