CPU Comparison

The Intel Xeon D-1577 and Intel Xeon E-2226G are both server/workstation processors from Intel, but they target different extremes of the same market. The D-1577 is a 16-core Broadwell-DE part designed for dense, low-power environments, while the E-2226G is a 6-core Coffee Lake-S WS chip built for higher clock speeds and integrated graphics. Benchmark data shows they are remarkably close in overall performance, with the D-1577 taking a narrow lead across every Cinebench test. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical: 2715 for the D-1577 versus 2709 for the E-2226G, a delta of just 0.2%. This makes them direct rivals, as reflected in the nearestRivals data, which lists each as within 0.2% of the other.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are unusually one-sided in terms of wins, though the margins are razor-thin. The Intel Xeon D-1577 wins all six Cinebench comparisons, but in five of those six tests, the winning margin is only 0.2%. The single-core test in Cinebench R15 is the only exact tie, with both processors scoring 133. The D-1577's largest victory is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 9389 against the E-2226G's 9368, a difference of 21 points. That 0.2% edge is consistent across the R20 multi-core (3943 vs 3934) and R15 multi-core (946 vs 944) tests.

The single-core results tell a similar story. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the D-1577 scores 556 versus 555 for the E-2226G, a 0.2% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the margin is again 0.2%, with scores of 1325 and 1322 respectively. This is notable because the E-2226G has a much higher boost clock (4.70 GHz versus 2.10 GHz), yet the older Broadwell architecture of the D-1577 manages to keep pace in per-thread performance. The data suggests that the D-1577's 16 cores and 32 threads do not hurt its single-threaded efficiency, at least in these Cinebench workloads.

The overall picture is one of parity. With an average benchmark score of 2715, the D-1577 sits in the 50th percentile of all CPUs, with its nearest rival being the Intel Core i7-11390H at exactly the same score. The E-2226G, with an average of 2709, is also in the 50th percentile, and its nearest rival list includes the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5650U (2713, -0.2%) and the Intel Core i7-1185G7E (2703, 0.2%). Neither chip offers a meaningful performance advantage over the other in Cinebench, so the decision between them must rest on architectural and platform differences rather than raw scores.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras. The Intel Xeon D-1577 is built on the Broadwell architecture, specifically the Broadwell-DE generation, which was designed for compact, power-efficient servers. It uses a 14 nm process node and has a die size of 246 mm², with 3,200 million transistors. In contrast, the Intel Xeon E-2226G is based on Coffee Lake-S WS, part of the Xeon E-2200 series, also on a 14 nm node but with a smaller die size of 154 mm². The E-2226G's transistor count is not listed, which is a notable gap in the specifications.

Core and thread counts are the most obvious divergence. The D-1577 offers 16 cores and 32 threads, while the E-2226G provides only 6 cores and 6 threads. This means the D-1577 has more than double the core count and over five times the thread count. However, the E-2226G compensates with much higher clock speeds: a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz, versus the D-1577's 1.30 GHz base and 2.10 GHz boost. The D-1577's lower clocks are a direct result of its 45 W TDP, while the E-2226G is rated at 80 W.

Cache layouts also differ significantly. Both processors have 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, but the L3 cache is organized differently. The D-1577 uses a per-core allocation of 1.5 MB, which for 16 cores implies a large total L3, though the total is not listed. The E-2226G uses a shared 12 MB L3 cache. Memory support shows the D-1577 is more flexible, accepting both DDR3 and DDR4, whereas the E-2226G only supports DDR4. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the E-2226G lists a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while the D-1577 does not provide a figure.

The integrated graphics distinction is important. The E-2226G includes HD Graphics P630, while the D-1577 has no integrated graphics. This means the E-2226G can drive a display without a discrete GPU, which is a significant feature for certain workstation builds. The PCIe configurations also differ: the D-1577 provides 24 Gen 3 lanes, while the E-2226G offers 16 Gen 3 lanes. Both support ECC memory, which is essential for server reliability.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1577 has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Xeon E-2226G has 6 cores and 6 threads.

Q: What are the clock speed differences between the two?

A: The D-1577 has a base clock of 1.30 GHz and a boost clock of 2.10 GHz. The E-2226G has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon D-1577 and the Intel Xeon E-2226G support ECC memory. The D-1577 supports both DDR3 and DDR4, while the E-2226G supports only DDR4.

Q: Which chip includes integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2226G includes HD Graphics P630. The Intel Xeon D-1577 does not have any integrated graphics.

Q: How do their Cinebench R23 multi-core scores compare?

A: The D-1577 scores 9389, and the E-2226G scores 9368. The D-1577 leads by 0.2%.

Q: What is the launch MSRP for each?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1577 has a launch MSRP of 1379. The Intel Xeon E-2226G has a launch MSRP of $255.

Specification Differences

The following table highlights the key specifications where the two processors differ. Fields that are identical are omitted for clarity.

| Specification | Intel Xeon D-1577 | Intel Xeon E-2226G |

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

| Cores | 16 | 6 |

| Threads | 32 | 6 |

| Base Clock | 1.30 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 2.10 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 80 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1667 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Broadwell | Coffee Lake |

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

| Die Size | 246 mm² | 154 mm² |

| Transistors | 3,200 million | Not listed |

| L3 Cache | 1.5 MB (per core) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3, DDR4 | DDR4 |

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

| PCIe Lanes | 24 (Gen 3) | 16 (Gen 3) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | HD Graphics P630 |

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

| Release Date | 2016-02-23 | 2019-05-28 |

| Launch MSRP | 1379 | $255 |

| Part Number | SR2M2 | SRF7F |

The Verdict

The data points to a clear but nuanced conclusion. If the workload is heavily multithreaded and power efficiency is a priority, the Intel Xeon D-1577 is the better choice. Its 16 cores and 32 threads provide a theoretical advantage in parallel tasks, and its 45 W TDP is far lower than the E-2226G's 80 W. The benchmark results confirm that the D-1577 holds a slight edge in every Cinebench multi-core test, even if the margins are minimal. Its active production status also suggests longer availability for new designs.

However, the Intel Xeon E-2226G has its own strengths that the benchmarks do not capture. The inclusion of HD Graphics P630 means it can operate in systems without a discrete graphics card, which is a functional advantage for basic display output. The much higher boost clock of 4.70 GHz will benefit lightly threaded applications that are not represented in the Cinebench scores. The E-2226G also uses a standard LGA 1151 socket, which may offer more motherboard options compared to the D-1577's BGA 1667 soldered design.

The release dates are informative. The D-1577 launched in 2016, while the E-2226G came three years later in 2019. The E-2226G is end-of-life, whereas the D-1577 remains active. For new deployments, the D-1577 is the safer choice from a lifecycle perspective, despite its older architecture. The E-2226G's lower launch MSRP of $255 versus the D-1577's 1379 is a significant difference, but the D-1577's higher core count and lower TDP justify its higher price for server workloads.

In terms of raw performance, the two chips are effectively tied. The D-1577 wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, but by no more than 0.2%. This means that for most applications, the choice should be dictated by platform requirements, not benchmark scores. The E-2226G is for users who need integrated graphics, high clock speeds, and a modular socket. The D-1577 is for users who need many cores, low power, and a compact BGA form factor. Based strictly on the data, the D-1577 is the winner in performance, but the E-2226G remains competitive in specific use cases.