Intel Core i9-9900T vs Intel Xeon E-2146G Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between the Intel Xeon E-2146G and the Intel Core i9-9900T is defined by a series of narrow Cinebench victories for the Xeon, countered by one large Geekbench multi-core win for the Core i9. Across the six Cinebench tests, the Xeon E-2146G wins every round, but the margins are consistently slim, ranging from 1.1% to 1.3%. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 1130 against 1117 for the i9-9900T, a 1.2% lead. The R15 single-core test shows 159 versus 157, a 1.3% advantage. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20, where the Xeon posts 4709 multi-core and 664 single-core, while the i9-9900T records 4658 and 657, respectively, each a 1.1% difference. Cinebench R23 follows the same trend: the Xeon reaches 11214 multi-core and 1583 single-core, compared to 11091 and 1565 for the i9-9900T, again 1.1% and 1.2% deltas.

Geekbench tells a different story. The Core i9-9900T takes the multi-core test with a score of 7298, which is 13.9% higher than the Xeon E-2146G's 6283. This is the single largest swing in the entire comparison, and it is the only benchmark where the i9-9900T comes out ahead. The Geekbench single-core result flips back to the Xeon, which scores 1540 versus 1452, a 6.1% advantage, the second-largest margin in the dataset. So while the Xeon wins seven of the eight recorded benchmarks, the i9-9900T's Geekbench multi-core result represents a substantial counterweight, one that hints at different strengths under different workloads.

The average benchmark scores reflect the split: the Xeon E-2146G averages 3410 across all recorded tests, while the Core i9-9900T averages 3499. The percentile rankings are close, with the Xeon at the 54th percentile of all CPUs and the i9-9900T at the 55th. The nearest rivals for the Xeon include the Intel Xeon E-2236 with an identical average score of 3410, the AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C18I at 3406, and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 7530U at 3394. The Core i9-9900T sits near the Intel Xeon E-2176G, which scores 3502, and the Intel Xeon E5-1680 v4 at 3494. These positions confirm that both processors occupy similar performance territory, despite their architectural differences.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split depending on the workload. The Intel Xeon E-2146G wins every single-core test, from Cinebench R15 at 159 points to Geekbench single-core at 1540, and it edges out the i9-9900T in all three Cinebench multi-core tests. This makes it the stronger choice for applications that rely on per-thread performance and for rendering workloads measured by Cinebench, where its highest multi-core score is 11214. The i9-9900T, however, dominates in Geekbench multi-core with 7298 points, a 13.9% margin, suggesting it has an advantage in workloads that scale across its eight cores and sixteen threads.

The Xeon E-2146G also brings ECC memory support, a feature absent from the Core i9-9900T, which matters for systems where data integrity is a priority. The i9-9900T counters with a lower TDP of 35 watts against 80 watts for the Xeon, and it carries a larger 16 MB shared L3 cache compared to 12 MB. The i9-9900T also has a larger die at 180.3 mm² versus 154 mm², reflecting its additional two cores. For buyers prioritizing raw multi-threaded Geekbench performance and lower power draw, the i9-9900T is the pick. For single-thread responsiveness, Cinebench rendering, and ECC support, the Xeon E-2146G is the more appropriate choice.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 14 nm process and use the Coffee Lake architecture, but they belong to different segments. The Xeon E-2146G is part of the Xeon E-2100 series, with the codename Coffee Lake-S WS and a market segment of Server/Workstation. The Core i9-9900T is part of the Core i9 generation, codename Coffee Lake-R, and targets the desktop market. The core counts differ: the Xeon has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the i9-9900T has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Xeon compensates with higher clock speeds, running at a 3.50 GHz base and 4.50 GHz boost, whereas the i9-9900T operates at a 2.10 GHz base and 4.40 GHz boost. This explains the Xeon's single-core advantage despite the i9-9900T having more cores.

Cache configurations also differ. Both share 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, but the L3 cache is where they diverge: the Xeon has 12 MB shared, while the i9-9900T has 16 MB shared. The memory subsystem is identical in bandwidth, with both supporting DDR4 in dual-channel configuration at 42.7 GB/s, and both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Xeon supports ECC memory, the i9-9900T does not. Integrated graphics differ as well: the Xeon uses HD Graphics P630, while the i9-9900T uses UHD Graphics 630. The Xeon was released on 2018-07-11, while the i9-9900T launched later on 2019-04-22. Both parts are end-of-life and have locked multipliers.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher clock speed?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2146G has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz, while the Intel Core i9-9900T has a base of 2.10 GHz and a boost of 4.40 GHz.

Q: How do they compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Xeon E-2146G scores 11214, which is 1.1% higher than the i9-9900T's 11091.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2146G supports ECC memory; the Intel Core i9-9900T does not.

Q: What is the largest benchmark margin between the two?

A: The largest margin is in Geekbench multi-core, where the Core i9-9900T scores 7298, 13.9% higher than the Xeon E-2146G's 6283.

Q: How many cores does each processor have?

A: The Xeon E-2146G has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Core i9-9900T has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What are the TDP ratings?

A: The Xeon E-2146G has a TDP of 80 watts, while the Core i9-9900T has a TDP of 35 watts.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E-2146G wins in single-threaded workloads across every recorded test. Its Geekbench single-core score of 1540 is 6.1% higher than the i9-9900T's 1452, and it also leads in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 single-core tests by margins of 1.3%, 1.1%, and 1.2%, respectively. It also wins all three Cinebench multi-core tests, with a maximum advantage of 1.2% in R15. These results make it the better option for applications that are sensitive to clock speed and per-core efficiency, such as lightly threaded productivity tasks and Cinebench-style rendering workloads.

The Intel Core i9-9900T wins Geekbench multi-core decisively, scoring 7298 against 6283, a 13.9% margin. This suggests it handles workloads that scale with core count, leveraging its 8 cores and 16 threads, more effectively than the Xeon. Its larger 16 MB L3 cache and lower 35-watt TDP further distinguish it as a more power-efficient part for multi-threaded scenarios. The i9-9900T also has a higher average benchmark score of 3499 versus 3410 for the Xeon, and it sits at the 55th percentile of all CPUs, one point above the Xeon's 54th. For users running heavily parallel Geekbench-style benchmarks or seeking lower power consumption, the i9-9900T is the stronger performer.