Intel Xeon D-2733NT vs Intel Xeon E-2286M Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon D-2733NT wins every recorded head-to-head test against the Intel Xeon E-2286M. Across six Cinebench workloads, the D-2733NT takes a clean 6-0 sweep, with no single test going the E-2286M's way.

The margin is remarkably consistent. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the D-2733NT scores 1388 against 1295, a 7.2% advantage. The single-core R15 test tells the same story: 195 versus 182, again a 7.1% edge. Moving to Cinebench R20, the D-2733NT posts 5785 multicore and 816 single-core, while the E-2286M manages 5396 and 761 respectively; both deltas sit at 7.2%. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R23, where the D-2733NT reaches 13775 multicore and 1944 single-core, versus 12848 and 1813 for the E-2286M, another 7.2% gap on both metrics.

What is striking is the uniformity of the lead. The D-2733NT does not merely win by a large margin in one test and a small margin in another; it holds a near-identical 7.1% to 7.2% advantage across every workload. This suggests a consistent architectural and clock-related superiority rather than a workload-specific strength. The E-2286M has a higher base clock (2.40 GHz versus 2.10 GHz) and a much higher boost clock (5.00 GHz versus 3.20 GHz), yet it still trails in every measured test. The D-2733NT's newer Ice Lake architecture and its memory subsystem appear to compensate fully for the clock deficit.

Looking beyond the direct comparison, the two processors sit at similar heights in the broader database. The D-2733NT holds a 57th percentile ranking among all CPUs, while the E-2286M sits at the 56th percentile. Their average benchmark scores are close: 3984 for the D-2733NT and 3822 for the E-2286M, a difference of roughly 4.2%. In the nearest rival tables, the D-2733NT is bracketed by the Intel Xeon E-2336 (average score 3985, 0% delta), the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650G (3977, 0.2%), the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5875U (3971, 0.3%), and the Intel Core i7-6900K (3970, 0.4%). The E-2286M, meanwhile, sits near the AMD Ryzen 9 4900H (3820, 0% delta), the Intel Core i7-8086K (3800, 0.6%), the Intel Core i7-9700KF (3787, 0.9%), and the Intel Core i7-11700T (3864, a negative 1.1% delta, meaning the E-2286M actually outperforms that chip in average score).

The practical takeaway from the head-to-head data is straightforward: for Cinebench workloads, which are heavily threaded and sensitive to both core efficiency and memory bandwidth, the D-2733NT is the faster part in every scenario measured. The lead is modest but consistent, and it holds across both multicore and single-core tests, so it is not a matter of one processor favoring a particular workload type.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design eras and different manufacturing processes. The Intel Xeon D-2733NT is built on Intel's 10 nm process node and uses the Ice Lake architecture, specifically the Ice Lake-D variant. The Intel Xeon E-2286M is a 14 nm part based on the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically Coffee Lake-H. This generational gap is central to understanding the benchmark results: the D-2733NT compensates for lower clock speeds with a more modern, denser process and a newer microarchitecture.

Core and thread counts are identical: both processors offer 8 cores and 16 threads. The cache layouts, however, differ meaningfully. The D-2733NT has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, with 15 MB of shared L3 cache. The E-2286M has 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, with 16 MB of shared L3. The D-2733NT's larger per-core L2 cache is a notable architectural advantage, while the E-2286M carries slightly more total L3.

Memory support is another major divergence. Both support DDR4, but the D-2733NT uses a quad-channel memory bus with a theoretical bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s. The E-2286M uses a dual-channel bus with 42.7 GB/s. That is exactly double the memory bandwidth for the D-2733NT, a decisive factor in heavily threaded and memory-sensitive workloads. Both processors support ECC memory, which suits their shared server and workstation market segment.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The D-2733NT offers PCIe Gen 4 with 32 lanes (CPU only), while the E-2286M provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The D-2733NT therefore doubles the lane count and moves to a newer generation, which matters for expandability in server environments.

The E-2286M includes integrated graphics in the form of UHD Graphics P630, while the D-2733NT lists no integrated graphics at all. The D-2733NT is also built on the Intel BGA 2579 socket, whereas the E-2286M uses Intel BGA 1440. The E-2286M has a published die size of 180 mm²; no die size is recorded for the D-2733NT.

Production status separates the two as well. The D-2733NT is marked as Active, while the E-2286M is End-of-life. Release dates reflect this: the D-2733NT launched on 2022-02-23, and the E-2286M launched on 2019-05-28. The E-2286M carries a launch MSRP of $623, while no launch MSRP is recorded for the D-2733NT.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Xeon D-2733NT wins every multi-core test. In Cinebench R23 multicore it scores 13775 versus 12848 for the E-2286M, a 7.2% advantage. The same margin appears in Cinebench R20 (5785 versus 5396) and Cinebench R15 (1388 versus 1295).

Q: Does the E-2286M win any benchmark?

A: No. In the recorded head-to-head data, the D-2733NT wins all six tests: three multi-core and three single-core Cinebench runs. The E-2286M's highest relative performance is in average benchmark score, where it trails by about 4.2% overall.

Q: How do their clock speeds compare?

A: The E-2286M has the higher clocks: 2.40 GHz base and 5.00 GHz boost, versus 2.10 GHz base and 3.20 GHz boost for the D-2733NT. Despite this, the D-2733NT still wins every measured test.

Q: What memory bandwidth do they support?

A: The D-2733NT supports quad-channel DDR4 with 85.3 GB/s of bandwidth. The E-2286M supports dual-channel DDR4 with 42.7 GB/s. This is a major architectural difference favoring the D-2733NT.

Q: Do both support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both processors support ECC memory, which aligns with their server and workstation market segment.

Q: Are these processors still in production?

A: The D-2733NT is listed as Active. The E-2286M is listed as End-of-life.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon D-2733NT | Intel Xeon E-2286M |

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

| Architecture | Ice Lake | Coffee Lake |

| Codename | Ice Lake-D | Coffee Lake-H |

| Generation | Xeon D (Ice Lake-D) | Xeon E (Coffee Lake) |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 14 nm |

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.20 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 80 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 2579 | Intel BGA 1440 |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 256 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 15 MB (shared) | 16 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 85.3 GB/s | 42.7 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 32 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | UHD Graphics P630 |

| Die Size | Not recorded | 180 mm² |

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

| Release Date | 2022-02-23 | 2019-05-28 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $623 |

| Part Number | SRLCJ | SRFCZ |

The two processors share identical core counts (8 cores, 16 threads), both use DDR4 memory, both support ECC, both are manufactured by Intel, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The series field is also a point of difference: the E-2286M belongs to the Xeon E-2200 series, while the D-2733NT has no series listing.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon D-2733NT wins in every measured performance category. Its 7.2% lead across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, in both single-core and multi-core, makes it the clear choice for raw compute throughput. The quad-channel memory bus with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth is a decisive advantage for workloads that saturate memory, such as virtualization, database serving, and large data processing. The PCIe Gen 4 support with 32 lanes doubles the available lane count compared to the E-2286M and moves to a newer generation, which matters for systems requiring high-speed storage or multiple accelerators. The 10 nm process node and newer Ice Lake architecture provide the efficiency gains that allow it to outperform a chip with a much higher boost clock. The D-2733NT also remains in active production, making it the more future-proof option for new system designs.

The Intel Xeon E-2286M has its own advantages, though they are not reflected in the benchmark scores. Its TDP is 45 W versus 80 W for the D-2733NT, so it draws less power under load. It has a significantly higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz, which could matter in lightly threaded workloads that are not captured in the recorded Cinebench tests, though in the measured single-core tests it still trails. It includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics P630), which means a discrete GPU may not be required for basic display output. Its smaller 180 mm² die size and older 14 nm process are not advantages per se, but the lower TDP and integrated graphics make it a candidate for compact or power-constrained server and workstation designs. It also has a recorded launch MSRP of $623, while no launch MSRP is available for the D-2733NT.

In terms of cache, the E-2286M has 16 MB of shared L3 versus 15 MB for the D-2733NT, a marginal edge in last-level cache capacity. But the D-2733NT counters with larger L1 and L2 caches per core. The E-2286M also has a higher base clock (2.40 GHz versus 2.10 GHz), yet this does not translate into a benchmark win.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear winner for performance: the Intel Xeon D-2733NT. It wins all six head-to-head benchmarks, holds a higher average benchmark score (3984 versus 3822), and sits at a higher percentile ranking (57th versus 56th). Its 7.2% lead in every Cinebench test is consistent and not workload-specific. The quad-channel memory bus and PCIe Gen 4 support give it a substantial platform-level advantage for server and workstation deployments. For anyone building a new system and prioritizing compute performance, memory bandwidth, and modern connectivity, the D-2733NT is the better choice.

The Intel Xeon E-2286M is not without a case, but that case rests on factors outside the benchmark results. Its 45 W TDP is nearly half the D-2733NT's 80 W, which could be decisive in power-constrained environments. Its integrated graphics remove the need for a separate GPU for basic display. Its 5.00 GHz boost clock is the highest clock speed of the two, even if it does not win any recorded test. Its End-of-life production status, however, makes it a less attractive option for new deployments, and its dual-channel memory bus and PCIe Gen 3 connectivity put it a generation behind.

For users who need maximum compute performance per the recorded benchmarks, the D-2733NT is the answer. For users who need lower power draw, integrated graphics, and are working within a platform that suits the older Coffee Lake design, the E-2286M remains viable, but the benchmark data does not favor it. The verdict from the measurements is straightforward: the Intel Xeon D-2733NT is the faster processor in every test the database records.