CPU Comparison

The Intel Xeon E-2134 and Intel Xeon D-1557 are both server/workstation processors, but the benchmark data shows they deliver nearly identical performance in Cinebench tests, despite vastly different core counts and architectures. The E-2134 wins every single head-to-head benchmark by a narrow margin of 1.6% to 1.8%, making it the faster chip in all measured workloads, while the D-1557 counters with a much lower 45 TDP and active production status.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The E-2134 sweeps all six Cinebench comparisons, though the margins are consistently slim. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the E-2134 scores 808 against the D-1557's 795, a 1.6% advantage. The single-core R15 result is similar: 114 versus 112, a 1.8% lead. Moving to Cinebench R20, the E-2134 posts 3367 in multi-core versus 3314 for the D-1557, again a 1.6% gap; single-core R20 shows 475 against 467, a 1.7% edge. The pattern holds in Cinebench R23, where the E-2134 reaches 8018 multi-core and 1132 single-core, while the D-1557 manages 7892 and 1114 respectively, both 1.6% behind.

The fact that a 4-core/8-thread chip beats a 12-core/24-thread chip in multi-core workloads is striking. The E-2134's boost clock of 4.50 GHz compared to the D-1557's 2.10 GHz explains much of this, the D-1557 has three times the cores but cannot overcome its much lower clock speed in these specific benchmarks. Average benchmark scores reinforce this: the E-2134 sits at 2319, placing it at the 48th percentile of all CPUs, while the D-1557 averages 2282 and ranks at the 47th percentile. The E-2134's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 7 2700 with an average score of 2320, a delta of -0.1%, meaning the E-2134 is essentially tied with that chip. The D-1557's closest competitor is the Intel Xeon E5-2629 v3 at 2283, a 0% delta, again a dead heat.

Neither processor dominates its peer group. The E-2134 trails the Intel Xeon E3-1285 v6 (2348 average) by 1.2% but beats the Intel Core i7-8809G (2307) by 0.5%. The D-1557 is ahead of the Intel Core i3-10305 (2264) by 0.8% and the Intel Core i7-1068NG7 (2259) by 1%, while falling 0.9% short of the Intel Core i5-10400H (2303). These deltas are all within noise, indicating both chips sit in a crowded performance band.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and design philosophies. The E-2134 uses the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake-S WS codename, built on a 14 nm process with a die size of 126 mm². The D-1557 uses the older Broadwell architecture (Broadwell-DE codename), also on 14 nm but with a substantially larger die at 246 mm² and 3,200 million transistors, the E-2134's transistor count is not listed in the data.

Clock speeds diverge sharply. The E-2134 has a 3.50 GHz base clock and a 4.50 GHz boost clock. The D-1557 lists a base clock of 1500.00 (interpreted as 1.50 GHz) and a boost of 2.10 GHz. This 2.4 GHz boost advantage for the E-2134 is the primary driver of its benchmark wins.

Cache configurations also differ. Both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core. The E-2134 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the D-1557 provides 1.5 MB of L3 per core, on a 12-core chip, that totals 18 MB, though the total L3 field is not specified. The E-2134's shared design suits its lower core count; the D-1557's per-core allocation scales with its 12 cores.

Memory support and I/O also separate them. The E-2134 supports DDR4 only, with dual-channel memory and 42.7 GB/s bandwidth. The D-1557 supports both DDR3 and DDR4, also dual-channel, but its memory bandwidth is not listed. PCIe lanes differ: the E-2134 offers 16 lanes of PCIe Gen 3, while the D-1557 has 24 lanes of PCIe Gen 3, the D-1557 provides more expansion headroom. The E-2134 includes integrated UHD Graphics P630; the D-1557 has no integrated graphics. Both support ECC memory and are socketed differently: the E-2134 uses Intel Socket 1151, while the D-1557 uses Intel BGA 1667, which is a soldered, non-upgradeable format.

Production status and release timing differ. The E-2134 was released on 2018-07-11 and is end-of-life. The D-1557 launched earlier on 2016-02-23 but remains active in production.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon E-2134 wins every benchmark by a consistent 1.6% to 1.8% margin. For any workload measured in Cinebench, whether single-core or multi-core, the E-2134 is the faster processor. Its 4-core/8-thread design with a 4.50 GHz boost clock outpaces the D-1557's 12-core/24-thread configuration running at 2.10 GHz. The E-2134 also sits at a higher percentile (48th versus 47th) and has a higher average benchmark score (2319 versus 2282).

However, the D-1557 is not without merit. It draws only 45 W TDP versus the E-2134's 71 W, making it significantly more power-efficient for dense server deployments. It remains in active production, whereas the E-2134 is end-of-life. The D-1557 also offers 24 PCIe Gen 3 lanes versus 16, and supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, providing more flexibility in existing infrastructure. Its 12 cores may be advantageous in highly parallel workloads not represented in the Cinebench suite, though the data available does not show any such benefit.

For buyers prioritizing raw benchmark performance, the choice is the E-2134. For those prioritizing low power consumption, active availability, and I/O flexibility, the D-1557 has clear advantages. The E-2134's launch MSRP is $256; the D-1557's is $694.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core Cinebench tests?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2134 wins all multi-core tests: 808 versus 795 in R15, 3367 versus 3314 in R20, and 8018 versus 7892 in R23, each by 1.6%.

Q: How do the single-core scores compare?

A: The E-2134 leads in every single-core test: 114 versus 112 in R15 (1.8%), 475 versus 467 in R20 (1.7%), and 1132 versus 1114 in R23 (1.6%).

Q: Does the D-1557's 12-core count give it any benchmark advantage?

A: No. Despite having three times the cores (12 versus 4) and triple the threads (24 versus 8), the D-1557 loses all multi-core benchmarks by 1.6%, likely due to its much lower 2.10 GHz boost clock versus 4.50 GHz.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The D-1557 has a 45 W TDP, while the E-2134 has a 71 W TDP. The D-1557 uses 26 W less under its rated thermal design power.

Q: Which processor is still in production?

A: The D-1557 is listed as active production, released on 2016-02-23. The E-2134 is end-of-life, released on 2018-07-11.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the E-2134 and D-1557 list ECC memory support as true. However, the E-2134 supports only DDR4, while the D-1557 supports both DDR3 and DDR4.

Where Each One Wins

The E-2134 wins in every measurable benchmark category. It is superior in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both single-core and multi-core, with margins ranging from 1.6% to 1.8%. Its 4.50 GHz boost clock and 8 MB shared L3 cache make it the stronger choice for clock-sensitive workloads. It also has a better percentile ranking (48th versus 47th) and a higher average benchmark score (2319 versus 2282). The E-2134 includes integrated graphics, which the D-1557 lacks, useful for systems that need a display output without a discrete GPU.

The D-1557 wins on operational characteristics, not performance. Its 45 W TDP makes it more suitable for power-constrained environments like dense blade servers or network appliances. Its 24 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (versus 16) provide more room for expansion cards, NVMe storage, or networking hardware. Dual memory support (DDR3 and DDR4) eases upgrades from older platforms. Its active production status means it is still available for new designs, while the E-2134 is end-of-life. The D-1557's 12 cores could theoretically benefit workloads that scale linearly with core count, though the Cinebench data does not demonstrate this advantage.

Specification Differences

The table below highlights only the fields where the two processors differ.

| Specification | Intel Xeon E-2134 | Intel Xeon D-1557 |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 4 | 12 |

| Threads | 8 | 24 |

| Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 1.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.50 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| TDP | 71 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | Intel BGA 1667 |

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Broadwell |

| Codename | Coffee Lake-S WS | Broadwell |

| Generation | Xeon E (Coffee Lake) | Xeon D (Broadwell-DE) |

| Transistors | Not listed | 3,200 million |

| Die Size | 126 mm² | 246 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 1.5 MB (per core) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3, DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 42.7 GB/s | Not listed |

| PCIe Lanes | Gen 3, 16 Lanes | Gen 3, 24 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics P630 | None |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2018-07-11 | 2016-02-23 |

| Launch MSRP | $256 | $694 |

| Part Number | SR3WP | SR2M4 |

Both chips share the same 14 nm process, dual-channel memory bus, ECC support, and locked multipliers. The E-2134's higher clock speeds and the D-1557's higher core count represent fundamentally different design targets within Intel's Xeon lineup.