Intel Core i9-10920X vs Intel Xeon D-2775TE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded benchmark data shows a remarkably consistent picture: the Intel Xeon D-2775TE wins every single head-to-head comparison, though by a modest margin. Across all six Cinebench tests, the Xeon D-2775TE leads the Core i9-10920X by nearly the same percentage, between 5.7% and 5.8%. This uniformity suggests a fundamental efficiency advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

In multi-core workloads, the Xeon D-2775TE posts 2338 in Cinebench R15 multi-core versus 2203 for the Core i9-10920X, a 5.8% gap. The delta grows slightly in absolute terms as the workload scales. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the Xeon scores 9745 against 9181, again a 5.8% difference. The largest absolute gap appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Xeon D-2775TE reaches 23204 while the Core i9-10920X manages 21861. That 1343-point spread is the widest in any test, but it still translates to the same 5.8% relative margin.

Single-core results follow the same pattern. The Xeon D-2775TE leads 330 to 311 in Cinebench R15 single-core, 1375 to 1296 in R20 single-core, and 3275 to 3086 in R23 single-core. The percentage deltas are 5.8%, 5.7%, and 5.8% respectively. Notably, the Core i9-10920X has a much higher boost clock on paper, but the benchmark data does not reflect that advantage. The Xeon's newer architecture evidently closes the clock-speed gap in actual measured performance.

The aggregate benchmark averages reinforce this outcome. The Xeon D-2775TE carries an average benchmark score of 6711 across its tested workloads, while the Core i9-10920X averages 6347. That is a 5.4% overall difference, consistent with the individual test deltas. The Core i9-10920X records zero wins in the head-to-head set; all six go to the Xeon D-2775TE.

Context from the nearest rivals helps calibrate these scores. The Core i9-10920X sits at the 62nd percentile among all CPUs, with an average score of 6347. Its closest competitor, the AMD EPYC 7551, scores 6391, a 0.7% difference in the EPYC's favor. The Ryzen 3 3100U is 1.6% behind at 6247, and the Threadripper 1950X trails by 1.9% at 6231. The Intel Core i7-12800HE leads by 1.9% at 6467. The Xeon D-2775TE also lands at the 62nd percentile, but with a higher average of 6711. Its rivals cluster tightly: the Xeon Gold 5317 matches at 6710 (0.0% delta), the EPYC 72F3 is 0.2% behind at 6700, and the Core i9-9940X trails by 0.8% at 6657. Only the Threadripper 2970WX beats it, and by just 0.7% at 6760.

What stands out is that both CPUs occupy the same percentile rank, yet the Xeon D-2775TE achieves a higher average score with lower power consumption on paper. The benchmark data shows the Xeon is consistently ahead, but not by a landslide. For users comparing these two, the Xeon D-2775TE is the clear performance winner in every measured metric, though the margin is narrow enough that other factors may matter more.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU wins in multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Xeon D-2775TE wins every multi-core test. It scores 2338, 9745, and 23204 in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core respectively, versus 2203, 9181, and 21861 for the Intel Core i9-10920X. The margin is 5.8% in each case.

Q: Is the Core i9-10920X better in single-core workloads?

A: No. The Xeon D-2775TE also leads single-core tests, scoring 330, 1375, and 3275 in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 single-core. The Core i9-10920X trails with 311, 1296, and 3086, a consistent 5.7% to 5.8% deficit.

Q: How do their overall average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Xeon D-2775TE has an average benchmark score of 6711, while the Core i9-10920X averages 6347. Both CPUs sit at the 62nd percentile among all tested processors, so they are in the same performance tier overall.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each?

A: The Intel Core i9-10920X has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Xeon D-2775TE has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Xeon's extra cores likely contribute to its multi-core lead.

Q: Do they both support the same memory configuration?

A: Both support DDR4 memory with a quad-channel memory bus. The Xeon D-2775TE has a recorded memory bandwidth of 93.9 GB/s, while the Core i9-10920X has no bandwidth figure listed.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The Core i9-10920X has a listed boost clock of 4.80 GHz, compared to 3.10 GHz for the Xeon D-2775TE. Despite this clock advantage, the Xeon still wins every benchmark in the head-to-head data.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel families and process nodes. The Core i9-10920X uses Cascade Lake architecture on a 14 nm process, produced by Intel. The Xeon D-2775TE uses Ice Lake architecture on a 10 nm process, also produced by Intel. The newer 10 nm node gives the Xeon a density and efficiency edge, which shows in the benchmark results despite the Core i9's higher clocks.

Cache layouts differ notably. The Core i9-10920X has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 1 MB of L2 cache per core, with 19.25 MB of shared L3 cache. The Xeon D-2775TE has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 25 MB of shared L3. The Xeon's larger per-core caches and bigger L3 pool help it sustain higher throughput in multi-threaded work.

The memory controller also differs. Both support DDR4 with a quad-channel bus, but only the Xeon D-2775TE has ECC memory support. The Core i9-10920X does not support ECC. The Xeon also lists a specific memory bandwidth of 93.9 GB/s, a figure absent for the Core i9.

PCIe capabilities separate them further. The Core i9-10920X uses PCIe Gen 3, while the Xeon D-2775TE uses PCIe Gen 4 with 32 lanes from the CPU. The newer PCIe standard doubles the per-lane bandwidth, which matters for storage and accelerator workloads.

The sockets are incompatible. The Core i9-10920X fits Intel Socket 2066, a traditional desktop HEDT platform. The Xeon D-2775TE uses Intel BGA 2579, a ball-grid array typically soldered to a server board. That physical difference dictates entirely different platforms.

The Core i9-10920X has an unlocked multiplier, meaning it supports overclocking. The Xeon D-2775TE is locked. The Core i9 is also classified as a desktop part, while the Xeon D-2775TE targets server and workstation use.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts differ: 12 cores and 24 threads for the Core i9-10920X versus 16 cores and 32 threads for the Xeon D-2775TE. That is a 4-core, 8-thread advantage for the Xeon.

Clock speeds tell a different story. The Core i9-10920X has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The Xeon D-2775TE has a base clock of 2000.00 MHz (2.00 GHz) and a boost clock of 3.10 GHz. The Core i9 is substantially faster on paper, yet loses in all measured benchmarks.

Thermal design power differs significantly. The Core i9-10920X has a TDP of 165 W, while the Xeon D-2775TE has a TDP of 100 W. The Xeon delivers better benchmark scores at a lower power envelope, a direct result of the 10 nm process.

Memory support shows differences in ECC capability. The Core i9-10920X has ECC memory support set to false; the Xeon D-2775TE has it set to true. Both use DDR4 with a quad-channel bus.

PCIe generation and lane count differ. The Core i9-10920X is listed as PCIe Gen 3 with no lane count. The Xeon D-2775TE is PCIe Gen 4 with 32 lanes from the CPU.

Release dates and part numbers vary. The Core i9-10920X launched on 2019-10-18. The Xeon D-2775TE launched on 2022-02-23. The Xeon has a part number of SRM26SRLCM; the Core i9 has none listed.

Market segments differ. The Core i9-10920X is a desktop part. The Xeon D-2775TE is a server or workstation part.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon D-2775TE wins every single benchmark in the head-to-head comparison. It takes all six Cinebench tests across R15, R20, and R23, in both single-core and multi-core variants. The margins are consistent at 5.7% to 5.8%. Its average benchmark score of 6711 exceeds the Core i9-10920X's 6347 by 364 points. The Xeon also carries advantages in core count (16 versus 12), cache size (25 MB L3 versus 19.25 MB), ECC support, PCIe Gen 4, and TDP efficiency (100 W versus 165 W). For any workload that can use more cores, the Xeon is the stronger pick based on recorded data.

The Intel Core i9-10920X has no benchmark wins in this comparison. However, it does have characteristics that may suit certain use cases. Its boost clock of 4.80 GHz is much higher than the Xeon's 3.10 GHz, which could matter in lightly threaded applications that do not scale with cores, though the measured single-core scores do not reflect that theoretical advantage. Its unlocked multiplier allows overclocking, a feature the locked Xeon lacks. It also uses the Intel Socket 2066 platform, which is a standard desktop socket that supports user-installed processors, whereas the Xeon D-2775TE uses a BGA socket that is typically soldered to the board. For builders who want a replaceable CPU in a desktop HEDT board, the Core i9-10920X offers that flexibility.

The data does not show any workload where the Core i9-10920X outperforms the Xeon D-2775TE. The nearest rival data for the Core i9 includes the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X, which scores 6231, 1.9% behind, and the AMD EPYC 7551, which scores 6391, 0.7% ahead. For the Xeon D-2775TE, the closest rival is the Intel Xeon Gold 5317 at 6710, a 0.0% delta, and the AMD EPYC 72F3 at 6700, 0.2% behind. These rival comparisons place both CPUs in similar company, but the Xeon's absolute scores are higher.

The Verdict

Choosing between these two CPUs comes down to platform and workload priorities, but the benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon D-2775TE is faster in every recorded test. It wins all six Cinebench comparisons with margins between 5.7% and 5.8%, has a higher average benchmark score (6711 versus 6347), and achieves this with a lower TDP of 100 W against 165 W. It also provides more cores (16 versus 12), more threads (32 versus 24), larger caches, ECC memory support, PCIe Gen 4, and a newer 10 nm architecture.

The Core i9-10920X is not without appeal. It has a higher boost clock (4.80 GHz versus 3.10 GHz), an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, and a socketed desktop platform that allows easy CPU replacement. For a builder who values those traits and does not need ECC or server-class connectivity, the Core i9 could still be a rational choice. But the performance data shows that, despite the clock speed disadvantage, the Xeon D-2775TE simply delivers more measured performance in both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads.

The percentile ranking places both at the 62nd percentile among all CPUs, so neither is a top-tier part by modern standards. However, the Xeon D-2775TE achieves that percentile with a higher raw score and lower power draw. For server or workstation builds where reliability, ECC, and multi-core throughput matter, the Xeon D-2775TE is the clear pick from this data. For a desktop enthusiast who prefers an unlocked, socketed processor in a mainstream HEDT board, the Core i9-10920X offers overclocking headroom but comes with a measurable performance penalty in every benchmark recorded. The data says the Xeon D-2775TE wins, and wins consistently.