Intel Xeon E-2134 vs Intel Xeon E-2226GE Comparison

The Intel Xeon E-2226GE and Intel Xeon E-2134 are both end-of-life server/workstation processors built on the same Coffee Lake-S WS architecture and 14 nm process, yet they target different workloads through contrasting core and thread configurations. The E-2226GE offers six physical cores without hyper-threading, while the E-2134 offers four cores with eight threads, making the comparison a study in whether raw core count or simultaneous multithreading yields better results. Across every benchmark in the data set, the E-2226GE comes out ahead, though the margins are consistently narrow, ranging from 1.8% to 2%. This close competition suggests that the choice between these two hinges on specific workload characteristics rather than a dominant overall winner.

Where Each One Wins

The E-2226GE wins every single benchmark recorded in the head-to-head comparison, taking all six tests. Its victories are uniform in scale: 2% in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 1.8% in R15 single-core, 2% in R20 multi-core, 1.9% in R20 single-core, 2% in R23 multi-core, and 1.9% in R23 single-core. This consistency indicates that the six-core design provides a small but measurable advantage across both multi-threaded rendering and single-threaded tasks, likely due to the higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz compared to 4.50 GHz on the E-2134.

The E-2134, despite having no benchmark wins, still demonstrates competitive performance through its hyper-threading capability. With eight threads against the E-2226GE's six threads, the E-2134 narrows the multi-core gap to just 2% in R15, R20, and R23, which is surprising given that it has two fewer physical cores. In single-core tests, the E-2134 trails by only 1.8% to 1.9%, reflecting its slightly lower boost clock and lower base clock of 3.50 GHz versus 3.40 GHz on the E-2226GE. The E-2134's strength lies in efficiency: it achieves near-parity with a lower TDP of 71 watts compared to 80 watts, making it a candidate for power-constrained environments.

Workloads that favor the E-2226GE include those that scale with physical core count and benefit from higher single-thread clocks, such as lightly threaded database queries or virtualization hosts with multiple VMs. The E-2134, conversely, may appeal to scenarios where hyper-threading helps with concurrent task switching, though the data does not show any test where it wins. The E-2226GE's 12 MB of shared L3 cache, 50% more than the E-2134's 8 MB, could also improve performance in cache-sensitive applications, though this is not directly measured in the provided benchmarks.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the Coffee Lake-S WS codename, the 14 nm process node, and the Intel Socket 1151 platform, but their internal configurations diverge significantly. The E-2226GE is a six-core, six-thread part with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz, while the E-2134 is a four-core, eight-thread part with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. The E-2226GE features a larger die size of 154 mm² versus 126 mm² on the E-2134, reflecting the additional two physical cores.

Cache hierarchies differ beyond the core count. The E-2226GE has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the E-2134 has 8 MB, a 4 MB difference that could affect workloads with large working sets. Both share identical per-core L1 cache of 64 KB and L2 cache of 256 KB, so the L3 difference is the primary cache distinction. Memory support is identical: both support DDR4 in dual-channel configuration with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth and ECC memory, and both have the same PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

Integrated graphics are the same UHD Graphics P630 on both parts, and both are unlocked? No, neither has an unlocked multiplier. The E-2226GE was released on 2019-06-10 with a launch MSRP of $286, while the E-2134 was released on 2018-07-11 with a launch MSRP of $256. Both are marked as end-of-life and target the server/workstation market segment. The generation field lists both as "Xeon E (Coffee Lake)," confirming they belong to the same architectural family despite being in different series (E-2200 versus E-2100).

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2226GE has six physical cores, while the Intel Xeon E-2134 has four physical cores. The E-2134 compensates with hyper-threading, providing eight threads versus six threads on the E-2226GE.

Q: How do their clock speeds compare?

A: The E-2226GE has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The E-2134 has a higher base clock of 3.50 GHz but a lower boost clock of 4.50 GHz. This means the E-2226GE boosts higher, while the E-2134 idles at a faster base rate.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the E-2226GE and the E-2134 support ECC memory. They also share identical memory support for DDR4 in dual-channel mode with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s.

Q: What is the difference in L3 cache size?

A: The E-2226GE has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the E-2134 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache. This is a 4 MB difference in favor of the E-2226GE, which could impact cache-sensitive workloads.

Q: Which processor has a lower TDP?

A: The E-2134 has a lower TDP of 71 watts, compared to 80 watts on the E-2226GE. This makes the E-2134 a more power-efficient option, despite having fewer physical cores.

Q: Are these processors still in production?

A: No, both are end-of-life products. The E-2226GE was released on 2019-06-10, and the E-2134 was released on 2018-07-11, with production status marked as end-of-life for both.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields, starting with core count: the E-2226GE has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the E-2134 has 4 cores and 8 threads. Clock speeds differ as well: base clock is 3.40 GHz on the E-2226GE versus 3.50 GHz on the E-2134, and boost clock is 4.60 GHz versus 4.50 GHz. TDP is another distinction, with the E-2226GE rated at 80 watts and the E-2134 at 71 watts.

Die size varies significantly: the E-2226GE measures 154 mm², while the E-2134 measures 126 mm², reflecting the additional cores. L3 cache differs, with 12 MB shared on the E-2226GE and 8 MB shared on the E-2134. Release dates differ, with the E-2226GE launching on 2019-06-10 and the E-2134 on 2018-07-11. Launch MSRP also differs, with the E-2226GE at $286 and the E-2134 at $256. Part numbers are SRGQW for the E-2226GE and SR3WP for the E-2134.

Fields that are identical include socket (Intel Socket 1151), architecture (Coffee Lake), codename (Coffee Lake-S WS), process node (14 nm), foundry (Intel), L1 cache (64 KB per core), L2 cache (256 KB per core), memory support (DDR4), memory bus (Dual-channel), memory bandwidth (42.7 GB/s), ECC memory support (true), PCIe (Gen 3, 16 Lanes CPU only), integrated graphics (UHD Graphics P630), market segment (Server/Workstation), production status (End-of-life), and multiplier unlocked (false).

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data shows a clean sweep for the E-2226GE, but the margins tell an interesting story. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the E-2226GE scores 824 against 808 for the E-2134, a 2% advantage. This is the smallest multi-core gap, suggesting that hyper-threading on the E-2134 nearly compensates for the two fewer physical cores. Single-core R15 shows a similar pattern: 116 versus 114, a 1.8% edge for the E-2226GE, which aligns with its higher boost clock.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core scores are 3434 for the E-2226GE and 3367 for the E-2134, again a 2% delta. Single-core R20 yields 484 versus 475, a 1.9% difference. The R23 results continue the trend: multi-core 8177 against 8018 (2% delta) and single-core 1154 against 1132 (1.9% delta). Every test shows the E-2226GE ahead by approximately 2%, which is a consistent but slim margin.

The implications are clear: the E-2226GE's six physical cores provide a real but modest performance advantage over the E-2134's four cores with hyper-threading. The 4.60 GHz boost clock on the E-2226GE likely drives the single-core wins, while the extra two cores and larger L3 cache contribute to multi-core gains. The E-2134, with its lower TDP and higher base clock, manages to stay within striking distance, but it never overtakes its rival in any measured test. The average benchmark scores reflect this: the E-2226GE averages 2365 against 2319 for the E-2134, a difference of about 2%.

The Verdict

Based strictly on benchmark data, the Intel Xeon E-2226GE is the superior performer, winning all six head-to-head tests with margins of 1.8% to 2%. It offers six cores, a higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz, and 12 MB of L3 cache, which together deliver consistent wins across single-threaded and multi-threaded Cinebench workloads. Users seeking maximum performance in rendering or multi-threaded applications should choose the E-2226GE, as it holds a measurable advantage in every recorded test.

The Intel Xeon E-2134, however, is not without merit. Its hyper-threading allows it to compete closely in multi-core tests, trailing by only 2% despite having two fewer physical cores. Its lower TDP of 71 watts makes it a more power-efficient choice, and its higher base clock of 3.50 GHz could benefit lightly threaded tasks that do not boost to maximum frequencies. The E-2134 also carries a lower launch MSRP of $256 compared to $286 for the E-2226GE, though pricing should not be a primary factor in this analysis.

For workloads that are sensitive to physical core count and maximum boost clocks, the E-2226GE is the clear pick. For environments where power efficiency and hyper-threading are prioritized, and where a 2% performance deficit is acceptable, the E-2134 remains a viable option. The data does not show any scenario where the E-2134 wins, but its narrow losses suggest that real-world differences may be minor for many applications. Ultimately, the E-2226GE wins on performance, while the E-2134 wins on efficiency and cost, leaving the decision to workload priorities.