Intel Core i9-9900T vs Intel Xeon D-1732TE Comparison

This comparison pits two very different Intel 8-core, 16-thread processors against each other: the desktop-oriented Core i9-9900T and the server-focused Xeon D-1732TE. Despite having the same core and thread counts, the benchmark data shows a clear and consistent winner across every test, revealing fundamental architectural and performance differences that go well beyond the specifications sheet.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data is unambiguous. The Xeon D-1732TE wins all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with a consistent performance advantage of roughly 8% across the board. This is not a case of one chip winning in multi-threaded workloads while the other takes single-threaded; the Xeon dominates both.

Starting with the older Cinebench R15 tests, the Xeon D-1732TE scores 1214 in multi-core against the Core i9-9900T’s 1117, an 8% lead. The single-core gap is nearly identical, with the Xeon posting 171 versus 157, a delta of 8.2%. This pattern holds perfectly through the newer test versions.

In Cinebench R20, the Xeon D-1732TE reaches 5061 in multi-core while the Core i9-9900T manages 4658, again an 8% difference. The single-core scores of 714 and 657 respectively show the same margin. Moving to Cinebench R23, the most demanding test in the suite, the Xeon D-1732TE scores 12052 multi-core and 1701 single-core, while the Core i9-9900T scores 11091 and 1565. The delta remains exactly 8% in both cases.

What’s notable is the consistency. Many processors trade blows between single-thread and multi-thread tests, but here the Xeon D-1732TE simply outperforms the Core i9-9900T in every measurable way. The average benchmark scores reflect this overall trend: the Core i9-9900T sits at 3499 while the Xeon D-1732TE sits at 3486. The deltaPct between them in their respective nearestRivals lists is only 0.4%, meaning they are extremely close in overall standing, but the head-to-head results show the Xeon’s edge is real and uniform.

The Core i9-9900T’s best performance relative to the Xeon D-1732TE is in the Geekbench tests, but even there it loses. The Core i9-9900T scores 7298 multi-core and 1452 single-core in Geekbench, but these tests are not part of the head-to-head comparison, which only includes Cinebench variants. In the tests that matter for this direct comparison, the Xeon D-1732TE wins every round.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel architectures and target entirely different market segments. The Core i9-9900T is built on the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake-R refresh, using a 14 nm process node. It is a desktop part designed for the Intel Socket 1151 platform. The Xeon D-1732TE, by contrast, uses the Ice Lake architecture (Ice Lake-D specifically) on a 10 nm process node and is a server/workstation part using the Intel BGA 2227 socket.

These architectural differences manifest in several key areas. The Core i9-9900T has a die size of 180.3 mm², while the Xeon D-1732TE’s die size is not specified in the data. The cache configurations also differ significantly. The Core i9-9900T has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, with 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Xeon D-1732TE has larger per-core caches: 80 KB of L1 and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, but slightly less shared L3 at 15 MB.

Memory support is another major divergence. Both support DDR4, but the Core i9-9900T uses a dual-channel memory bus with 42.7 GB/s of bandwidth, while the Xeon D-1732TE uses a triple-channel memory bus with 64.0 GB/s of bandwidth. This is a substantial difference in memory throughput, which matters for server workloads. Additionally, the Xeon D-1732TE supports ECC memory, while the Core i9-9900T does not.

The PCI Express capabilities also differ. The Core i9-9900T offers PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Xeon D-1732TE offers PCIe Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The newer PCIe standard on the Xeon doubles the available bandwidth per lane, which is relevant for high-speed storage and networking in server environments.

The Core i9-9900T includes integrated UHD Graphics 630, while the Xeon D-1732TE has no integrated graphics at all. This reflects their intended use cases: the desktop chip may run without a discrete GPU, while the server chip assumes a headless or GPU-equipped configuration.

Clock speeds tell a story as well. The Core i9-9900T has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The Xeon D-1732TE has a base clock of 1900.00 MHz (1.90 GHz) and a boost clock of 3.00 GHz. Despite the Xeon’s much lower clock speeds, it still outperforms the Core i9-9900T in every benchmark, demonstrating the efficiency gains of the 10 nm process and Ice Lake architecture.

Where Each One Wins

Looking strictly at the benchmark data, the Xeon D-1732TE wins everywhere. It is faster in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, in both multi-core and single-core tests. The 8% advantage is consistent across all tests, which suggests the Xeon’s architectural improvements and memory bandwidth advantages translate into real-world performance gains across a variety of workloads.

The Core i9-9900T’s only potential advantages come from its platform characteristics rather than raw compute performance. It has a much lower TDP of 35 watts compared to the Xeon D-1732TE’s 52 watts, which means it consumes less power under load. It also uses the more common LGA 1151 socket, which is found in many mainstream motherboards, whereas the Xeon D-1732TE uses BGA 2227, a soldered, non-upgradeable socket typically found on server boards.

The Core i9-9900T also has integrated graphics, which the Xeon lacks. This makes the Core i9-9900T a more self-contained option for a desktop system where a discrete GPU may not be present. However, this is not a performance advantage in compute benchmarks; it is simply a convenience feature.

The Xeon D-1732TE’s strengths are in its memory subsystem and feature set. The triple-channel memory with 64.0 GB/s bandwidth is significantly faster than the Core i9-9900T’s dual-channel 42.7 GB/s. For memory-intensive workloads like database serving, virtualization, or scientific computing, this bandwidth advantage could be even more impactful than the 8% CPU benchmark lead suggests. The ECC memory support is another critical feature for servers where data integrity is paramount.

The Xeon D-1732TE also benefits from PCIe Gen 4 support, which doubles the bandwidth available for peripherals compared to the Core i9-9900T’s PCIe Gen 3. This matters for modern NVMe storage devices and high-speed network cards.

The Verdict

The data is clear: the Intel Xeon D-1732TE is the faster processor in every benchmark test conducted. It outperforms the Intel Core i9-9900T by 8% in Cinebench R15 multi-core and single-core, R20 multi-core and single-core, and R23 multi-core and single-core. There is no scenario in the benchmark suite where the Core i9-9900T comes out ahead.

For a server or workstation workload where compute performance and memory bandwidth are critical, the Xeon D-1732TE is the obvious choice. Its 64.0 GB/s triple-channel memory bandwidth, ECC support, and PCIe Gen 4 connectivity make it a more capable platform for serious work. The 10 nm Ice Lake architecture delivers better performance per clock than the older 14 nm Coffee Lake design.

The Core i9-9900T is not without merit, but its merits are different. Its 35-watt TDP makes it a low-power option for compact desktop builds or always-on systems. Its integrated UHD Graphics 630 means it can operate without a discrete GPU, which is useful for basic desktop tasks. Its LGA 1151 socket offers upgrade flexibility on platforms that support it.

However, if the sole criterion is benchmark performance, the Xeon D-1732TE wins decisively. The Core i9-9900T’s higher boost clock of 4.40 GHz versus the Xeon’s 3.00 GHz does not translate into better single-core performance; the Xeon still wins by 8% in single-core tests. This underscores the architectural efficiency of Ice Lake.

The Xeon D-1732TE’s nearest rival, the Intel Core i9-10900TE, is only 0.1% behind it in average score, showing that it is competitive within its own class. The Core i9-9900T’s nearest rival, the Intel Xeon E-2176G, is similarly close at -0.1%. The two chips are only 0.4% apart in average benchmark score, placing them in the 54th and 55th percentiles of all CPUs respectively.

Who should pick which? If you are building a server or workstation and need the best compute performance, ECC memory, and high memory bandwidth, choose the Xeon D-1732TE. It is the faster chip, plain and simple. If you are building a low-power desktop system and value integrated graphics and a common socket, the Core i9-9900T is a reasonable choice, but you will be giving up 8% performance across the board.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Xeon D-1732TE is faster in all multi-core tests. It scores 1214 vs 1117 in Cinebench R15, 5061 vs 4658 in R20, and 12052 vs 11091 in R23, each an 8% advantage over the Core i9-9900T.

Q: Does the Core i9-9900T win in any single-core test?

A: No. The Xeon D-1732TE wins all single-core tests as well, with scores of 171 vs 157 in R15, 714 vs 657 in R20, and 1701 vs 1565 in R23, each roughly an 8% lead.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference between these two processors?

A: The Xeon D-1732TE uses triple-channel DDR4 with 64.0 GB/s of bandwidth, while the Core i9-9900T uses dual-channel DDR4 with 42.7 GB/s. This gives the Xeon a significant memory throughput advantage.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Xeon D-1732TE supports ECC memory, while the Core i9-9900T does not. This makes the Xeon more suitable for server environments where data integrity is critical.

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

A: Yes, both have 8 cores and 16 threads. However, the Xeon D-1732TE still outperforms the Core i9-9900T by 8% in every benchmark despite the same core count.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Core i9-9900T includes UHD Graphics 630, while the Xeon D-1732TE has no integrated graphics. The Core i9 can run without a discrete GPU, but the Xeon requires one.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i9-9900T | Intel Xeon D-1732TE |

|---|---|---|

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Ice Lake |

| Codename | Coffee Lake-R | Ice Lake-D |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 10 nm |

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 1900.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.40 GHz | 3.00 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 52 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | Intel BGA 2227 |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 16 MB (shared) | 15 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Triple-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 42.7 GB/s | 64.0 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes | Gen 4, 16 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 630 | None |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2019-04-22 | 2022-02-23 |

| Launch MSRP | $423 | $730 |

| Part Number | SRG1B | SRLBW |

| Die Size | 180.3 mm² | Not specified |