Intel Core i9-9940X vs Intel Xeon Platinum 8260 Comparison

The Intel Xeon Platinum 8260 and the Intel Core i9-9940X are both 14 nm Intel processors, but they target different segments. In the recorded Cinebench tests, the Xeon wins all six head-to-head matchups, though by a narrow margin. The i9 counters with higher clocks, an unlocked multiplier, and a desktop socket, but the data shows the Xeon as the faster processor in every benchmark.

The Verdict

For users who prioritize multi-threaded throughput and server reliability, the Xeon Platinum 8260 is the clear choice. It wins every Cinebench test, offers ECC memory support, and packs 24 cores and 48 threads. The Core i9-9940X, with 14 cores and 28 threads, is the better fit for desktop enthusiasts who want overclocking and a quad-channel memory interface, but it trails the Xeon in all recorded benchmarks. The Xeon also holds a higher average benchmark score (6992 vs 6657) and a higher percentile ranking (63rd vs 62nd). The i9's higher base and boost clocks (3.30/4.50 GHz vs 2.40/3.90 GHz) do not translate into a win. The Xeon's extra cores and larger L3 cache appear to offset the clock disadvantage. The i9 does have a launch MSRP of $1387, but the Xeon has no recorded launch MSRP.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 14 nm process, but they diverge in architecture. The Xeon uses Cascade Lake (Cascade Lake-SP) and is classified as a Xeon Platinum part, while the i9 uses Skylake (Skylake-X) and belongs to the Core i9 X-Series 9th Gen. The Xeon has 24 cores and 48 threads, compared to 14 cores and 28 threads on the i9. The Xeon's L3 cache is 35.75 MB shared, while the i9 has 19.25 MB. Both have 64 KB L1 and 1 MB L2 per core. The Xeon has 8,000 million transistors; the i9's transistor count is not recorded. The i9 has a die size of 484 mm², while the Xeon's is not listed. The Xeon uses Intel Socket 3647, the i9 uses Socket 2066. The Xeon supports ECC memory, the i9 does not. The i9 has quad-channel memory with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth; the Xeon's memory bus and bandwidth are not specified. The i9 offers Gen 3 PCIe with 44 lanes (CPU only); the Xeon's PCIe configuration is not listed. The Xeon is a server/workstation part, the i9 is a desktop part. The i9 has an unlocked multiplier, the Xeon is locked. The i9 is marked end-of-life, while the Xeon's production status is not recorded. The Xeon was released on December 10, 2018, the i9 on October 18, 2018.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are consistent: the Xeon wins all six Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 2436 against 2400, a 1.5% lead. In single-core, it is 343 vs 338, also 1.5%. In R20 multi-core, the Xeon scores 10152 vs 10000, a 1.5% margin; single-core is 1433 vs 1411, a 1.6% lead. In R23 multi-core, the Xeon scores 24173 vs 23810, 1.5% ahead; single-core is 3412 vs 3361, 1.5% ahead. The i9's higher base and boost clocks do not translate into a win. The Xeon's extra cores and larger L3 cache appear to offset the clock disadvantage. The average benchmark score reinforces this: the Xeon averages 6992, the i9 6657. The Xeon sits at the 63rd percentile of all CPUs, the i9 at the 62nd. In the database, the Xeon's closest rival is the Intel Pentium Gold G6400 with an average score of 6969 and a delta of 0.3%, while the i9's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X at 6647 with a delta of 0.1%.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Xeon Platinum 8260 has 24 cores and 48 threads, while the Core i9-9940X has 14 cores and 28 threads.

Q: Does the Core i9-9940X support ECC memory?

A: No. The Xeon Platinum 8260 supports ECC, but the i9 does not.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The i9-9940X has a boost clock of 4.50 GHz, compared to 3.90 GHz on the Xeon.

Q: What is the result of the Cinebench R23 multi-core test?

A: The Xeon scores 24173, the i9 scores 23810, giving the Xeon a 1.5% lead.

Q: Is the Core i9-9940X overclockable?

A: Yes, it has an unlocked multiplier. The Xeon's multiplier is locked.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Xeon has an average score of 6992, while the i9 averages 6657.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the recorded benchmarks, the Xeon Platinum 8260 wins every head-to-head test, so it is the faster processor in all Cinebench workloads. The i9-9940X does not win any of the six tests. However, the i9 offers features that may be more attractive for desktop use: an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, quad-channel memory with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth, and 44 PCIe lanes. The Xeon counters with ECC support, a server socket, and a larger L3 cache. For server or workstation tasks that rely on multi-threaded performance and memory reliability, the Xeon is the clear winner. For desktop enthusiasts who value overclocking and a desktop platform, the i9 has the feature set, but the data shows it loses in raw performance.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several specification fields. The Xeon has 24 cores and 48 threads, the i9 has 14 cores and 28 threads. Base clocks are 2.40 GHz for the Xeon and 3.30 GHz for the i9; boost clocks are 3.90 GHz and 4.50 GHz respectively. The Xeon uses Socket 3647, the i9 Socket 2066. The Xeon is Cascade Lake (Cascade Lake-SP), the i9 is Skylake (Skylake-X). The Xeon has 35.75 MB of L3 cache, the i9 has 19.25 MB. The Xeon has 8,000 million transistors; the i9's transistor count is not recorded. The i9 has a die size of 484 mm², the Xeon's is not listed. The i9 supports quad-channel memory with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth; the Xeon's memory bus and bandwidth are not specified. The Xeon supports ECC, the i9 does not. The i9 has Gen 3 PCIe with 44 lanes (CPU only); the Xeon's PCIe is not listed. The Xeon is a server/workstation part, the i9 is a desktop part. The i9 has an unlocked multiplier, the Xeon is locked. The i9 is end-of-life, the Xeon's production status is not recorded. The Xeon was released on December 10, 2018, the i9 on October 18, 2018. The i9 had a launch MSRP of $1387; the Xeon has no recorded launch MSRP.