CPU Comparison

The Intel Xeon E-2174G and the Intel Core i9-8950HK are both 14 nm Coffee Lake parts from 2018, yet they target completely different worlds: one is a server/workstation processor on Socket 1151, the other a mobile chip on BGA 1440. The benchmark data reveals a fascinating split, with the i9-8950HK dominating Cinebench across the board while the Xeon E-2174G pulls off decisive wins in Geekbench. This isn't a simple story of core counts versus clock speeds; the raw numbers suggest architectural or platform-level factors are at play, making the head-to-head results a puzzle worth investigating.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-8950HK has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Xeon E-2174G has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What are the boost clock speeds for both CPUs?

A: Both processors share an identical boost clock of 4.70 GHz, despite the i9-8950HK having a lower base clock of 2.90 GHz compared to the Xeon's 3.80 GHz.

Q: Which CPU wins in single-core performance?

A: It depends on the benchmark suite. The Intel Core i9-8950HK wins all Cinebench single-core tests (e.g., R23 score of 1239 vs 1142), but the Intel Xeon E-2174G wins Geekbench single-core by a wide 18.3% margin (1559 vs 1318).

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No, only the Intel Xeon E-2174G supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i9-8950HK does not list ECC support.

Q: Are these processors still in production?

A: Both are marked as end-of-life, with the Intel Xeon E-2174G releasing on 2018-07-11 and the Intel Core i9-8950HK releasing earlier on 2018-04-01.

Q: Which CPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i9-8950HK has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 2641, compared to the Xeon E-2174G's 2588. Both sit at the same 49th percentile among all CPUs.

Architecture Differences

Both CPUs are built on Intel's 14 nm process, but they diverge in nearly every other physical aspect. The Xeon E-2174G is a Coffee Lake-S WS part with a die size of 126 mm², while the i9-8950HK is Coffee Lake-H with a larger 149 mm² die. The core count difference explains part of this: the i9-8950HK packs 6 cores versus the Xeon's 4, and consequently has 12 MB of shared L3 cache versus 8 MB. Both share the same 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per-core caches, but the total cache hierarchy favors the mobile chip.

The memory and platform specs tell a stark story. The Xeon E-2174G supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a specified 42.7 GB/s bandwidth, plus ECC memory capability. The i9-8950HK also supports DDR4, but the FACT PACK lists no memory bus or bandwidth data, and it lacks ECC support entirely. The Xeon also has explicit PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i9-8950HK has no PCIe data listed. Integrated graphics differ too: the Xeon uses HD Graphics P630, while the i9-8950HK has UHD 630.

The market positioning is clear from the socket and form factor. The Xeon E-2174G is a Socket 1151 server/workstation chip with a 71 W TDP, whereas the i9-8950HK is a mobile BGA 1440 part with a higher 95 W TDP. The i9-8950HK is also multiplier-unlocked, suggesting overclocking intent, while the Xeon is locked. The Xeon has a launch MSRP of $334, while the i9-8950HK has no listed MSRP. These are not just different chips; they are different philosophies of computation, one optimized for sustained server workloads and the other for high-performance mobile use.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results are uniformly in favor of the Intel Core i9-8950HK, and the margins are remarkably consistent. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i9-8950HK scores 884 against the Xeon's 815, a 7.8% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows a similar 8.1% gap (124 vs 114). Moving to R20, the i9-8950HK wins multi-core 3686 to 3398 (7.8%) and single-core 520 to 479 (7.9%). The R23 results continue the pattern: multi-core 8777 vs 8091 (7.8%) and single-core 1239 vs 1142 (7.8%). The consistency of that ~7.8% delta across all Cinebench versions is striking, it suggests a stable performance headroom for the i9-8950HK in this workload, likely tied to its two extra physical cores and larger L3 cache.

The Geekbench results, however, flip the script entirely. In Geekbench multi-core, the Intel Xeon E-2174G wins 5104 to 4577, a substantial 11.5% margin despite having only 4 cores against 6. The single-core Geekbench test is even more lopsided: the Xeon scores 1559 versus 1318 for the i9-8950HK, an 18.3% victory. This is not a marginal difference; it's a massive reversal of the Cinebench trend. The data implies that the Xeon E-2174G's higher base clock (3.80 GHz vs 2.90 GHz) and possibly its platform characteristics give it a significant edge in Geekbench's specific workload mix, while the i9-8950HK's extra cores and cache win out in Cinebench's rendering tasks.

The win count reflects this split: the i9-8950HK wins 6 of the 8 head-to-head tests, but the Xeon E-2174G wins the two Geekbench tests by larger average margins. The deltas tell a nuanced story: the i9-8950HK's wins are all clustered around 7.8-8.1%, while the Xeon's wins are 11.5% and 18.3%. This means the Xeon's victories are more decisive in percentage terms, even though it loses more tests. For a user prioritizing Geekbench performance, the Xeon is clearly superior; for Cinebench, the i9-8950HK is the pick.

The Verdict

The data does not crown a single overall winner; it reveals two distinct performance profiles. The Intel Core i9-8950HK is the Cinebench champion, winning all six Cinebench tests across R15, R20, and R23 with margins between 7.8% and 8.1%. Its 6-core, 12-thread configuration and 12 MB L3 cache give it a clear advantage in rendering workloads that scale with core count. For anyone running Cinebench or similar multi-threaded rendering tasks, the i9-8950HK is the better choice, despite its lower base clock.

The Intel Xeon E-2174G is the Geekbench specialist, winning both Geekbench tests with commanding margins of 11.5% multi-core and 18.3% single-core. This is a remarkable result for a 4-core chip against a 6-core rival, and it suggests the Xeon's higher base clock and server-oriented platform deliver superior performance in Geekbench's workload characteristics. The Xeon also offers ECC memory support and a Socket 1151 platform, making it suitable for workstation reliability where the i9-8950HK's mobile BGA 1440 socket and lack of ECC would be disqualifying. The average benchmark scores are close (2641 vs 2588), but the percentile rank is identical at 49, indicating both chips sit in the same overall performance tier.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification field. The Xeon E-2174G has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i9-8950HK has 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks differ significantly: the Xeon runs at 3.80 GHz, the i9-8950HK at 2.90 GHz, though both boost to 4.70 GHz. TDP is also distinct: the Xeon is rated at 71 W, the i9-8950HK at 95 W. The sockets are incompatible: Socket 1151 for the Xeon versus BGA 1440 for the i9-8950HK.

Cache configurations diverge beyond core count. The Xeon has 8 MB shared L3, the i9-8950HK has 12 MB shared L3. Memory support is another key differentiator: the Xeon has dual-channel DDR4 with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support, while the i9-8950HK has no listed memory bus, bandwidth, or ECC. PCIe is specified for the Xeon (Gen 3, 16 lanes) but not for the i9-8950HK. Integrated graphics differ (HD Graphics P630 vs UHD 630), as do production statuses and release dates (2018-07-11 vs 2018-04-01). The Xeon has a launch MSRP of $334 and is multiplier-locked; the i9-8950HK has no MSRP and is multiplier-unlocked. Die size also differs: 126 mm² for the Xeon, 149 mm² for the i9-8950HK.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-8950HK is the clear winner in Cinebench workloads, taking all six tests in the R15, R20, and R23 suites. Its 6 cores and 12 threads, combined with a 12 MB L3 cache, give it a consistent 7.8-8.1% advantage over the Xeon in these rendering tasks. This makes it the better option for content creation, 3D rendering, and any multi-threaded CPU-bound application that resembles Cinebench's workload. Its unlocked multiplier also suggests headroom for enthusiast tuning, though the data does not explore overclocked results.

The Intel Xeon E-2174G wins in Geekbench, both single-core (18.3% ahead) and multi-core (11.5% ahead). This is its domain, and the margins are too large to ignore. The higher base clock of 3.80 GHz likely drives the single-core win, while the multi-core win suggests the Xeon's architecture handles Geekbench's parallel tasks more efficiently despite having fewer cores. The Xeon's ECC memory support and server-grade platform make it the choice for workstation stability and data integrity, where the i9-8950HK's mobile platform cannot compete. For users running Geekbench-heavy applications or requiring ECC memory, the Xeon E-2174G is the superior pick, even if it loses the Cinebench head-to-head.