Intel Xeon E-2236 vs Intel Core i7-8700

The Intel Core i7-8700, introduced in the fourth quarter of 2017, is a desktop processor for the consumer market, ideal for all-round PCs and gaming.

The Intel Xeon E-2236, available from the second quarter of 2019, targets entry-level servers and workstations that require reliable performance for professional applications.

Both CPUs are manufactured by Intel using a 14nm process and are based on the Coffee Lake S architecture. Both processors feature 6 cores and 12 threads and offer a maximum memory bandwidth of 43 GB/s as well as 12 MB of Level 3 Cache. They support PCIe 3.0. In benchmarks, the Intel Xeon E-2236 consistently shows higher single-core performance than the Intel Core i7-8700, with a lead of over 10 percent.

The Intel Xeon E-2236 also delivers comparably better multi-core performance. For gaming scenarios, the Intel Xeon E-2236 can offer slight advantages due to its generally higher single-core performance. The Intel Core i7-8700 features integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 for basic video output, while the Intel Xeon E-2236 has no integrated graphics unit.

In terms of energy efficiency, the Intel Core i7-8700, with a TDP of 65 watts, is more economical than the Intel Xeon E-2236, whose TDP is 80 watts. The Intel Core i7-8700 is suitable for all-round PCs and gaming. The Intel Xeon E-2236, on the other hand, is the better choice for computationally intensive tasks and workstation environments, as it offers stronger computing power.