CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i9-9880H and the Intel Xeon E-2146G are both 14 nm Coffee Lake parts, but they target completely different corners of the market: one is a high-end mobile processor, the other a workstation-oriented desktop chip. Despite the Xeon’s higher base clock and the Core i9’s extra two cores, the benchmark data shows a surprisingly tight contest. Across six Cinebench tests, the Core i9-9880H wins every single one, but the margins are slim, ranging from 1.9% to 2.0%. The Xeon E-2146G, however, takes both Geekbench tests, including a decisive 10.9% victory in single-core performance. The overall average benchmark scores are nearly identical: 3433 for the Core i9 versus 3410 for the Xeon, placing both in the 54th percentile of all CPUs. This is not a matchup of a clear winner and loser; it is a study in how different design priorities produce distinct performance profiles.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Core i9-9880H establishes its lead in the Cinebench suite, which heavily stresses multi-threaded rendering. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 1152 against the Xeon’s 1130, a 1.9% advantage. The story repeats in R20 multi-core, where the Core i9 hits 4803 versus 4709, a 2.0% edge. In R23 multi-core, the Core i9 scores 11437 compared to 11214, again a 2.0% win. The pattern holds for single-core Cinebench tests as well: the Core i9 wins R15 single-core 162 to 159 (1.9%), R20 single-core 677 to 664 (2.0%), and R23 single-core 1614 to 1583 (2.0%). These are consistent, repeatable margins. The Core i9’s eight cores and 16 threads give it a structural advantage in these heavily threaded workloads, and even in single-threaded Cinebench tests, its higher 4.80 GHz boost clock edges out the Xeon’s 4.50 GHz.

The Xeon E-2146G fights back in Geekbench. In Geekbench multi-core, the Xeon scores 6283 against the Core i9’s 6248, a 0.6% win. The real surprise is Geekbench single-core, where the Xeon dominates with a score of 1540 versus the Core i9’s 1372. That is a 10.9% gap. This is a significant divergence from the Cinebench results. The Xeon’s 3.50 GHz base clock, which is much higher than the Core i9’s 2.30 GHz, likely plays a role here, as does the nature of the Geekbench workload. The Xeon’s single-core score is also higher than its nearest rivals; it sits just ahead of the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 7530U, which scores 3394 on average, and the AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C18I at 3406. Meanwhile, the Core i9’s Geekbench single-core score of 1372 pulls down its average, making its nearest rival the Intel Core i7-5960X at 3442. The data shows that while the Core i9 is the stronger Cinebench part, the Xeon is the stronger Geekbench part, particularly when single-core performance is the focus.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock, and does it win in single-core benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i9-9880H has a higher boost clock at 4.80 GHz compared to the Xeon E-2146G’s 4.50 GHz. However, the Xeon wins Geekbench single-core by a wide 10.9% margin (1540 vs 1372). In contrast, the Core i9 wins all three Cinebench single-core tests (R15, R20, R23) by 1.9% to 2.0%. The boost clock advantage does not translate to a universal single-core win.

Q: How do the multi-core scores compare between the two?

A: The Core i9-9880H wins every Cinebench multi-core test. It scores 1152 vs 1130 in R15, 4803 vs 4709 in R20, and 11437 vs 11214 in R23. The margins are consistent at 1.9% to 2.0%. The Xeon E-2146G wins Geekbench multi-core with a score of 6283 vs 6248, a 0.6% margin.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each CPU?

A: The Core i9-9880H has an average benchmark score of 3433, while the Xeon E-2146G has an average of 3410. The Core i9’s nearest rival is the Intel Core i7-10875H with an average score of 3432 and a 0% delta, while the Xeon’s nearest rival is the Intel Xeon E-2236 with an average of 3410 and a 0% delta.

Q: Does the Xeon support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Xeon E-2146G supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i9-9880H does not support ECC memory. Both processors support DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus with a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s.

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

A: The Intel Core i9-9880H has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Xeon E-2146G has 6 cores and 12 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the Xeon’s higher base clock of 3.50 GHz versus 2.30 GHz helps it remain competitive in some benchmarks.

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: The Core i9-9880H has a TDP of 45 watts, while the Xeon E-2146G has a TDP of 80 watts. The Xeon is a desktop/workstation part with a higher power envelope, while the Core i9 is a mobile part designed for laptops.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel’s 14 nm process node and share the Coffee Lake architecture. The Core i9-9880H uses the Coffee Lake-HR codename, while the Xeon E-2146G uses Coffee Lake-S WS. The foundry is Intel for both. The die size differs slightly: the Core i9 measures 149 mm², while the Xeon is 154 mm². The core configuration is the most significant architectural split: the Core i9 has 8 cores and 16 threads, whereas the Xeon has 6 cores and 12 threads. This gives the Core i9 a two-core, four-thread advantage.

Cache allocation also differs. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, but the shared L3 cache is larger on the Core i9 at 16 MB, compared to the Xeon’s 12 MB. This extra 4 MB of L3 cache may contribute to the Core i9’s consistent wins in Cinebench. The integrated graphics differ as well: the Core i9 features the UHD 630, while the Xeon uses the HD Graphics P630. The Xeon is a server/workstation part and supports ECC memory, a feature absent on the Core i9. The PCIe implementation is also different: the Xeon lists Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Core i9 lists just Gen 3 without a lane count.

Specification Differences

The Core i9-9880H and Xeon E-2146G diverge on nearly every key spec. The Core i9 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Xeon has 6 cores and 12 threads. The base clock is dramatically different: the Core i9 runs at 2.30 GHz, while the Xeon runs at 3.50 GHz. The boost clock favors the Core i9 at 4.80 GHz versus the Xeon’s 4.50 GHz. The TDP is a major differentiator, with the Core i9 at 45 watts and the Xeon at 80 watts. The socket is incompatible: the Core i9 uses Intel BGA 1440, while the Xeon uses Intel Socket 1151. The L3 cache is 16 MB on the Core i9 and 12 MB on the Xeon. The integrated graphics are UHD 630 on the Core i9 and HD Graphics P630 on the Xeon. ECC memory support is present only on the Xeon. The market segment is mobile for the Core i9 and server/workstation for the Xeon. The release dates differ, with the Xeon launching on 2018-07-11 and the Core i9 on 2019-04-22. The Xeon has a launch MSRP of $317; the Core i9 has no launch MSRP listed. The part numbers are SRFD1 for the Core i9 and SR3WT for the Xeon.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-9880H is the clear choice for Cinebench-style workloads. It wins all six Cinebench tests, both multi-core and single-core, with margins of 1.9% to 2.0%. This indicates an advantage in rendering and other heavily threaded applications that scale with core count. The extra two cores and 16 MB of L3 cache appear to provide a measurable benefit in these workloads. The Core i9 is also the lower-power part at 45 watts, making it suitable for mobile platforms where thermal and power constraints are tight.

The Intel Xeon E-2146G is the winner in Geekbench, particularly in single-core performance. Its 10.9% lead in Geekbench single-core (1540 vs 1372) is the largest performance gap in the entire comparison. This suggests the Xeon is better suited for workloads that rely on high-frequency, low-latency single-threaded execution. The Xeon’s higher 3.50 GHz base clock is a significant factor here, as it maintains high performance without needing to boost. The Xeon also offers ECC memory support, which is critical for workstation and server environments where data integrity is paramount. The Xeon’s launch MSRP of $317 also positions it as a distinct product for workstation builders, though pricing is not the focus of this analysis.

The Verdict

The data presents a nuanced picture. The Core i9-9880H wins the majority of benchmarks, 6 out of 8 head-to-head tests, and is the better processor for Cinebench-based rendering workloads. Its 8-core, 16-thread configuration delivers a consistent 2.0% advantage in multi-core Cinebench tests, and it also edges out the Xeon in single-core Cinebench tests. The Core i9 is the pick for users who prioritize multi-threaded productivity on a mobile platform, given its 45-watt TDP and BGA 1440 socket.

The Xeon E-2146G, despite winning only 2 of 8 benchmarks, takes the most lopsided victory of the entire comparison with its 10.9% Geekbench single-core win. For applications that are heavily dependent on single-core speed, the Xeon is the superior choice. Its 80-watt TDP and Socket 1151 make it a desktop workstation part, and its ECC memory support adds a reliability layer that the Core i9 cannot offer. The Xeon’s higher base clock of 3.50 GHz is a clear advantage in scenarios where sustained all-core frequency is less important than raw single-thread throughput.

Choose the Core i9-9880H for Cinebench-focused multi-threaded tasks and mobile builds. Choose the Xeon E-2146G for Geekbench-sensitive single-threaded workloads and workstation systems that require ECC memory. The overall average scores are close, 3433 vs 3410, and both sit at the 54th percentile, so the decision should hinge on the specific workload and platform requirements, not on raw aggregate performance.