Core i9-11900T vs Xeon E-2356G

Intel

Core i9-11900T

8 Cores16 Thrd35 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2021
VS
Intel

Xeon E-2356G

6 Cores12 Thrd80 WWMax: 5 GHz2021

Core i9-11900T vs Xeon E-2356G 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 i9-11900T vs Xeon E-2356G 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 i9-11900T vs Xeon E-2356G: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-11900T

2021

Why buy it

  • βœ…+0.9% higher PassMark.
  • βœ…+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
  • βœ…Draws 35W instead of 80W, a 45W reduction.
  • βœ…100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • βœ…Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 750, while Xeon E-2356G needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 42.4 vs 59.4 PassMark/$ ($439 MSRP vs $311 MSRP).

Xeon E-2356G

2021

Why buy it

  • βœ…Costs $128 less on MSRP ($311 MSRP vs $439 MSRP).
  • βœ…Delivers 39.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 59.4 vs 42.4 PassMark/$ ($311 MSRP vs $439 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark (18,459 vs 18,620).
  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
  • ❌128.6% higher power demand at 80W vs 35W.
  • ❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-11900T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
  • ❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i9-11900T.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-11900T better than Xeon E-2356G?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E-2356G makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i9-11900T is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-11900T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i9-11900T is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E-2356G is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-11900T comes in 41.2% more expensive on MSRP at $439 MSRP versus $311 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E-2356G is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E-2356G is also 39.9% better value on MSRP (59.4 vs 42.4 PassMark/$), 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 i9-11900T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB), more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 6/12, 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 i9-11900T vs Xeon E-2356G Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i9-11900T

The Core i9-11900T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 18,620 points. Launch price was $299.

Intel

Xeon E-2356G

The Xeon E-2356G is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Rocket Lake-E (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 18,459 points. Launch price was $800.

⚑

Processing Power

The Core i9-11900T packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E-2356G offers 6 cores / 12 threads β€” the Core i9-11900T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i9-11900T versus 5 GHz on the Xeon E-2356G β€” a 2% clock advantage for the Xeon E-2356G (base: 1.5 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i9-11900T uses the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E-2356G uses Rocket Lake-E (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-11900T scores 18,620 against the Xeon E-2356G's 18,459 β€” a 0.9% lead for the Core i9-11900T. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-11900T vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon E-2356G.

FeatureCore i9-11900TXeon E-2356G
Cores / Threads
8 / 16+33%
6 / 12
Boost Clock
4.9 GHz
5 GHz+2%
Base Clock
1.5 GHz
3.2 GHz+113%
L3 Cache
16 MB (total)+33%
12 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
512K (per core)+100%
Process
14 nm
14 nm
Architecture
Rocket Lake (2021)
Rocket Lake-E (2021)
PassMark
18,620
18,459
Geekbench 6 Single
2,100
β€”
Geekbench 6 Multi
9,200
β€”
🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1200 socket with PCIe 3.0.

FeatureCore i9-11900TXeon E-2356G
Socket
LGA1200
LGA1200
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200
β€”
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
β€”
RAM Channels
2
β€”
ECC Support
No
β€”
PCIe Lanes
20
β€”
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-11900T) / not specified (Xeon E-2356G). The Core i9-11900T includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 750), while the Xeon E-2356G requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-11900T targets Low Power High Perf Desktop.

FeatureCore i9-11900TXeon E-2356G
Integrated GPU
Yes
β€”
IGPU Model
Intel UHD Graphics 750
β€”
Unlocked
No
β€”
AVX-512
Yes
β€”
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
β€”
Target Use
Low Power High Perf Desktop
β€”
πŸ’°

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-11900T was priced at $439, while the Xeon E-2356G came in at $311. On launch pricing ($439 vs $311), Xeon E-2356G was $128 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-11900T delivers 42.4 pts/$ vs 59.4 pts/$ for the Xeon E-2356G β€” making the Xeon E-2356G the 33.3% better value option.

FeatureCore i9-11900TXeon E-2356G
MSRP
$439
$311-29%
Performance per Dollar
42.4
59.4+40%
Release Date
2021
2021

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