Core i7-11390H vs Xeon E-2234

Intel

Core i7-11390H

4 Cores8 Thrd28 WWMax: 5 GHz2021
Core family
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VS
Intel

Xeon E-2234

4 Cores8 Thrd71 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2019
Similar parts
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Core i7-11390H vs Xeon E-2234 Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i7-11390H vs Xeon E-2234 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i7-11390H vs Xeon E-2234: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i7-11390H

2021

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +9.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
  • Draws 28W instead of 71W, a 43W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics 96EU, while Xeon E-2234 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Xeon E-2234

2019

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-11390H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • Lower PassMark (9,639 vs 9,798).
    • Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
    • Launch MSRP is still $250 MSRP, while Core i7-11390H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
    • 153.6% higher power demand at 71W vs 28W.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Core i7-11390H better than Xeon E-2234?
    Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E-2234 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-11390H is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.
    Which one is better for gaming?
    If gaming is the priority, Core i7-11390H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 9.4% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
    Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
    For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-11390H is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Core i7-11390H is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E-2234 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-11390H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E-2234 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (38.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    Core i7-11390H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2019), 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB), more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

    Core i7-11390H vs Xeon E-2234 Technical Specifications

    Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

    Intel

    Core i7-11390H

    The Core i7-11390H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 June 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-H35 (2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1449. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 9,798 points. Launch price was $149.

    Intel

    Xeon E-2234

    The Xeon E-2234 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 May 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 71 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 9,639 points. Launch price was $250.

    Processing Power

    Both the Core i7-11390H and Xeon E-2234 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i7-11390H versus 4.8 GHz on the Xeon E-2234 — a 4.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-11390H (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i7-11390H uses the Tiger Lake-H35 (2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Xeon E-2234 uses Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-11390H scores 9,798 against the Xeon E-2234's 9,639 — a 1.6% lead for the Core i7-11390H. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-11390H vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E-2234.

    FeatureCore i7-11390HXeon E-2234
    Cores / Threads
    4 / 8
    4 / 8
    Boost Clock
    5 GHz+4%
    4.8 GHz
    Base Clock
    2.9 GHz
    3.6 GHz+24%
    L3 Cache
    12 MB (total)+50%
    8 MB (total)
    L2 Cache
    1.25 MB (per core)+400%
    256 kB (per core)
    Process
    10 nm SuperFin-29%
    14 nm
    Architecture
    Tiger Lake-H35 (2021)
    Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019)
    PassMark
    9,798+2%
    9,639
    Geekbench 6 Single
    1,948
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Core i7-11390H uses the FCBGA1449 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E-2234 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

    FeatureCore i7-11390HXeon E-2234
    Socket
    FCBGA1449
    LGA1151
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 4.0+33%
    PCIe 3.0
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR4-3200
    Max RAM Capacity
    64 GB
    RAM Channels
    2
    ECC Support
    No
    PCIe Lanes
    20
    🔧

    Advanced Features

    Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-11390H) / not specified (Xeon E-2234). The Core i7-11390H includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics 96EU), while the Xeon E-2234 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-11390H targets Thin & Light Gaming Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-11390H rivals Ryzen 7 5800U.

    FeatureCore i7-11390HXeon E-2234
    Integrated GPU
    Yes
    IGPU Model
    Iris Xe Graphics 96EU
    Unlocked
    No
    AVX-512
    Yes
    Virtualization
    VT-x, VT-d, EPT
    Target Use
    Thin & Light Gaming Laptop