CPU Comparison

The Intel Xeon E-2104G and the Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3 are both end-of-life server/workstation processors from Intel, yet they represent distinct generations and design philosophies. The data shows a remarkably tight contest, with the newer E-2104G edging out the older E3-1240L v3 across every single benchmark in the head-to-head comparison. However, the margins are so slim that the choice between them hinges less on raw performance and more on platform-level features like memory support and integrated graphics.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results paint a picture of near-parity, with the Intel Xeon E-2104G winning all six direct comparisons by a hair's breadth. In the Cinebench R15 multicore test, the E-2104G scores 488 against the E3-1240L v3's 486, a delta of 0.4%. The single-core result is an exact tie at 68 points, with a delta of 0%. This pattern continues in Cinebench R20, where the E-2104G leads 2035 to 2027 in multicore (0.4% delta) and 287 to 286 in single-core (0.3% delta). The latest Cinebench R23 results show the same story: the E-2104G posts 4847 versus 4827 in multicore and 684 versus 681 in single-core, both with a 0.4% delta.

These margins are statistically negligible. The average benchmark scores confirm this: the E-2104G has an average score of 1402, while the E3-1240L v3 sits at 1396, a difference of just 0.4%. Looking at the nearest rivals, the E-2104G is 0.1% ahead of the Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 (1401) and 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core i5-6500TE (1399), while the E3-1240L v3 is 0.2% behind the i5-6500TE and 0.4% behind the E3-1220 v5. Both processors occupy the 37th percentile among all CPUs, meaning they land in the same performance tier. In essence, the E-2104G is the winner by a technicality, not by a knockout.

Where Each One Wins

Given the minuscule performance deltas, the "wins" are more about feature sets than raw scores. The Intel Xeon E-2104G wins on memory bandwidth, supporting DDR4 with a theoretical 42.7 GB/s, which is substantially higher than the E3-1240L v3's DDR3 bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. This could translate to better performance in memory-sensitive workloads, even if the CPU core scores are nearly identical. The E-2104G also has integrated graphics (UHD Graphics P630), meaning it can drive a display without a discrete GPU, which is a clear advantage for compact or entry-level workstation builds.

The Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3, despite losing all benchmark comparisons, wins decisively on power efficiency. Its TDP is just 25 watts, compared to the E-2104G's 65 watts. For dense server environments or systems where thermal output and energy consumption are critical, the E3-1240L v3 is the clear choice. It also has more threads (8 versus 4), but the benchmark data shows this does not translate into a multicore advantage, likely due to the older Haswell architecture's lower clock speeds. The E3-1240L v3's boost clock is 3.00 GHz, while the E-2104G has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and no listed boost clock.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from different architectural eras. The Intel Xeon E-2104G is built on Coffee Lake (codename Coffee Lake-S WS) using a 14 nm process node. The Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3 uses the older Haswell architecture (codename Haswell-WS) on a 22 nm node. This generational gap explains several differences. The E-2104G has a smaller die size at 126 mm², while the E3-1240L v3 has a larger 160 mm² die and contains 1,400 million transistors, a figure not listed for the E-2104G.

Both CPUs share the same cache layout: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. They both use Socket 1151 and Socket 1150 respectively, meaning they are not interchangeable on the same motherboard. The E-2104G is part of the Xeon E-2100 series and its generation is listed as "Xeon E (Coffee Lake)", while the E3-1240L v3 belongs to the "Xeon E3 (Haswell-WS)" generation. The newer 14 nm process likely contributes to the E-2104G's slightly higher clock speeds and improved memory controller, but the benchmark results show that the architectural leap does not yield a significant performance advantage in Cinebench tests.

Specification Differences

The specification sheets highlight several key divergences between the two processors. The most obvious is the core/thread count: the E-2104G has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the E3-1240L v3 has 4 cores and 8 threads, thanks to Hyper-Threading. The base clock differs drastically: the E-2104G runs at 3.20 GHz, while the E3-1240L v3 has a base clock of 2000.00 MHz (2.00 GHz). The E3-1240L v3 does have a boost clock of 3.00 GHz, but the E-2104G has no boost clock listed.

The memory support is a major differentiator: the E-2104G uses DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and 42.7 GB/s bandwidth, while the E3-1240L v3 uses DDR3 with a dual-channel bus and 25.6 GB/s bandwidth. Both support ECC memory. The integrated graphics situation is also different: the E-2104G includes UHD Graphics P630, while the E3-1240L v3 has no integrated graphics at all. The TDP is a stark contrast: 65 watts for the E-2104G versus 25 watts for the E3-1240L v3. The launch MSRP for the E-2104G is $193, while the E3-1240L v3 launched at $278. Both are end-of-life products and have locked multipliers. The part numbers are SR3WV for the E-2104G and SR1T8 for the E3-1240L v3.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core performance?

A: The data shows they are virtually identical. In Cinebench R15 single-core, both score 68, and in R20 single-core, the E-2104G leads 287 to 286 (0.3% delta). The R23 single-core scores are 684 for the E-2104G and 681 for the E3-1240L v3.

Q: Does the E3-1240L v3's higher thread count help in multicore benchmarks?

A: No. Despite having 8 threads versus the E-2104G's 4, the E3-1240L v3 scores lower in all multicore tests. For example, in Cinebench R23 multicore, the E-2104G scores 4847 versus 4827 for the E3-1240L v3.

Q: Can either processor be used without a discrete graphics card?

A: Only the Intel Xeon E-2104G has integrated graphics (UHD Graphics P630). The Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3 has no integrated graphics, so a discrete GPU is required for display output.

Q: Which CPU supports faster memory?

A: The E-2104G supports DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The E3-1240L v3 supports DDR3 with a bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. Both use a dual-channel memory bus.

Q: How do these processors compare to their closest rivals?

A: The E-2104G has an average benchmark score of 1402, which is 0.1% ahead of the Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 (1401) and 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core i5-6500TE (1399). The E3-1240L v3 scores 1396, putting it 0.2% behind the i5-6500TE and 0.4% behind the E3-1220 v5.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The E3-1240L v3 has a TDP of 25 watts, which is significantly lower than the E-2104G's 65 watts. This makes the E3-1240L v3 a more power-efficient option for low-power server environments.

The Verdict

From the benchmark data alone, the Intel Xeon E-2104G is the better performer, winning all six head-to-head comparisons. The margins are small, but they are consistent across every test. If raw Cinebench scores are the sole criterion, the E-2104G is the pick. Its support for DDR4 memory also provides a modern platform advantage that could be relevant for memory-intensive tasks, and the integrated UHD Graphics P630 adds convenience for basic display output.

However, the Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3 presents a compelling counter-argument based on its 25-watt TDP. For systems where power draw and heat generation are primary constraints, such as always-on servers or compact builds, the E3-1240L v3 offers nearly identical performance at a fraction of the power envelope. The data shows the performance gap is only 0.4% in the E-2104G's favor, yet the power consumption is 160% higher. Users who prioritize energy efficiency over a negligible performance edge should choose the E3-1240L v3. Those who want the latest memory standard and integrated graphics, and can tolerate higher power draw, should opt for the E-2104G. Both processors sit at the 37th percentile, so neither offers a dramatic leap over the other.