CPU Comparison

The benchmark data presents a stark generational and market-segment divide. The Intel Xeon W-2191B is the decisive winner in every single head-to-head benchmark, often by a margin of over 80%. The Intel Atom x7405C, while competitive in its own efficiency-focused niche, is completely outclassed in raw compute performance. The most telling statistic is the win count: the Xeon secures 6 wins out of 6 head-to-head tests, leaving the Atom with zero.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most significant performance gap appears in multi-threaded workloads, which is expected given the core count disparity. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Xeon W-2191B scores 23,887 points, which is 81.4% higher than the Atom's 4,435 points. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the Xeon's 10,032 points dwarf the Atom's 1,862 points, and in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the margin is 2,407 versus 446. The Xeon's advantage is not merely incremental; it is a generational leap in parallel processing capability.

Single-core performance tells a similar story, though the magnitude is consistent rather than amplified. The Xeon W-2191B leads in Cinebench R23 single-core with a score of 3,372, which is 81.4% ahead of the Atom's 626. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Xeon scores 1,416 against the Atom's 262, a delta of 81.5%. Even in Cinebench R15 single-core, the Xeon's 339 points eclipse the Atom's 62 points. These results indicate that the Xeon's architectural advantage extends beyond core count; its per-core efficiency is also substantially higher.

The average benchmark score further contextualizes this gap. The Atom x7405C has an average benchmark score of 6,568, while the Xeon W-2191B sits at 6,531. Interestingly, this places the Atom marginally ahead in the overall average, despite losing every head-to-head test. This paradox is explained by the fact that the Atom has a much larger benchmark suite in the data pack, including PassMark tests where it performs relatively well, while the Xeon only has Cinebench and Geekbench results. The head-to-head tests are the most reliable comparison metric here.

Looking at the nearest rivals for the Xeon W-2191B, it is nearly identical in average score to the Intel Core i9-7960X, with a deltaPct of 0. It also sits close to the Intel Xeon D-2796TE, which is 0.3% ahead. The Atom x7405C is listed as a rival to the Xeon, with a deltaPct of -0.6, meaning the Atom's average score is 0.6% lower. This confirms that while the Xeon wins every direct benchmark, the Atom's broader test results keep it in the same overall performance tier.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is fundamental. The Intel Atom x7405C is built on the Amston Lake architecture, using a 10 nm process node, while the Intel Xeon W-2191B uses the older Skylake architecture on a 14 nm node. The Atom's process advantage does not translate into performance here; instead, it enables a dramatically lower power envelope. The Atom has a TDP of 12 watts, while the Xeon has a TDP of 140 watts, a difference of over 11 times.

Core and thread counts are the primary performance differentiators. The Atom x7405C has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Xeon W-2191B has 18 cores and 36 threads. This means the Xeon supports simultaneous multithreading, effectively doubling its thread count, whereas the Atom does not. The cache hierarchy also differs significantly. The Atom has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of shared L2 cache, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Xeon has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a much larger 24.75 MB of shared L3 cache.

Memory support is another major divergence. The Atom supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, but only in a single-channel configuration, yielding a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Xeon supports only DDR4, but in a quad-channel configuration, delivering 85.3 GB/s of bandwidth. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, while the Atom does not. The socket types are incompatible: the Atom uses Intel BGA 1264, while the Xeon uses Intel Socket 2066.

PCIe connectivity is also lopsided. The Atom provides Gen 3 with 9 lanes, while the Xeon provides Gen 3 with 48 lanes. This makes the Xeon far more suitable for workstation and server environments with multiple expansion cards. The Xeon also has a significantly larger die size at 484 mm², while the Atom's die size is not listed in the data. The production statuses differ as well: the Atom is listed as "Active," while the Xeon is "End-of-life."

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2191B has a boost clock of 4.30 GHz, which is higher than the Intel Atom x7405C's boost clock of 3.40 GHz.

Q: Does the Intel Atom x7405C support ECC memory?

A: No, the Intel Atom x7405C does not support ECC memory, whereas the Intel Xeon W-2191B does support it.

Q: What is the difference in memory channels between the two?

A: The Intel Atom x7405C uses a single-channel memory bus, while the Intel Xeon W-2191B uses a quad-channel bus.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2191B has 24.75 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Atom x7405C has only 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What is the release date of the Intel Xeon W-2191B?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2191B was released on 2017-12-20, while the Intel Atom x7405C was released on 2024-04-07.

Q: Are both processors currently in production?

A: No, the Intel Atom x7405C is marked as "Active" in production, but the Intel Xeon W-2191B is marked as "End-of-life."

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon W-2191B is the superior processor for any performance-critical workload. It wins every single head-to-head benchmark by a margin of at least 81.4%, including both single-core and multi-core tests. For users who need maximum compute throughput, the Xeon is the only choice between these two.

The Intel Atom x7405C should only be considered for scenarios where power consumption is the absolute priority. Its 12-watt TDP is a fraction of the Xeon's 140-watt TDP, and it offers a more modern 10 nm process. However, its performance is so drastically lower that it cannot compete in any benchmark that matters for general-purpose computing. The Atom's 62nd percentile ranking among all CPUs is the same as the Xeon's, but this is misleading given the different benchmark suites.

The Xeon W-2191B's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i9-7960X with a deltaPct of 0 and the Intel Xeon D-2796TE with a deltaPct of 0.3. This places it in a competitive tier for its era, but its end-of-life status means it is a legacy part. The Atom's nearest rivals, such as the Intel Core i5-13500E, show a deltaPct of -0.3, indicating that the Atom is a solid performer within its own low-power class, but that class is fundamentally different from the Xeon's.

Specification Differences

The specification table highlights the fundamental differences between the two processors. The Intel Atom x7405C has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Intel Xeon W-2191B has 18 cores and 36 threads. The base clocks are 1.70 GHz and 2.30 GHz, respectively, with boost clocks of 3.40 GHz and 4.30 GHz. The TDP difference is substantial: 12 watts versus 140 watts.

The process nodes differ: the Atom uses 10 nm, while the Xeon uses 14 nm. The cache configurations are also distinct, with the Atom having 96 KB L1 per core, 2 MB shared L2, and 6 MB shared L3, while the Xeon has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 24.75 MB shared L3. Memory support varies, with the Atom accepting DDR4 and DDR5 in a single-channel configuration (38.4 GB/s) and the Xeon accepting only DDR4 in a quad-channel configuration (85.3 GB/s). ECC memory is supported only on the Xeon. PCIe lanes are 9 for the Atom and 48 for the Xeon, both Gen 3. The sockets are incompatible, and the Xeon has a die size of 484 mm², while the Atom's is not listed.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon W-2191B wins in every head-to-head benchmark category, including all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests for both single-core and multi-core. This makes it the clear choice for video rendering, 3D modeling, scientific simulations, and any other compute-intensive task that can utilize multiple threads. Its 18 cores and 36 threads, combined with a 24.75 MB L3 cache and 85.3 GB/s memory bandwidth, provide a robust platform for heavy parallel workloads.

The Intel Atom x7405C does not win any head-to-head benchmarks, but it has other advantages. Its 12-watt TDP makes it suitable for fanless or passively cooled embedded systems, mobile devices, and other power-constrained environments. It also supports DDR5 memory, which is a more modern standard, and its 10 nm process node is more recent than the Xeon's 14 nm. The Atom's market segment is listed as "Mobile," while the Xeon is for "Server/Workstation," which underscores the intended use cases. For light, low-power tasks where energy efficiency is paramount, the Atom is the appropriate choice, but for pure performance, the Xeon W-2191B is the definitive winner.