Intel Core i9-9880H vs Intel Xeon E-2246G Comparison

The Intel Xeon E-2246G and the Intel Core i9-9880H represent two distinct approaches to the Coffee Lake architecture, one aimed at workstations and the other at high-performance mobile devices. The recorded data shows a surprisingly consistent pattern: the Xeon wins most compute-heavy render tests, while the Core i9 has a single, significant victory in a system-level benchmark. This analysis examines the benchmark results, architectural distinctions, and the specific workloads where each processor demonstrates its strengths.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison is decisively lopsided in terms of the number of tests won, with the Intel Xeon E-2246G taking 7 out of 8 head-to-head matchups. However, the margins tell a more nuanced story than the win count alone.

In the Cinebench suite, the Xeon E-2246G consistently outperforms the Core i9-9880H by a small but uniform margin of 2.5% across all four tests. In Cinebench R15, the Xeon scores 1181 multicore against 1152 for the Core i9, while in single-core it posts 166 versus 162. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 with scores of 4922 versus 4803 multicore and 694 versus 677 single-core. The latest Cinebench R23 results show the same 2.5% delta: the Xeon reaches 11720 multicore and 1654 single-core, compared to 11437 and 1614 for the Core i9. This uniformity across different Cinebench versions indicates a consistent per-thread performance advantage for the Xeon in rendering workloads.

The Geekbench results break the pattern. In Geekbench multicore, the Core i9-9880H wins decisively with a score of 6248 against 5988 for the Xeon, a margin of 4.2%. This is the only test the Core i9 wins, and it is a substantial one. The situation reverses completely in Geekbench single-core, where the Xeon scores 1613 against 1372 for the Core i9, a dominant 17.6% advantage. This single-core gap is the largest performance difference between the two chips in any recorded test.

The average benchmark scores reflect these mixed results. The Xeon E-2246G has an average benchmark score of 3492, placing it at the 55th percentile of all CPUs. The Core i9-9880H averages 3433, at the 54th percentile. The Xeon's nearest rival in the database is the Intel Xeon E5-1680 v4 with an average score of 3494, a 0% delta, showing they are essentially tied. The Core i9's closest competitor is the Intel Core i7-10875H at 3432, also a 0% delta. These percentile and rival comparisons show both processors are positioned in the same performance tier, despite their different internal configurations.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data splits cleanly by workload type. The Intel Xeon E-2246G is the clear winner in all Cinebench tests, which are heavily threaded rendering workloads. Its consistent 2.5% lead across R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multicore modes suggests that the Xeon's higher clock speed at lower core counts provides a tangible benefit in render tasks. The 17.6% advantage in Geekbench single-core further reinforces this, making the Xeon the superior choice for applications that depend heavily on single-thread performance, such as legacy software, certain database operations, and general desktop responsiveness.

The Intel Core i9-9880H has one area of dominance: Geekbench multicore. Its 6248 score represents a 4.2% lead over the Xeon. This benchmark likely benefits from the Core i9's higher core and thread count, which allows it to handle a larger number of simultaneous tasks. The 8 cores and 16 threads of the Core i9 provide a structural advantage in this specific workload, even though its lower base clock of 2.30 GHz would suggest otherwise. This result indicates that for highly parallel system-level tasks that scale well with core count, the Core i9 is the better performer.

The overall picture is that the Xeon E-2246G excels in traditional compute benchmarks and single-threaded applications, while the Core i9-9880H wins in a specific multicore system benchmark. For users running Cinebench-style rendering or single-thread-heavy applications, the Xeon is the data-backed choice. For those running Geekbench-style system benchmarks that leverage all available threads, the Core i9 holds the edge.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the Coffee Lake architecture and are built on Intel's 14 nm process node, but they diverge significantly in their physical and functional specifications. The Intel Xeon E-2246G is a server and workstation part with 6 cores and 12 threads, a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. It has a TDP of 80 watts and uses the Intel Socket 1151. Its die size is 154 mm², and it features 12 MB of shared L3 cache, with 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core. The Xeon supports ECC memory, a key feature for workstation reliability, and has 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU. It includes integrated HD Graphics P630. Its launch MSRP is $311.

The Intel Core i9-9880H is a mobile processor with 8 cores and 16 threads, a base clock of only 2.30 GHz but the same 4.80 GHz boost clock. Its TDP is significantly lower at 45 watts, reflecting its mobile design. It uses the Intel BGA 1440 socket, and its die size is slightly smaller at 149 mm². The Core i9 has a larger 16 MB shared L3 cache, but the same per-core L1 and L2 cache sizes of 64 KB and 256 KB respectively. It does not support ECC memory, has unspecified PCIe lane counts, and integrates UHD 630 graphics.

The core count difference is the most decisive architectural factor. The Core i9-9880H has 33% more cores than the Xeon, which directly explains its Geekbench multicore victory. However, the Xeon's much higher base clock of 3.60 GHz versus 2.30 GHz gives it a per-thread instruction throughput advantage that shows up in the Cinebench and single-core Geekbench tests. The Xeon's ECC support and workstation market segment positioning distinguish it from the mobile-focused Core i9. Both processors have locked multipliers, and both are end-of-life products. The Xeon was released on 2019-05-28, while the Core i9 came slightly earlier on 2019-04-22.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear choice based on workload profile. The Intel Xeon E-2246G is the superior processor for single-threaded performance and consistent rendering workloads. Its 17.6% lead in Geekbench single-core and uniform 2.5% win across all Cinebench versions make it the analytical choice for workstation applications where clock speed and per-core efficiency matter more than raw core count. Its ECC memory support further cements its position in a server or workstation environment where data integrity is paramount. The Xeon's 7 out of 8 benchmark wins, including all four Cinebench tests, demonstrate a broad performance advantage in compute tasks.

The Intel Core i9-9880H is the data-backed pick for workloads that scale aggressively with thread count. Its 4.2% win in Geekbench multicore, driven by its 8 cores and 16 threads, shows it can outperform the Xeon when all threads are utilized in a system-level context. The Core i9's lower 45-watt TDP also indicates it is designed for mobile platforms, making it the appropriate choice for a laptop or compact system where power consumption is constrained. However, its 54th percentile standing and lower average score of 3433 suggest it offers no overall performance advantage over the Xeon, which sits at the 55th percentile.

Users should select the Xeon E-2246G if their applications are single-thread sensitive or if they require ECC memory support. The data shows it wins the majority of benchmarks and provides a substantial single-core lead. Users should select the Core i9-9880H if they are building a mobile system and prioritize multicore system benchmarks over single-thread performance. The Geekbench multicore result is the only recorded test where the Core i9 comes out ahead, but it does so by a meaningful margin.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark tests overall?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2246G wins 7 out of 8 head-to-head benchmarks, while the Intel Core i9-9880H wins only 1.

Q: What is the performance difference in single-core tests?

A: In Geekbench single-core, the Xeon E-2246G scores 1613 versus 1372 for the Core i9-9880H, giving the Xeon a 17.6% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Xeon scores 1654 versus 1614, a 2.5% lead.

Q: How do the core counts compare?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2246G has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core i9-9880H has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Does the Core i9-9880H win any benchmark?

A: Yes, the Core i9-9880H wins Geekbench multicore with a score of 6248, which is 4.2% higher than the Xeon E-2246G's score of 5988.

Q: What are the clock speed differences?

A: The Xeon E-2246G has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The Core i9-9880H has a lower base clock of 2.30 GHz but the same boost clock of 4.80 GHz.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2246G supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i9-9880H does not.