Stations de travail Intel Core contre Intel Xeon

Comparison between Intel Core and Intel Xeon for workstations

Two of the biggest names in high-powered workstation processors are Intel® Core™ and Intel® Xeon®. Both are highly advanced processors, prized for their high core counts, impressive computing speeds, and other high-end capabilities. So which chip should you choose?

Most PC workstations sold today feature one of these advanced Intel processors, whether it's a Xeon W or Xeon E model or one of the high-speed Core i7 or Core i9 chips. In this article, we'll list the features that make these processors so popular and explain their key differences to help you decide which options are best for your next workstation.

Read on to learn more details that will help you choose an Intel Core or Intel Xeon workstation . If you're not yet familiar with the costs and features of Lenovo's various workstations, you can also use these links to review our current offerings:

• ThinkPad Mobile Workstations
• ThinkCentre Desktop Workstations

Also, keep in mind that Intel processors aren’t limited to Core i7, Core i9, and Xeon chips. To learn more about other high-end Intel Core products, check out “ Intel Core i5 vs. Intel Core i7 Processors Compared ” or “ Intel Core i7 vs. Intel Core i9 Processors Compared .”

Comparison between Intel Core and Intel Xeon processors for workstations

Whether they use Core or Xeon processors, workstations have a lot to offer. It’s impossible to go wrong, because there are no bad choices. However, there are some key differences.

Intel Core Workstation Processors

Intel calls the Core i7 processors its “performance” line, while the Core i9 chips are aimed at processor “enthusiasts.” With more cores, higher frequencies, and larger cache allocations than the budget-friendly Core i3 and mainstream Core i5 series, the Core i7 and Core i9 chips are fast and responsive enough to handle today’s most demanding business and professional software.

Table 1 shows the (general) specifications of the late 2020 10th Gen Intel Core i7 processors*.

Table 1 General technical specifications of 10th Generation Intel Core i7 processors (Sept. 2020)

* Products available and announced. Some Intel processor SKUs may not be available on Lenovo PCs. Always check the specifications of the system you are purchasing.

Table 2 shows the (general) specifications of the late 2020 10th Gen Intel Core i9 processors*.

Table 2 General technical specifications of 10th Generation Intel Core i9 processors (Sept. 2020)

* Products available and announced. Some Intel processor SKUs may not be available on Lenovo PCs. Always check the specifications of the system you are purchasing.

Core processors do not support error correction memory, unlike Xeon processors (see below). However, for advanced users, Core i7 and Core i9 processors can be overclocked. When conditions are right, overclocking allows the user to temporarily use the processor at higher than rated speeds. Xeon processors do not offer this feature.

Intel Xeon Workstation Processors

Intel Xeon processors offer similar frequencies and cache sizes to the top-rated Core models. However, the Xeon family has a much higher maximum core count. NOTE: This discussion is limited to Xeon chips designed for the laptop/desktop/workstation market, excluding embedded and server-oriented Xeon products.

Table 3 shows the general specifications of the late 2020* mainstream Intel Xeon processors for workstations, laptops, and desktops.

Table 3 General technical specifications of Intel Xeon processors for mainstream workstations (Sept. 2020)

* Products available and announced. Some Intel processor SKUs may not be available on Lenovo PCs. Always check the specifications of the system you are purchasing.

Xeon workstation processors also support error-correcting code (ECC) memory, while Core workstation models do not.

ECC memory (typically a server-grade feature) in Xeon chips is especially useful in workstations used for demanding, mission-critical computing. ECC memory can find and correct 99.999% of soft memory errors before they become problems. This significantly reduces data corruption and system crashes that destroy work.

If you're not sure what processor a particular Lenovo workstation has, the answer is easy to find. Start by looking at the specifications listed below each product image. The processor options will be listed there. You can also follow one of the "Learn More" links to get full details on each PC you're considering.

Advantages of Xeon and Core Workstations

The other big question is, of course, cost. From a strictly financial perspective, Core processors generally have a lower cost per core than Xeon processors with similar speeds. But if you look more closely, you'll see that each chip has advantages for different types of workstation users :

• Why buy an Intel Xeon workstation?

  Intel Xeon workstations are popular with users who run advanced CAD applications, work with sensitive financial data, or operate in environments where system failures can seriously impact the bottom line. These users cannot tolerate unexpected shutdowns and so-called “silent” data corruption errors. For them, ECC memory support provides a level of reliability and peace of mind that makes them willing to pay more for Xeon processors.

• Why buy an Intel Core workstation?

  Intel Core workstations (either with Core i7 or Core i9 processors) are ideal for users who need Xeon-like speed and responsiveness to run the same or similar compute-intensive applications, but on more limited budgets. They are also suitable for users who want the ability to overclock their processor when operating conditions permit. For all but the most sensitive workloads, such as image rendering or data analysis, a Core workstation is a good choice.

Xeon workstation processors also have server-class availability and reliability features that give them an edge over Core models for certain tasks. However, Core workstation processors typically include integrated graphics options that are not always available in the Xeon lineup.

Ready to choose? Explore our popular Lenovo mobile workstations to find the Intel Core or advanced Intel Xeon processor that’s right for you.

Intel, Intel Core and Intel Xeon are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries.