Intel Core i5-14401E vs Intel Xeon W-2155 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between the Intel Core i5-14401E and the Intel Xeon W-2155 is remarkably one-sided. Across all six Cinebench tests recorded in the database, the Core i5-14401E emerges as the winner, with a consistent 3.6% margin in every single workload. The pattern is uniform: whether the test stresses one core or all available cores, the newer processor maintains the same relative advantage.

In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Core i5-14401E scores 18,161 against the Xeon W-2155's 17,538. That 623-point gap translates to the 3.6% lead that appears throughout the dataset. The single-core R23 results follow the same trajectory, with 2,564 for the i5-14401E and 2,475 for the Xeon W-2155. The consistency of the delta is striking; it suggests the performance difference is not workload-dependent but rather a fundamental characteristic of the two architectures.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the multicore scores are 7,627 for the Core i5-14401E and 7,365 for the Xeon W-2155. The single-core R20 numbers are 1,076 and 1,039 respectively. In the older Cinebench R15 test, the multicore result shows 1,830 for the i5-14401E versus 1,767 for the Xeon, while single-core R15 records 258 against 249. Every test shows the same 3.6% delta, which indicates a stable and predictable performance relationship between these two processors.

The average benchmark score in the database reinforces this picture. The Core i5-14401E posts an average score of 5,253, while the Xeon W-2155 averages 5,072. Both processors sit at the 60th percentile when measured against all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy the same overall tier despite the i5-14401E's consistent edge in these specific tests. The nearest rivals for the i5-14401E include the Intel Xeon E5-2699A v4 with an average score of 5,259 (a 0.1% difference), the Intel Core i7-11700B at 5,241 (0.2% ahead), and the Intel Core i9-10850K at 5,240 (0.2% ahead). For the Xeon W-2155, the closest competitors are the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5750GE at 5,070 (a 0% difference), the Intel Core i9-12900TE at 5,050 (0.4% behind), and the Intel Core i7-11850HE at 5,095 (0.4% ahead). These rival groupings place both chips in similar company, yet the head-to-head tests consistently favor the i5-14401E.

Architecture Differences

The underlying designs of these two processors could hardly be more different. The Intel Core i5-14401E is built on Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-R refresh, using a 10 nm process node from Intel's own foundry. The Xeon W-2155, by contrast, relies on the older Skylake architecture, specifically Skylake-W, fabricated on a 14 nm process. This generational gap in manufacturing technology helps explain why the newer chip achieves higher performance despite having fewer cores.

Core counts favor the Xeon in raw numbers. The Xeon W-2155 offers 10 cores and 20 threads, while the Core i5-14401E provides 6 cores and 12 threads. Yet the benchmark results show the 6-core chip outperforming the 10-core chip across the board. The architectural efficiency of Raptor Lake over Skylake is substantial enough to overcome the 4-core deficit.

Cache configurations also differ significantly. The Core i5-14401E carries 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The Xeon W-2155 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 13.75 MB of shared L3. The larger caches on the i5-14401E, combined with its newer architecture, contribute to its superior per-core performance. The die size difference is notable as well: the i5-14401E measures 215 mm², while the Xeon W-2155 spans a much larger 484 mm². That larger die reflects the older process node and the workstation-oriented design of the Xeon.

Clock speeds tell a nuanced story. The Xeon W-2155 has a higher base clock of 3.30 GHz compared to the i5-14401E's 2.50 GHz. However, the boost clock favors the i5-14401E at 4.70 GHz versus 4.50 GHz for the Xeon. The higher boost capability of the newer chip, combined with its architectural improvements, explains why it wins in both single-core and multi-core tests despite the Xeon's base clock advantage.

Memory architecture diverges as well. The Xeon W-2155 supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with a recorded bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s. The Core i5-14401E uses dual-channel DDR4 or DDR5 memory, with no specific bandwidth figure recorded in the database. Both processors support ECC memory, which matters for workstation and server reliability. The PCIe capabilities differ markedly: the i5-14401E offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes, while the Xeon W-2155 provides Gen 3 with 48 lanes. The newer generation of PCIe on the i5-14401E offers higher per-lane bandwidth, while the Xeon's greater lane count supports more expansion devices.

Where Each One Wins

The Core i5-14401E wins every benchmark in this comparison, so the use-case split is less about which chip performs better and more about which workloads are best served by the margins involved. The 3.6% advantage in single-core tests matters for applications that rely heavily on per-thread performance, such as legacy software, certain simulation tools, and tasks that are difficult to parallelize. The same 3.6% lead in multi-core tests indicates that even fully threaded workloads, like video rendering or scientific computing, run slightly faster on the i5-14401E.

The Xeon W-2155 does have structural advantages that the benchmarks do not capture. Its 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes support far more expansion cards, storage controllers, and GPUs than the i5-14401E's 16 Gen 5 lanes. The quad-channel memory interface provides greater memory bandwidth, recorded at 85.3 GB/s, which benefits memory-intensive workstation tasks like large in-memory databases or complex fluid dynamics simulations. The Xeon also targets the server and workstation market segment, while the i5-14401E is classified as desktop hardware.

The production status differs as well. The Core i5-14401E is listed as active, meaning it remains a current product. The Xeon W-2155 is end-of-life, which affects long-term availability and platform support. For new system builds, the i5-14401E offers a more future-proof path. The Xeon's release date of August 2017 places it several years behind the i5-14401E's June 2024 launch, and that age shows in the benchmark results.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification field recorded in the database. Core counts: 6 versus 10. Thread counts: 12 versus 20. Base clock: 2.50 GHz versus 3.30 GHz. Boost clock: 4.70 GHz versus 4.50 GHz. Thermal design power: 65 watts for the i5-14401E versus 140 watts for the Xeon W-2155. The lower TDP of the i5-14401E indicates it generates less heat and requires less substantial cooling, though the database does not specify cooler requirements.

Sockets are entirely different: the i5-14401E uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Xeon W-2155 uses Intel Socket 2066. These sockets are not interchangeable, so platform choice is dictated by the processor. The process node differs (10 nm versus 14 nm), as does the die size (215 mm² versus 484 mm²). Memory support: the i5-14401E accepts DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel configuration, while the Xeon W-2155 accepts only DDR4 in quad-channel configuration with a documented bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s.

PCIe generations and lane counts diverge: Gen 5 with 16 lanes for the i5-14401E, Gen 3 with 48 lanes for the Xeon. Integrated graphics are present on the i5-14401E (UHD Graphics 730) but absent on the Xeon W-2155. The Xeon carries a launch MSRP of $1440, while no launch MSRP is recorded for the i5-14401E. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The part numbers differ: Q49JSRNJS for the i5-14401E and SR3LR for the Xeon. The Xeon's market segment is server/workstation, while the i5-14401E targets desktop use.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2155 has 10 cores and 20 threads, while the Intel Core i5-14401E has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Does the Core i5-14401E outperform the Xeon W-2155 in all recorded benchmarks?

A: Yes. The Core i5-14401E wins all six Cinebench tests (R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multicore), with a 3.6% advantage in every test.

Q: What memory configurations do these processors support?

A: The Core i5-14401E supports dual-channel DDR4 or DDR5 memory. The Xeon W-2155 supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with a recorded bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i5-14401E and the Intel Xeon W-2155 support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i5-14401E includes UHD Graphics 730. The Intel Xeon W-2155 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The Intel Core i5-14401E is listed as active, while the Intel Xeon W-2155 is listed as end-of-life.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear conclusion for most users: the Intel Core i5-14401E delivers better performance in every benchmark recorded, while consuming less power and using a newer manufacturing process. Its 3.6% lead across all Cinebench tests, combined with a 65 watt TDP versus 140 watts for the Xeon, makes it the more efficient choice for computing tasks that the benchmarks measure. The i5-14401E also offers integrated graphics, newer PCIe Gen 5 support, and active production status, which simplifies system building and future maintenance.

The Xeon W-2155 retains relevance only in specific scenarios that its architecture supports but the benchmarks do not directly measure. Its 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes and quad-channel memory with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth make it better suited for systems requiring extensive expansion capability and high memory throughput. The workstation classification and larger die size indicate a design intended for sustained heavy workloads rather than general desktop use. However, the end-of-life status and older Skylake architecture limit its appeal for new deployments.

For a desktop system focused on general productivity, content creation, or software development, the Core i5-14401E is the stronger choice based on the recorded data. It wins every benchmark, uses less power, and offers more modern platform features. For a specialized workstation requiring maximum PCIe expansion and quad-channel memory bandwidth, the Xeon W-2155 provides structural advantages that the benchmark scores do not capture, though its performance in these tests still trails the i5-14401E. The choice ultimately depends on whether the workload prioritizes raw compute performance, where the i5-14401E leads, or platform expansion capabilities, where the Xeon's 48 lanes and quad-channel interface stand out.