Intel Core i9-9900 vs Intel Xeon D-2733NT Comparison

The Intel Core i9-9900 and the Intel Xeon D-2733NT are both 8-core, 16-thread processors, but they target entirely different segments of the market. The Core i9 is a desktop part built on the older Coffee Lake architecture, while the Xeon D is a server and workstation processor using the newer Ice Lake design. The benchmark data from the database reveals a surprisingly consistent, albeit narrow, margin of victory for the Xeon in every recorded test.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded measurements show a clean sweep for the Intel Xeon D-2733NT across all six benchmark tests. The victories are consistent in both single-core and multi-core workloads, but the margins are remarkably uniform, hovering around 2% in every case.

In the Cinebench R15 suite, the Xeon D-2733NT scores 1388 in multi-core testing against the Core i9-9900's 1361, a delta of -1.9% from the Core i9's perspective. The single-core result follows the same pattern: the Xeon scores 195 versus the Core i9's 192, a -1.5% delta. These are tight margins, indicating that the architectural differences between the two chips do not translate into a dramatic performance gulf in this older rendering workload.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern persists. The Xeon D-2733NT achieves 5785 points in multi-core versus 5673 for the Core i9-9900, again a -1.9% difference. In single-core, the Xeon's 816 points edge out the Core i9's 800, representing a -2% delta. The consistency of these percentage differences across both single and multi-threaded tests suggests that the Xeon's advantage is largely due to a higher sustained efficiency per clock rather than any specific multi-core scaling advantage.

The most recent Cinebench R23 results confirm the trend. The Xeon D-2733NT posts 13775 in multi-core, while the Core i9-9900 manages 13509, a -1.9% delta. The single-core test shows the Xeon at 1944 against the Core i9's 1907, which is also a -1.9% delta. The Xeon D-2733NT wins all six head-to-head comparisons, giving it a 6-0 record in the database's direct matchup data, while the Core i9-9900 records zero wins.

Despite the Xeon's clean sweep, the average benchmark scores tell a slightly different story. The Core i9-9900 has an average benchmark score of 4163, which is actually higher than the Xeon D-2733NT's 3984. This is because the Core i9's benchmark set includes Geekbench scores, which are not present in the Xeon's data. The Core i9 scores 8175 in Geekbench multi-core and 1687 in single-core, tests that are not recorded for the Xeon. Both processors sit at the 57th percentile when compared against all CPUs in the database.

Looking at their respective nearest rivals in the database provides additional context. The Core i9-9900's average score of 4163 places it within 1.3% of the Intel Core i5-12500T, which scores 4216, and within 1.2% of the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X, which scores 4114. The Xeon D-2733NT's average of 3984 is essentially tied with the Intel Xeon E-2336, which also scores 3985, a 0% delta. These comparisons show that each processor is well-positioned within its own performance class.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core rendering workloads?

A: The Intel Xeon D-2733NT wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests. It scores 1388 in R15, 5785 in R20, and 13775 in R23, compared to the Intel Core i9-9900's 1361, 5673, and 13509 respectively. The margin is consistently about 1.9%.

Q: Does the Intel Core i9-9900 win any single-core tests?

A: No. The Xeon D-2733NT wins all three single-core Cinebench tests as well. It scores 195 in R15, 816 in R20, and 1944 in R23, while the Core i9-9900 scores 192, 800, and 1907.

Q: How do the two processors compare in average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i9-9900 has a higher average benchmark score of 4163 compared to the Xeon D-2733NT's 3984. However, the Core i9's average includes Geekbench results, which are not recorded for the Xeon.

Q: What is the performance difference between the two in the Cinebench R20 single-core test?

A: The Xeon D-2733NT leads by 2%. It scores 816 points while the Core i9-9900 scores 800 points.

Q: Are both processors positioned at the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i9-9900 and the Intel Xeon D-2733NT are recorded at the 57th percentile when compared against all CPUs in the database.

Q: Which processor has a higher core count?

A: Both processors have identical core and thread counts. Each has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Architecture Differences

The most significant architectural difference lies in the process node. The Intel Core i9-9900 is built on a 14 nm process using the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake-R refresh. The Intel Xeon D-2733NT, in contrast, uses the newer 10 nm process with the Ice Lake architecture, specifically Ice Lake-D. This generational leap explains how the Xeon can achieve slightly higher performance despite having a significantly lower boost clock.

Clock speeds differ substantially. The Core i9-9900 has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Xeon D-2733NT operates at a much lower 2.10 GHz base and 3.20 GHz boost. The fact that the Xeon still wins every benchmark despite this 1.80 GHz deficit in boost clock highlights the efficiency of the 10 nm Ice Lake design.

Cache configurations also differ. The Core i9-9900 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Xeon D-2733NT has a larger 80 KB of L1 cache per core, a substantially larger 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 15 MB of shared L3 cache. The Xeon's larger per-core L1 and L2 caches likely contribute to its single-core performance advantage.

The memory subsystem is another major divergence. The Core i9-9900 supports dual-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The Xeon D-2733NT supports quad-channel DDR4 memory, doubling the bandwidth to 85.3 GB/s. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, which the Core i9 does not. This makes the Xeon suitable for error-sensitive server workloads.

PCIe capabilities differ as well. The Core i9-9900 provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Xeon D-2733NT provides PCIe Gen 4 with 32 lanes, offering both a newer standard and double the lane count. The Core i9 includes integrated UHD Graphics 630, while the Xeon D-2733NT has no integrated graphics, reflecting its server-oriented design where a discrete GPU or remote management is expected.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture. The Intel Xeon D-2733NT is the faster processor in every benchmark test recorded in the database. It wins all six Cinebench tests, both single-core and multi-core, with margins ranging from 1.5% to 2%. The Xeon achieves this with a 10 nm process, 80 GB/s more memory bandwidth, and double the PCIe lanes.

However, the Core i9-9900 holds its own in the broader database context. Its average benchmark score of 4163 is higher than the Xeon's 3984, though this is due to the inclusion of Geekbench scores in its record. The Core i9 also has a significantly higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz versus 3.20 GHz, which would make it more responsive in lightly threaded applications that favor raw clock speed, even though the recorded single-core Cinebench tests favor the Xeon.

The choice between these two processors should be guided by platform requirements rather than raw performance. The Core i9-9900 is a desktop processor on the Intel Socket 1151 platform with integrated graphics and a 65 W TDP. The Xeon D-2733NT is a server and workstation processor on the Intel BGA 2579 socket with ECC memory support, quad-channel memory, and a higher 80 W TDP. The Xeon's 85.3 GB/s memory bandwidth and PCIe Gen 4 support make it the better fit for data-intensive server workloads, while the Core i9's higher clock speeds and integrated graphics suit a traditional desktop build.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every specification category. The process node is 14 nm for the Core i9-9900 and 10 nm for the Xeon D-2733NT. The Core i9 has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, while the Xeon D-2733NT has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz. The TDP is 65 W for the Core i9 and 80 W for the Xeon.

The socket is another clear difference. The Core i9-9900 uses Intel Socket 1151, while the Xeon D-2733NT uses Intel BGA 2579. The Core i9 has 64 KB of L1 cache and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, while the Xeon has 80 KB and 1.25 MB respectively. The shared L3 cache is 16 MB on the Core i9 and 15 MB on the Xeon.

Memory support shows the Xeon's server pedigree. The Core i9 uses dual-channel memory with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC support. The Xeon uses quad-channel memory with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support. The PCIe configuration also differs: Gen 3 with 16 lanes for the Core i9, Gen 4 with 32 lanes for the Xeon. The Core i9 includes UHD Graphics 630, while the Xeon has no integrated graphics. The Core i9 was released on 2019-04-22 and is end-of-life, while the Xeon was released on 2022-02-23 and is active. The Core i9 has a die size of 180.3 mm², while the Xeon's die size is not recorded. The Core i9's launch MSRP was $423, while the Xeon has no recorded launch MSRP.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon D-2733NT wins in every recorded benchmark, but its advantages extend beyond raw scores. The quad-channel memory controller provides 85.3 GB/s of bandwidth, exactly double the Core i9's 42.7 GB/s. This is a critical advantage for memory-intensive server workloads such as virtualization, database caching, and high-throughput networking. The PCIe Gen 4 support with 32 lanes allows for faster NVMe storage and more expansion options. The ECC memory support ensures data integrity in mission-critical environments.

The Intel Core i9-9900 wins in clock speed. Its 5.00 GHz boost clock is 1.80 GHz higher than the Xeon's 3.20 GHz. While the recorded single-core Cinebench tests favor the Xeon, the Core i9's higher clock ceiling suggests it may be more responsive in applications that are not well-represented by these specific benchmarks. The integrated UHD Graphics 630 is a clear advantage for a desktop system that does not require a discrete GPU. The lower 65 W TDP also makes it easier to cool in a standard desktop chassis.

The Core i9 also wins in the broader database comparison. Its average benchmark score of 4163 places it ahead of the Xeon's 3984, and its nearest rivals include the Core i5-12500T at 4216 and the Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X at 4114. The Xeon's nearest rivals are the Xeon E-2336 at 3985 and the Ryzen 5 PRO 4650G at 3977. This suggests the Core i9 competes in a slightly higher performance tier in the database's overall rankings, despite losing the direct head-to-head Cinebench comparisons. The Core i9 also has Geekbench scores recorded, 8175 multi-core and 1687 single-core, which the Xeon lacks entirely.