Intel Xeon E-2124 vs Intel Xeon E5-2623 v3 Comparison

Intel Xeon E-2124 and Intel Xeon E5-2623 v3 are both end-of-life server and workstation processors from Intel, but they belong to very different eras and platforms. The E-2124 is a Coffee Lake part from the Xeon E-2100 series, while the E5-2623 v3 is a Haswell-EP part. The recorded benchmark data shows that the E-2124 wins every single head-to-head comparison, but the margins are consistently slim, ranging from 1.6% to 2.5%. The E5-2623 v3 counters with a significantly larger platform footprint: quad-channel memory, double the PCIe lanes, and more L3 cache. The decision between them depends entirely on whether the user prioritizes raw per-core speed and modern architecture or platform expansion capabilities and memory bandwidth.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: in every benchmark recorded, the Intel Xeon E-2124 outperforms the Intel Xeon E5-2623 v3. Across six Cinebench tests, the E-2124 wins all six, with victory margins between 1.6% and 2.5%. The largest gap appears in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the E-2124 leads by 2.5% (81 vs 79). The smallest margin is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, at 1.6% (577 vs 568). For users who run single-threaded or lightly threaded workloads, the E-2124 is the clear choice. Its boost clock of 4.30 GHz, compared to 3.50 GHz on the E5-2623 v3, directly explains this consistent single-core advantage.

However, the E5-2623 v3 is not without merit. It offers 8 threads via Hyper-Threading, double the 4 threads of the E-2124. It also provides 10 MB of shared L3 cache versus 8 MB, a quad-channel memory bus versus dual-channel, and 40 PCIe lanes versus 16. The E5-2623 v3 also has a higher memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s compared to 42.7 GB/s. For workloads that are memory-bandwidth sensitive or require many expansion cards (GPUs, NVMe controllers, network adapters), the E5-2623 v3’s platform advantages could outweigh its modest benchmark deficit.

The average benchmark scores place them nearly identically in the global database. The E-2124 has an average score of 1658 and sits in the 40th percentile of all CPUs. The E5-2623 v3 has an average score of 1630 and sits in the 39th percentile. Their nearest rivals are also comparable: the E-2124 trades blows with the Intel Core i7-4770HQ (1660, delta 0.1%), Core i5-4670K (1656, delta 0.2%), AMD Ryzen 5 3550H (1653, delta 0.3%), and Core i5-7600T (1664, delta 0.4%). The E5-2623 v3 sits near the Intel Core i7-8560U (1631, delta 0.1%), Pentium Gold G7400T (1628, delta 0.2%), Core i3-9100T (1620, delta 0.6%), and AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G (1640, delta 0.6%). Both processors are effectively mid-pack performers.

The verdict: choose the E-2124 for maximum single-thread performance, lower power consumption (71 W TDP vs 105 W), and a more modern 14 nm process. Choose the E5-2623 v3 for its quad-channel memory, 40 PCIe lanes, higher memory bandwidth, and larger L3 cache, especially if the workload scales with memory throughput or requires many PCIe peripherals.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and manufacturing nodes. The Intel Xeon E-2124 uses the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake-S WS codename, built on Intel’s 14 nm process. It has a die size of 126 mm². The Intel Xeon E5-2623 v3 uses the Haswell architecture, specifically Haswell-EP, built on Intel’s 22 nm process. Its die size is 356 mm², and it contains 2,600 million transistors. The E-2124 has no transistor count listed in the database.

Both processors have 4 physical cores, but the thread counts differ. The E-2124 has 4 threads (no Hyper-Threading), while the E5-2623 v3 has 8 threads (Hyper-Threading enabled). The E-2124 operates with a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The E5-2623 v3 has a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 3.50 GHz. The E-2124’s higher clocks are partially offset by the E5-2623 v3’s extra threads in multi-threaded workloads, but the benchmark results still favor the E-2124.

Cache hierarchies differ as well. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache is 8 MB shared on the E-2124, while the E5-2623 v3 has 10 MB shared. The larger L3 cache on the E5-2623 v3 may help with certain data-heavy workloads, though the benchmark results do not show a decisive advantage.

Memory support is a major differentiator. The E-2124 supports DDR4 memory over a dual-channel bus, delivering 42.7 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The E5-2623 v3 also supports DDR4, but over a quad-channel bus, delivering 59.7 GB/s. That is a 40% higher theoretical memory bandwidth for the E5-2623 v3. Both processors support ECC memory, which is typical for server and workstation parts.

PCIe connectivity also diverges. The E-2124 provides Gen 3, 16 lanes (CPU only). The E5-2623 v3 provides Gen 3, 40 lanes (CPU only). The extra 24 lanes on the E5-2623 v3 allow for more expansion cards without a PLX switch or chipset bottleneck. The E-2124 uses Intel Socket 1151, while the E5-2623 v3 uses Intel Socket 2011-3. These sockets are not cross-compatible, so the motherboard choice is a fundamental decision.

The E-2124 includes integrated graphics, specifically UHD Graphics P630. The E5-2623 v3 has no integrated graphics. This means the E-2124 can output video without a discrete GPU, while the E5-2623 v3 requires a dedicated graphics card. The E-2124 also has a lower TDP of 71 W, compared to 105 W for the E5-2623 v3. The E-2124 was released in July 2018, while the E5-2623 v3 was released in September 2014. The launch MSRP for the E-2124 is $198, and for the E5-2623 v3 it is $444.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark results are consistent across all six Cinebench tests. The Intel Xeon E-2124 wins every test, but the margins are narrow. Starting with Cinebench R15 multi-core, the E-2124 scores 577 against the E5-2623 v3’s 568, a delta of 1.6%. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the E-2124 scores 81 versus 79, a delta of 2.5%. This is the largest single-core margin in the dataset.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the E-2124 scores 2408 in multi-core, while the E5-2623 v3 scores 2367, a delta of 1.7%. In single-core, the E-2124 scores 339 versus 333, a delta of 1.8%. Cinebench R23 shows the same pattern: multi-core scores are 5734 for the E-2124 and 5637 for the E5-2623 v3, a delta of 1.7%. Single-core scores are 809 and 795, respectively, a delta of 1.8%.

The consistent 1.6% to 2.5% lead across all tests suggests that the E-2124’s higher clock speeds and newer architecture provide a small but reliable performance edge. The E5-2623 v3’s extra threads do not help it win any test, likely because Cinebench’s multi-core tests scale with both core count and clock speed, and the E-2124’s 4.30 GHz boost clock compensates for its lack of Hyper-Threading. In single-core tests, the E-2124’s advantage is expected due to the 0.80 GHz boost clock difference.

The average benchmark scores reflect this near-parity in overall performance: the E-2124 averages 1658, while the E5-2623 v3 averages 1630. This puts the E-2124 slightly ahead, but both sit in the 39th to 40th percentile of all CPUs. The E-2124’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-4770HQ (1660, delta 0.1%) and Core i5-7600T (1664, delta 0.4%), which are essentially identical in performance. The E5-2623 v3’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-8560U (1631, delta 0.1%) and AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G (1640, delta 0.6%), again showing a tight cluster.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better single-core performance?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2124 wins all three single-core Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15, it scores 81 versus 79 for the E5-2623 v3, a 2.5% lead. In R20, it scores 339 versus 333 (1.8% lead), and in R23, it scores 809 versus 795 (1.8% lead).

Q: Does the E5-2623 v3’s extra threads help in multi-core workloads?

A: No. Despite having 8 threads versus 4, the E5-2623 v3 loses all three multi-core tests. The E-2124 leads by 1.6% in R15 (577 vs 568), 1.7% in R20 (2408 vs 2367), and 1.7% in R23 (5734 vs 5637).

Q: Which processor supports more memory bandwidth?

A: The E5-2623 v3 supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. The E-2124 supports dual-channel DDR4 with 42.7 GB/s. The E5-2623 v3 offers roughly 40% more theoretical bandwidth.

Q: Can either processor be used without a discrete GPU?

A: The E-2124 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics P630), so it can output video on its own. The E5-2623 v3 has no integrated graphics and requires a separate graphics card.

Q: What are the PCIe lane counts?

A: The E-2124 provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only). The E5-2623 v3 provides 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only). The E5-2623 v3 allows for more expansion devices.

Q: Which processor is more power-efficient?

A: The E-2124 has a TDP of 71 W, while the E5-2623 v3 has a TDP of 105 W. The E-2124 draws less power under load, though both are end-of-life products.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E-2124 wins in all benchmark comparisons, so it is the clear choice for raw compute performance. Its higher boost clock of 4.30 GHz and modern 14 nm Coffee Lake architecture give it a consistent edge in both single-core and multi-core Cinebench tests. It also has a lower TDP of 71 W, which makes it easier to cool and more energy-efficient. The integrated UHD Graphics P630 is a practical advantage for systems that do not require a discrete GPU. The E-2124 also has a lower launch MSRP of $198, though pricing is not a factor in performance analysis. For typical server or workstation tasks that are compute-bound, such as compiling code, running single-threaded applications, or light virtualization, the E-2124 delivers better measured performance.

The Intel Xeon E5-2623 v3 wins in platform expansion and memory throughput. Its quad-channel memory bus provides 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth, which is 40% higher than the E-2124’s 42.7 GB/s. This is critical for workloads that stream large amounts of data, such as in-memory databases, scientific computing, or high-performance network packet processing. The E5-2623 v3 also offers 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, more than double the 16 lanes on the E-2124. This allows for multiple GPUs, NVMe storage adapters, or high-speed network cards without needing a PCIe switch. The larger 10 MB L3 cache, compared to 8 MB, may also benefit workloads with high cache reuse. The E5-2623 v3’s 8 threads (versus 4) could be an advantage in heavily threaded applications, though the benchmark data does not show it winning any Cinebench test. The quad-channel memory and 40-lane PCIe make the E5-2623 v3 a better fit for dense virtualization hosts, GPU compute nodes, or storage servers where memory bandwidth and I/O expandability are more important than peak CPU speed. The E5-2623 v3 also uses the larger Socket 2011-3 platform, which typically supports more memory capacity, though that is not explicitly listed in the database.

In summary, the E-2124 is the better CPU for raw processing power, as measured by six Cinebench tests. The E5-2623 v3 is the better platform for memory-intensive and I/O-intensive workloads, based on its superior memory bus, PCIe lane count, and cache size. The choice hinges on whether the workload is compute-bound or platform-bound.