CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i9-10900TE and Intel Xeon E-2186G are two Intel processors aimed at different segments, yet they land in a similar performance class. The i9-10900TE is a 10-core, 20-thread Comet Lake part designed for low-power desktop systems, while the Xeon E-2186G is a 6-core, 12-thread Coffee Lake workstation/server chip. Benchmark data shows the i9-10900TE winning all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, with margins ranging from 4.7% to 4.9%. However, the Xeon E-2186G counters with ECC memory support and a higher launch MSRP. This analysis breaks down the architectural differences, benchmark results, and use-case scenarios based solely on the provided data.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-10900TE has 10 cores and 20 threads, while the Intel Xeon E-2186G has 6 cores and 12 threads. This gives the i9-10900TE a 4-core and 8-thread advantage.

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

A: The i9-10900TE leads in all multi-core Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 12045 versus the Xeon's 11492, a 4.8% advantage. The smallest multi-core gap is in Cinebench R15, where the i9-10900TE wins by 4.7% (1213 vs 1158).

Q: Does the Xeon E-2186G support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Xeon E-2186G supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i9-10900TE does not support ECC memory, making the Xeon the only one of the two with error-correcting code capability.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2186G has a higher boost clock at 4.70 GHz, compared to the Intel Core i9-10900TE's 4.50 GHz. Despite this, the i9-10900TE still wins all single-core benchmark tests.

Q: What are the launch MSRP values for these CPUs?

A: The Intel Core i9-10900TE has a launch MSRP of $488. The Intel Xeon E-2186G has a launch MSRP of $506.

Q: Which processor has a lower TDP?

A: The Intel Core i9-10900TE has a TDP of 35 watts, which is significantly lower than the Intel Xeon E-2186G's 95 watts. This makes the i9-10900TE more suitable for power-constrained environments.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on different architectures despite sharing the same 14 nm process node from Intel. The Intel Core i9-10900TE uses the Comet Lake architecture with the codename "Comet Lake," while the Intel Xeon E-2186G is based on Coffee Lake with the codename "Coffee Lake-S WS." Both use the same 14 nm manufacturing process and are fabricated by Intel, but the core designs differ. The i9-10900TE features a die size of 206 mm², whereas the Xeon E-2186G has a smaller die size of 154 mm².

Cache configurations also differ significantly. Both CPUs have 64 KB of L1 cache and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. However, the i9-10900TE has 20 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Xeon E-2186G has only 12 MB of shared L3 cache. This 8 MB difference in L3 cache could contribute to the i9-10900TE's performance edge in multi-threaded workloads.

Memory support shows another architectural split. Both support DDR4 memory with dual-channel buses, but the i9-10900TE has a higher memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s compared to the Xeon's 42.7 GB/s. The Xeon E-2186G supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the i9-10900TE. Integrated graphics also differ: the i9-10900TE uses UHD Graphics 630, while the Xeon E-2186G uses HD Graphics P630. Both CPUs have PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The market segments and production statuses diverge as well. The i9-10900TE is a Desktop processor that remains Active in production, released on 2020-04-29. The Xeon E-2186G is a Server/Workstation part that is End-of-life, released earlier on 2018-05-30. The i9-10900TE uses Intel Socket 1200, while the Xeon E-2186G uses Intel Socket 1151.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data shows a clear sweep for the Intel Core i9-10900TE across all six Cinebench tests, but the use cases still diverge based on other factors. The i9-10900TE wins in every performance metric recorded, including both multi-core and single-core tests. Its 10-core, 20-thread configuration provides a 4-core advantage over the Xeon, which translates to consistent wins in multi-threaded rendering tasks. The i9-10900TE also wins single-core tests despite the Xeon's higher boost clock, indicating that its architecture handles single-threaded workloads more efficiently.

The Xeon E-2186G wins in the areas of memory reliability and platform longevity. Its ECC memory support makes it the only viable choice for applications requiring error correction, such as certain server or scientific workloads. The Xeon is also a Server/Workstation segment part, suggesting it is designed for environments where stability and data integrity take priority over raw speed. Its end-of-life status means it has been on the market longer, potentially making it easier to source in existing enterprise fleets.

For power-sensitive builds, the i9-10900TE is the clear winner with a 35W TDP versus the Xeon's 95W TDP. This makes the i9-10900TE more suitable for compact or passively cooled systems where thermal output is a constraint. The Xeon's higher TDP implies it requires more substantial cooling, but it also has a higher base clock of 3.80 GHz compared to the i9-10900TE's 1.80 GHz, which could benefit lightly-threaded workloads that rely on steady clock speeds.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the Intel Core i9-10900TE and the Intel Xeon E-2186G:

• Cores: 10 (i9-10900TE) vs 6 (Xeon E-2186G)
• Threads: 20 (i9-10900TE) vs 12 (Xeon E-2186G)
• Base Clock: 1800 MHz (i9-10900TE) vs 3800 MHz (Xeon E-2186G)
• Boost Clock: 4.50 GHz (i9-10900TE) vs 4.70 GHz (Xeon E-2186G)
• TDP: 35 W (i9-10900TE) vs 95 W (Xeon E-2186G)
• Socket: Intel Socket 1200 (i9-10900TE) vs Intel Socket 1151 (Xeon E-2186G)
• Architecture: Comet Lake (i9-10900TE) vs Coffee Lake (Xeon E-2186G)
• Codename: Comet Lake (i9-10900TE) vs Coffee Lake-S WS (Xeon E-2186G)
• Generation: Core i9 (Comet Lake) (i9-10900TE) vs Xeon E (Coffee Lake) (Xeon E-2186G)
• Die Size: 206 mm² (i9-10900TE) vs 154 mm² (Xeon E-2186G)
• L3 Cache: 20 MB shared (i9-10900TE) vs 12 MB shared (Xeon E-2186G)
• Memory Bandwidth: 46.9 GB/s (i9-10900TE) vs 42.7 GB/s (Xeon E-2186G)
• ECC Memory: false (i9-10900TE) vs true (Xeon E-2186G)
• Integrated Graphics: UHD Graphics 630 (i9-10900TE) vs HD Graphics P630 (Xeon E-2186G)
• Market Segment: Desktop (i9-10900TE) vs Server/Workstation (Xeon E-2186G)
• Production Status: Active (i9-10900TE) vs End-of-life (Xeon E-2186G)
• Release Date: 2020-04-29 (i9-10900TE) vs 2018-05-30 (Xeon E-2186G)
• Launch MSRP: $488 (i9-10900TE) vs $506 (Xeon E-2186G)
• Part Number: SRJFC (i9-10900TE) vs SR3WR (Xeon E-2186G)

Both CPUs share identical L1 cache (64 KB per core), L2 cache (256 KB per core), memory type (DDR4), memory bus (Dual-channel), PCIe (Gen 3, 16 Lanes CPU only), process node (14 nm), foundry (Intel), and multiplier unlocked status (false).

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark results are decisive, with the Intel Core i9-10900TE winning all six tests and the Xeon E-2186G recording zero wins. The largest margin is a 4.9% advantage in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the i9-10900TE scores 171 against the Xeon's 163. This is notable because the Xeon has a higher boost clock of 4.70 GHz, yet the i9-10900TE still manages to outperform it in single-threaded performance.

In multi-core workloads, the i9-10900TE maintains a consistent edge of 4.7% to 4.8%. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows the i9-10900TE at 1213 versus 1158 for the Xeon, a 4.7% delta. Cinebench R20 multi-core follows the same pattern with scores of 5058 and 4826, respectively, for a 4.8% advantage. The Cinebench R23 multi-core test shows the i9-10900TE scoring 12045 against the Xeon's 11492, again a 4.8% gap. The single-core tests in R20 and R23 both show 4.8% margins, with the i9-10900TE scoring 714 and 1700 respectively, compared to the Xeon's 681 and 1622.

The average benchmark scores reflect this overall trend. The i9-10900TE has an average benchmark score of 3484, while the Xeon E-2186G is slightly lower at 3462. Both CPUs sit at the 54th percentile against all CPUs, indicating similar overall positioning. The i9-10900TE's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon D-1732TE (3486, 0% delta) and the Intel Xeon E-2246G (3492, -0.2% delta). The Xeon E-2186G's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-9700F (3464, 0% delta) and the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7730U (3456, 0.2% delta). These rival comparisons show that while the two CPUs are close in average score, the i9-10900TE holds a slight numerical edge in every direct benchmark, reinforcing its status as the higher-performing part in this comparison.