CPU Comparison

The Verdict

The data presents an unusually tight contest between two quad-core server processors. The Intel Xeon E-2104G and Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 are separated by a single point in average benchmark score, 1402 versus 1401, a delta of 0.1%. Across every Cinebench test in the head-to-head set, the E-2104G either matches or edges ahead by an imperceptible margin. The largest recorded difference is one point in Cinebench R20 multicore (2035 versus 2034) and two points in R23 multicore (4847 versus 4845). Both processors sit at the 37th percentile among all CPUs, indicating they are firmly mid-pack performers.

The practical verdict is that neither chip offers a meaningful performance advantage over the other. The E-2104G claims all six benchmark wins, but every delta is zero percent, the results are effectively identical. The E3-1220 v5, despite being released earlier, holds its ground with near-identical scores. Buyers should decide based on platform-level features rather than raw compute, since benchmark results indicate no decisive winner. The E-2104G brings integrated UHD Graphics P630 and DDR4-only support, while the E3-1220 v5 lacks integrated graphics but accepts both DDR3 and DDR4. The E-2104G carries a launch MSRP of $193, while the E3-1220 v5 launched at $203. For systems requiring a display output without a discrete GPU, the E-2104G is the clear choice. For existing DDR3 infrastructure, the E3-1220 v5 offers memory flexibility that the newer chip cannot match.

Where Each One Wins

The E-2104G wins every head-to-head benchmark, but the margins are negligible. In Cinebench R15 multicore, both score 488, a tie. In R15 singlecore, both score 68, another tie. The R20 multicore test shows the largest separation: 2035 versus 2034, a one-point edge for the E-2104G. R20 singlecore is identical at 287. R23 multicore gives the E-2104G a two-point advantage (4847 versus 4845), while R23 singlecore is tied at 684.

The E3-1220 v5 has no benchmark wins in this comparison. However, its platform advantages are significant. It supports DDR3 memory in addition to DDR4, which the E-2104G does not. Its memory bandwidth is rated lower at 34.1 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s, but the older chip's compatibility with legacy DDR3 modules could be decisive for upgrades of existing systems. The E3-1220 v5 also has a boost clock of 3.50 GHz, while the E-2104G has no boost capability at all, its base clock of 3.20 GHz is the maximum. This means the E3-1220 v5 can reach higher instantaneous clock speeds when thermal headroom allows, even though benchmark results show no net benefit.

The integrated graphics situation is a clean split. The E-2104G includes UHD Graphics P630; the E3-1220 v5 has no integrated graphics whatsoever. For headless servers, this difference is irrelevant. For workstations that occasionally need display output, the E-2104G eliminates the need for a separate GPU. The E3-1220 v5 requires a discrete graphics card for any display output, adding cost and power consumption to the overall system.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 14 nm process node and use the Intel Socket 1151 interface. The E-2104G comes from the Coffee Lake generation, specifically the Coffee Lake-S WS codename, while the E3-1220 v5 is a Skylake part with the Skylake-DT codename. Both have four cores and four threads, no hyper-threading on either chip. The cache hierarchy is identical: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3.

The die sizes are close but not equal. The E-2104G measures 126 mm², while the E3-1220 v5 is slightly smaller at 122 mm². The E3-1220 v5 packs 1,750 million transistors into that area; the E-2104G's transistor count is not listed in the data. The E-2104G has a higher base clock at 3.20 GHz versus 3.00 GHz, but the E3-1220 v5 compensates with a 3.50 GHz boost clock that the E-2104G entirely lacks. Thermal design power differs notably: the E-2104G is rated at 65 W, while the E3-1220 v5 draws 80 W. This 15 W gap could matter in densely packed server chassis or low-power workstation builds.

Memory support is a major differentiator. The E-2104G supports only DDR4, configured as dual-channel with a theoretical bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The E3-1220 v5 supports both DDR3 and DDR4, also dual-channel, but its memory bandwidth is rated lower at 34.1 GB/s. Both processors support ECC memory, which is critical for server reliability. PCI Express connectivity is identical: Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The E-2104G includes integrated Intel UHD Graphics P630, a feature absent from the E3-1220 v5. The E-2104G was released on July 11, 2018, while the E3-1220 v5 came earlier on October 18, 2015. Both are now end-of-life products. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not a consideration.

FAQ

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

A: The E-2104G edges ahead in every multi-core test, but by negligible margins. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 4847 versus 4845 for the E3-1220 v5. In R20 multicore, the margin is 2035 versus 2034. These differences are within run-to-run variance and do not represent a measurable performance advantage.

Q: Does the E3-1220 v5 support DDR3 memory?

A: Yes. The E3-1220 v5 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration. This is a significant advantage for users upgrading older systems with existing DDR3 modules. The E-2104G supports only DDR4, with a higher theoretical bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s versus 34.1 GB/s for the E3-1220 v5.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the E-2104G has integrated graphics, featuring Intel UHD Graphics P630. The E3-1220 v5 has no integrated graphics at all, requiring a discrete GPU for any display output. This makes the E-2104G more suitable for workstations that need occasional display functionality without a dedicated graphics card.

Q: How do their clock speeds compare?

A: The E-2104G has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and no boost clock. The E3-1220 v5 has a lower base clock of 3.00 GHz but a boost clock of 3.50 GHz. Despite the E3-1220 v5's ability to reach higher frequencies, benchmark results show no performance benefit from that boost capability.

Q: Are these processors compatible with the same motherboards?

A: Both use Intel Socket 1151, so they physically fit the same socket. However, they belong to different generations, the E-2104G is Coffee Lake, while the E3-1220 v5 is Skylake. Motherboard compatibility depends on chipset support, which the data does not specify. Both support PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes.

Q: What is the thermal design power of each chip?

A: The E-2104G is rated at 65 W TDP, while the E3-1220 v5 is rated at 80 W. The E-2104G's lower TDP means less heat generation and potentially lower cooling requirements, though both would be well-served by a capable air cooler.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results tell a story of near-perfect parity. Across six Cinebench tests, the E-2104G records six wins, but every single delta percentage is zero. This is not a case of one chip dominating another; it is a statistical tie masquerading as a sweep.

Starting with Cinebench R15, both processors score 488 in multi-core and 68 in single-core. These identical scores suggest that the architectural differences between Coffee Lake and Skylake have no measurable impact on this workload. The R15 test, which is older and less demanding than newer versions, does not differentiate between these two chips.

Cinebench R20 shows the first, and only, point of separation. In multi-core, the E-2104G scores 2035 against 2034 for the E3-1220 v5. This one-point margin represents a 0% delta in the data, which rounds to zero. Single-core R20 scores are identical at 287. The pattern holds: the newer architecture provides no meaningful advantage.

Cinebench R23, the most demanding test in the set, reveals the largest absolute gap. The E-2104G scores 4847 in multi-core, while the E3-1220 v5 scores 4845, a two-point difference. Single-core R23 scores are tied at 684. Even in the most stressful workload tested, the E-2104G cannot pull ahead by more than 0.04%.

The average benchmark scores across all tests reinforce this picture. The E-2104G averages 1402 points, while the E3-1220 v5 averages 1401. The delta between them is 0.1%, and each appears in the other's nearest rival list with essentially identical scores. The E-2104G's other rivals include the Pentium Gold G7400TE at 1404 (0.2% higher) and the Core i5-6500TE at 1399 (0.2% lower), placing both Xeons in a tight performance cluster.

What explains this parity? The E-2104G has a higher base clock (3.20 GHz versus 3.00 GHz), but the E3-1220 v5 has a boost clock (3.50 GHz) that the E-2104G lacks entirely. These clock differences likely cancel out in sustained workloads, the E-2104G runs at a consistent 3.20 GHz, while the E3-1220 v5 can burst higher but may not sustain that frequency. Both have identical core counts, thread counts, and cache hierarchies. The 14 nm process node is shared. The only architectural differences are the memory controllers, the presence of integrated graphics, and minor die size variations.

For practical purposes, these two processors are interchangeable in compute performance. The choice between them hinges entirely on platform features: the E-2104G offers integrated graphics and lower TDP (65 W versus 80 W), while the E3-1220 v5 offers DDR3 compatibility and a boost clock. Neither offers a benchmark-verified performance advantage. Systems built around either chip will deliver essentially identical Cinebench results, making the decision one of motherboard compatibility, memory requirements, and graphics needs rather than raw speed.