Intel Core i9-9980HK vs Intel Xeon D-1732TE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a remarkably consistent picture across the entire Cinebench suite. The Intel Xeon D-1732TE wins all six recorded head-to-head comparisons, though by very narrow margins. The largest advantage appears in Cinebench R15 multicore, where the Xeon scores 1214 against 1193 for the Core i9-9980HK, a 1.7% lead. The single-core result in the same test is similarly tight: 171 versus 168, a 1.8% edge for the Xeon.

The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20. The Xeon D-1732TE posts a multicore score of 5061, while the Core i9-9980HK reaches 4971, a 1.8% difference. Single-core performance in R20 follows suit: 714 for the Xeon, 701 for the i9, again a 1.8% lead. The most recent Cinebench R23 run shows the same story. The Xeon produces a multicore score of 12052, the i9 produces 11836, and the delta remains at 1.8%. Single-core R23 results are 1701 versus 1671, another 1.8% gap.

There is no benchmark in the head-to-head set where the Core i9-9980HK comes out ahead. Its strongest showing is the R15 multicore test, where it trails by only 1.7%, the smallest deficit recorded. Across all six tests, the Xeon's advantage is consistent, ranging from 1.7% to 1.8%. This uniformity suggests the performance gap is structural rather than workload-specific.

The Geekbench results, recorded for the Core i9 only, add context. The i9 scores 6687 multicore and 1389 single-core. With an average benchmark score of 3577, the i9 sits at the 55th percentile of all CPUs. The Xeon D-1732TE, with an average score of 3486, sits at the 54th percentile. The nearest rivals for the i9 include the AMD Ryzen 7 5825C at 3579, a 0.1% gap, and the AMD Ryzen 7 2700E at 3603, a 0.7% gap. The Xeon's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i9-10900TE at 3484, a 0.1% gap, and the Intel Xeon E-2246G at 3492, a 0.2% gap. These percentile and rival positions indicate that both processors occupy a similar competitive tier, despite the Xeon's consistent head-to-head wins.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design lineages. The Core i9-9980HK uses the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake-HR refresh, built on Intel's 14 nm process. The Xeon D-1732TE uses the Ice Lake architecture, specifically the Ice Lake-D variant, built on the 10 nm process. Both are manufactured by Intel, but the process node difference is significant. The 10 nm node allows the Xeon to achieve comparable performance with a lower boost clock, which is a notable architectural outcome.

Core and thread counts are identical: both have 8 cores and 16 threads. The cache hierarchies, however, differ substantially. The Core i9 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The Xeon has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 15 MB of shared L3. The Xeon's per-core L1 and L2 allocations are larger, while the i9's shared L3 is slightly bigger by 1 MB. These cache differences reflect the Xeon's server-oriented design, which favors larger private caches for each core.

Memory support also diverges. Both support DDR4, but the Core i9 uses a dual-channel memory bus with a recorded bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while the Xeon uses a triple-channel bus with a recorded bandwidth of 64.0 GB/s. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, while the Core i9 does not. This is a defining split for server and workstation use cases where data integrity is critical.

PCIe capabilities differ as well. The Core i9 uses PCIe Gen 3, while the Xeon uses PCIe Gen 4 with 16 lanes available to the CPU. The Xeon's newer PCIe generation provides higher bandwidth for storage and accelerators. The Core i9 includes integrated graphics, the UHD 630, while the Xeon has no integrated graphics, as expected for a server part.

The socket and platform targets are different market segments. The Core i9 uses Intel BGA 1440, is classified as a mobile processor, and has an unlocked multiplier. The Xeon uses Intel BGA 2227, is classified as a server or workstation processor, and has a locked multiplier. The Xeon is an active product, while the Core i9 is end-of-life. The release dates tell the story clearly: the Core i9 arrived in April 2019, while the Xeon came in February 2022.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear but nuanced conclusion. The Intel Xeon D-1732TE wins every head-to-head benchmark in the database, yet the margins are small, 1.7% to 1.8% across all six Cinebench tests. The Xeon is the faster processor in raw compute performance, but the difference is not transformative. The Core i9-9980HK is within striking distance in every test, and its average benchmark score of 3577 is actually higher than the Xeon's 3486, though the Xeon head-to-head wins reflect the specific tests measured.

The choice between these two processors depends heavily on the target environment. For a mobile system where power and heat are constrained, the Core i9 has the advantage of a 45 W TDP, lower than the Xeon's 52 W TDP. The i9 also includes integrated graphics, which eliminates the need for a discrete GPU in basic display tasks. Its unlocked multiplier allows overclocking, which can close or exceed the small benchmark gap in systems with adequate cooling.

For a server or workstation deployment, the Xeon's advantages are structural. ECC memory support is a requirement for many reliability-focused workloads, and the triple-channel memory bus with 64.0 GB/s bandwidth doubles the available throughput in memory-bound scenarios. The PCIe Gen 4 interface with 16 CPU lanes supports newer storage and accelerator hardware. The 10 nm process and larger per-core caches provide a more modern foundation for sustained enterprise workloads.

The production status is also relevant. The Xeon is active, meaning it remains available for new designs. The Core i9 is end-of-life, which limits its viability for long-term procurement. The Xeon has a launch MSRP of $730, a figure that is recorded but not analyzed further here. For organizations building new systems today, the Xeon's active status and server feature set make it the rational choice. For existing mobile platforms or overclocking-focused builds, the Core i9 remains competitive despite its age.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the two processors:

• Base clock: 2.40 GHz for the Core i9, 1900.00 MHz for the Xeon
• Boost clock: 5.00 GHz for the Core i9, 3.00 GHz for the Xeon
• TDP: 45 W for the Core i9, 52 W for the Xeon
• Socket: Intel BGA 1440 for the Core i9, Intel BGA 2227 for the Xeon
• Architecture: Coffee Lake for the Core i9, Ice Lake for the Xeon
• Codename: Coffee Lake-HR for the Core i9, Ice Lake-D for the Xeon
• Generation: Core i9 (Coffee Lake-HR) for the Core i9, Xeon D (Ice Lake-D) for the Xeon
• Process node: 14 nm for the Core i9, 10 nm for the Xeon
• Die size: 149 mm² for the Core i9, not recorded for the Xeon
• L1 cache: 64 KB per core for the Core i9, 80 KB per core for the Xeon
• L2 cache: 256 KB per core for the Core i9, 1.25 MB per core for the Xeon
• L3 cache: 16 MB shared for the Core i9, 15 MB shared for the Xeon
• Memory bus: Dual-channel for the Core i9, triple-channel for the Xeon
• Memory bandwidth: 42.7 GB/s for the Core i9, 64.0 GB/s for the Xeon
• ECC memory: Not supported for the Core i9, supported for the Xeon
• PCIe: Gen 3 for the Core i9, Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only) for the Xeon
• Integrated graphics: UHD 630 for the Core i9, none for the Xeon
• Market segment: Mobile for the Core i9, Server/Workstation for the Xeon
• Production status: End-of-life for the Core i9, active for the Xeon
• Release date: April 22, 2019 for the Core i9, February 23, 2022 for the Xeon
• Launch MSRP: Not recorded for the Core i9, $730 for the Xeon
• Multiplier unlocked: Yes for the Core i9, no for the Xeon
• Part number: SRFD0 for the Core i9, SRLBW for the Xeon

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multicore Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1732TE scores 12052, while the Intel Core i9-9980HK scores 11836. The Xeon leads by 1.8%.

Q: Does the Core i9-9980HK win any head-to-head benchmark?

A: No. The database records six head-to-head comparisons, all in the Cinebench suite, and the Xeon D-1732TE wins all six. The Core i9's smallest deficit is 1.7% in Cinebench R15 multicore.

Q: What memory features separate the two processors?

A: The Core i9 uses a dual-channel DDR4 bus with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC support. The Xeon uses a triple-channel DDR4 bus with 64.0 GB/s bandwidth and supports ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Core i9-9980HK has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, compared to 3.00 GHz for the Xeon D-1732TE. Despite the lower clock, the Xeon still wins all recorded benchmarks.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. The Core i9-9980HK is end-of-life, while the Xeon D-1732TE is an active product.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The Core i9-9980HK has an average benchmark score of 3577, placing it at the 55th percentile of all CPUs. The Xeon D-1732TE has an average benchmark score of 3486, placing it at the 54th percentile.