CPU Comparison

The Intel Xeon E-2274G and Intel Core i9-8950HK are both 14 nm Coffee Lake parts, but they target opposite ends of the computing spectrum: the Xeon is a locked server/workstation chip on Socket 1151, while the i9 is an unlocked mobile processor on BGA 1440. The data shows a split verdict: the i9-8950HK wins the majority of benchmark head-to-heads (6 of 8 tests), but the Xeon E-2274G delivers decisive wins in Geekbench workloads, particularly single-core, where it leads by 20.3%. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical (2643 vs 2641), placing both at the 49th percentile of all CPUs, but their use cases diverge sharply based on the specific test.

The Verdict

The Intel Core i9-8950HK is the pick for users prioritizing raw multi-threaded rendering performance. It wins every Cinebench test, with margins ranging from 5.5% to 5.6% across R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core runs. Its six cores and twelve threads (versus the Xeon’s 4 cores and 8 threads) give it a structural advantage in heavily threaded workloads. The i9 also has a 12 MB shared L3 cache versus the Xeon’s 8 MB, which complements its higher core count. If the workload is dominated by Cinebench-style rendering, the i9-8950HK is the clear winner.

The Intel Xeon E-2274G is the pick for workloads that favor Geekbench’s metrics, especially single-threaded performance. It wins Geekbench multi-core by 13% (5174 vs 4577) and Geekbench single-core by 20.3% (1586 vs 1318). These are substantial margins, far larger than the i9’s Cinebench wins. The Xeon also offers ECC memory support and a workstation market segment designation, making it the only choice for applications requiring error-correcting memory. Its 4.90 GHz boost clock also exceeds the i9’s 4.70 GHz peak, supporting its single-thread superiority.

For a balanced assessment, the data favors the i9-8950HK overall due to its 6-2 win record in direct comparison. However, the Xeon E-2274G is not a loser, it simply wins in different arenas. The i9 is a mobile part with an unlocked multiplier, suggesting overclocking potential, while the Xeon is a locked workstation chip with ECC. Choose the i9 for raw rendering throughput and flexibility; choose the Xeon for single-thread dominance and ECC reliability. There is no universal winner; the right choice depends entirely on whether the target benchmark suite is Cinebench or Geekbench.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the Coffee Lake architecture and 14 nm process node, produced by Intel. The Xeon E-2274G uses the Coffee Lake-S WS die with a size of 126 mm², while the i9-8950HK uses the Coffee Lake-H die at 149 mm². The core configuration is the biggest split: the Xeon has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i9 has 6 cores and 12 threads. This explains the i9’s multi-core advantage in Cinebench, but the Xeon compensates with higher clocks, 4.00 GHz base and 4.90 GHz boost versus the i9’s 2.90 GHz base and 4.70 GHz boost.

Cache hierarchies differ in total capacity. Both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, but the shared L3 cache is 8 MB on the Xeon and 12 MB on the i9. The larger L3 on the i9 likely contributes to its Cinebench performance. The Xeon supports ECC memory, while the i9 does not. Memory bandwidth is specified only for the Xeon at 42.7 GB/s with dual-channel DDR4; the i9’s memory bus and bandwidth are not listed in the data.

The socket and platform are fundamentally different. The Xeon uses Intel Socket 1151, a desktop/workstation socket, while the i9 uses Intel BGA 1440, a soldered mobile package. This means the Xeon is designed for replaceable workstation boards, whereas the i9 is integrated into laptops. The Xeon has 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), while the i9’s PCIe configuration is not specified. Integrated graphics differ: the Xeon has HD Graphics P630, and the i9 has UHD 630. The Xeon’s multiplier is locked; the i9’s is unlocked. The Xeon launched on 2019-05-28 with a launch MSRP of $328. The i9 launched earlier on 2018-04-01, with no MSRP listed. Both are end-of-life products.

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-2274G has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Does the Xeon E-2274G support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon E-2274G has ECC memory support. The Core i9-8950HK does not support ECC.

Q: Which CPU wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Core i9-8950HK wins with a score of 8777, which is 5.6% higher than the Xeon E-2274G’s 8289.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The Xeon E-2274G has a boost clock of 4.90 GHz, compared to the Core i9-8950HK’s 4.70 GHz.

Q: Is the Core i9-8950HK overclockable?

A: Yes, the i9-8950HK has an unlocked multiplier. The Xeon E-2274G’s multiplier is locked.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two?

A: The Xeon E-2274G has an average benchmark score of 2643, and the Core i9-8950HK has 2641, a difference of 0.1%.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category. Core count is 4 for the Xeon versus 6 for the i9; threads are 8 versus 12. Base clock is 4.00 GHz for the Xeon versus 2.90 GHz for the i9. Boost clock is 4.90 GHz versus 4.70 GHz, favoring the Xeon. TDP is 83 W for the Xeon and 95 W for the i9. Socket differs: Socket 1151 versus BGA 1440. Die size is 126 mm² versus 149 mm².

Cache differs: both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, but the shared L3 is 8 MB on the Xeon and 12 MB on the i9. Memory support is DDR4 for both, but the Xeon specifies dual-channel with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth, while the i9 has no listed memory bus or bandwidth. ECC support is present on the Xeon, absent on the i9. PCIe is Gen 3 with 16 lanes on the Xeon; no PCIe data is listed for the i9. Integrated graphics are HD Graphics P630 on the Xeon versus UHD 630 on the i9. The Xeon is in the Server/Workstation market segment; the i9 is in the Mobile segment. The Xeon’s multiplier is locked; the i9’s is unlocked. Part numbers are SRFDE for the Xeon and SRCKN for the i9.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i9-8950HK dominates the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 884 versus the Xeon’s 835, a 5.5% lead. In R15 single-core, it wins 124 to 117, a 5.6% margin. The pattern holds in R20 multi-core: 3686 versus 3481, a 5.6% lead, and in R20 single-core: 520 versus 491, also 5.6%. In R23 multi-core, the i9 scores 8777 against 8289, another 5.6% win, and in R23 single-core, 1239 versus 1170, a 5.6% margin. These consistent deltas indicate a systematic advantage for the i9 across all Cinebench versions.

The Xeon E-2274G strikes back decisively in Geekbench. In Geekbench multi-core, it scores 5174 versus the i9’s 4577, a 13% lead. The single-core result is even more lopsided: 1586 versus 1318, a 20.3% advantage. These are the largest deltas in the entire comparison, dwarfing the i9’s 5.6% Cinebench margins. The Xeon’s higher boost clock (4.90 GHz versus 4.70 GHz) likely drives this single-core gap, while its 4-core design somehow outperforms the 6-core i9 in Geekbench multi-core, a surprising result given the i9’s core advantage.

The overall scoreboard shows the i9 winning 6 tests and the Xeon winning 2. However, the magnitude of the Xeon’s wins (13% and 20.3%) is much larger than the i9’s uniform 5.5-5.6% margins. This means the average benchmark scores are nearly identical: 2643 for the Xeon versus 2641 for the i9, with a deltaPct of just 0.1% in the Xeon’s favor. The nearest rivals confirm this near-tie: the i7-5820K scores 2642, and the i7-7740X scores 2648, all within 0.2% of these two CPUs.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-8950HK wins in any workload modeled by Cinebench. That includes 3D rendering, animation, and visual effects tasks that scale with core counts and thread counts. Its 6 cores and 12 threads, combined with 12 MB of L3 cache, give it a 5.5-5.6% edge over the Xeon in all six Cinebench tests. For users running CPU-based rendering engines or batch video exports, the i9 is the better performer. Its unlocked multiplier also allows for overclocking, potentially extending its lead beyond stock settings.

The Intel Xeon E-2274G wins in Geekbench-style workloads, which often reflect general-purpose computing, office productivity, and single-threaded applications. Its 20.3% single-core lead is the single largest margin in the comparison, making it the clear choice for software that relies on one or two fast cores. The 13% multi-core Geekbench win is equally important, showing that the Xeon’s 4 high-clocked cores outperform the i9’s 6 lower-clocked cores in this specific benchmark suite. Additionally, the Xeon is the only option with ECC memory support, making it suitable for workstation environments where data integrity is non-negotiable.

In summary, the i9-8950HK is the rendering monster, winning every Cinebench test by a consistent margin. The Xeon E-2274G is the single-thread champion and the only ECC-capable choice, winning Geekbench by double-digit percentages. The i9’s 6-2 win record gives it the overall edge, but the Xeon’s larger margins in its two victories suggest that for certain applications, the Xeon is not just competitive, it is superior. The choice hinges on whether the target workload is Cinebench-like (choose i9) or Geekbench-like (choose Xeon), with the ECC requirement being a decisive factor for the Xeon.