Intel Core i9-9820X vs Intel Xeon W-2155 Comparison

The Intel Xeon W-2155 and Intel Core i9-9820X are two 10-core, 20-thread processors built on the same Skylake architecture and designed for the same Intel Socket 2066 platform. Despite their shared lineage, the data reveals a clear, albeit narrow, performance hierarchy between the workstation-focused Xeon and the desktop-oriented Core i9. Across every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, the Xeon W-2155 holds a consistent, if modest, lead over its Core i9 counterpart.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are remarkably uniform, with the Xeon W-2155 winning all six head-to-head comparisons. The largest margin of victory is a mere 0.5%, indicating that these processors are exceptionally close in raw computational throughput. In the Cinebench R15 multicore test, the Xeon W-2155 scores 1767 against the Core i9-9820X’s 1759, a delta of 0.5%. The single-core R15 result is similarly tight, with the Xeon leading 249 to 248, a 0.4% advantage.

This pattern persists in the newer Cinebench versions. In Cinebench R20, the Xeon W-2155 posts a multicore score of 7365, while the Core i9-9820X trails at 7332, another 0.5% difference. The single-core R20 scores are 1039 and 1034, respectively, again a 0.5% lead for the Xeon. The most demanding test, Cinebench R23, shows the Xeon W-2155 achieving 17538 in multicore, with the Core i9-9820X scoring 17459 (a 0.5% delta). The R23 single-core results are 2475 for the Xeon and 2464 for the Core i9, a 0.4% advantage.

The consistency of these results is striking. The Xeon W-2155 wins every single test, but the margins are so thin that they fall within a range that could be considered a statistical tie in many scenarios. However, the absolute dominance in the win column—6 wins to 0—confirms that the Xeon W-2155 is the faster processor in this direct comparison. The average benchmark scores reflect this as well, with the Xeon W-2155 averaging 5072 and the Core i9-9820X averaging 5049, placing the Xeon 0.4% ahead in the aggregate.

Where Each One Wins

Given the Xeon W-2155’s sweep of all benchmark tests, it is the clear winner in every performance category measured. The data shows the Xeon W-2155 leading in both multicore and single-core workloads across all three generations of Cinebench tests. This means for heavily threaded rendering tasks like those simulated in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore, the Xeon W-2155 provides a slight but measurable edge.

The Core i9-9820X, while not winning any benchmark, is not without its merits. The data shows it is virtually identical in performance, trailing by only 0.5% at most. For workloads that are not extremely sensitive to a 0.5% difference, the Core i9-9820X offers effectively the same computational capability. The distinction lies in platform features rather than raw scores. The Xeon W-2155 supports ECC memory, a critical feature for data integrity in workstation environments, while the Core i9-9820X does not. The Xeon also offers more PCIe lanes, with 48 lanes compared to the Core i9’s 44 lanes, which can be beneficial for configurations with multiple high-bandwidth expansion cards.

The Core i9-9820X does have one distinct advantage: its multiplier is unlocked. This allows for overclocking, which could potentially close the small performance gap or even surpass the Xeon W-2155 in user-tuned systems. The Xeon W-2155, with a locked multiplier, does not offer this flexibility.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel’s 14 nm process node and share the same Skylake architecture, with the Xeon W-2155 using the Skylake-W codename and the Core i9-9820X using Skylake-X. They both feature 10 cores and 20 threads, with identical base clocks of 3.30 GHz. The key architectural difference is the boost clock, where the Xeon W-2155 reaches 4.50 GHz, while the Core i9-9820X tops out at 4.20 GHz. This 0.30 GHz boost clock advantage is the primary driver behind the Xeon’s consistent benchmark wins.

The cache configurations also differ. The Xeon W-2155 has a shared L3 cache of 13.75 MB, while the Core i9-9820X has a larger shared L3 cache of 16.5 MB. Interestingly, the larger cache on the Core i9 does not translate into a performance advantage in these benchmarks. The L1 and L2 caches are identical, with 64 KB and 1 MB per core, respectively.

Memory support is similar, with both processors utilizing DDR4 memory over a quad-channel bus, providing an identical memory bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s. The critical difference here is ECC support, which is present on the Xeon W-2155 but absent on the Core i9-9820X. This makes the Xeon a more suitable choice for error-sensitive workloads.

The processors also differ in their PCIe lane allocation, with the Xeon W-2155 providing 48 Gen 3 lanes (CPU only) compared to the Core i9-9820X’s 44 lanes. The TDP also reflects their different market segments, with the Xeon W-2155 rated at 140W and the Core i9-9820X at 165W, despite the Xeon having a higher boost clock. The Core i9-9820X is a desktop part with an unlocked multiplier, while the Xeon W-2155 is a server/workstation part with a locked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2155 wins all three multicore benchmarks. It scores 1767 in Cinebench R15, 7365 in R20, and 17538 in R23, compared to the Core i9-9820X’s 1759, 7332, and 17459, respectively. The Xeon leads by 0.5% in each case.

Q: Is there a significant difference in single-core performance?

A: No, the difference is minimal. The Xeon W-2155 leads by 0.4% in Cinebench R15 (249 vs 248) and R23 (2475 vs 2464), and by 0.5% in R20 (1039 vs 1034). The Xeon’s higher 4.50 GHz boost clock compared to 4.20 GHz gives it a slight edge.

Q: What is the main difference in memory support?

A: The Xeon W-2155 supports ECC memory, while the Core i9-9820X does not. Both processors support DDR4 memory over a quad-channel bus with an identical bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s.

Q: Do these processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both the Xeon W-2155 and the Core i9-9820X feature 10 cores and 20 threads. They also share the same 3.30 GHz base clock and are built on the same 14 nm Skylake architecture.

Q: Which processor offers more PCIe lanes?

A: The Xeon W-2155 provides 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), while the Core i9-9820X offers 44 lanes. This gives the Xeon more bandwidth for expansion cards.

Q: Can the Core i9-9820X be overclocked?

A: Yes, the Core i9-9820X has an unlocked multiplier, allowing for overclocking. The Xeon W-2155 has a locked multiplier and cannot be overclocked.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon W-2155 is the faster processor, winning all six head-to-head benchmarks against the Core i9-9820X. The margins are small, ranging from 0.4% to 0.5%, but they are consistent across every test. The Xeon’s higher 4.50 GHz boost clock compared to 4.20 GHz is the likely reason for its sustained advantage.

For users prioritizing maximum raw performance in multi-threaded rendering or single-threaded tasks, the data indicates the Xeon W-2155 is the superior choice. Its support for ECC memory and its additional PCIe lanes further solidify its position for workstation and server environments where data integrity and expandability are paramount. The Xeon W-2155 also achieves this performance with a lower TDP of 140W compared to the Core i9’s 165W.

However, the Core i9-9820X remains a compelling option for desktop enthusiasts. Its performance is within 0.5% of the Xeon, making it effectively equivalent in most real-world scenarios. The unlocked multiplier provides a path to close the gap or potentially exceed the Xeon’s stock performance through overclocking. For a desktop build where overclocking is desired and ECC support is not required, the Core i9-9820X offers nearly identical performance with greater flexibility. The choice ultimately depends on the user’s priorities: the Xeon W-2155 for guaranteed data integrity and maximum stock performance, or the Core i9-9820X for overclocking potential in a desktop setting.