Intel Xeon E-2136 vs Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4 Comparison

The Verdict

The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4 and the Intel Xeon E-2136 occupy the same performance tier in the database, with both landing at the 53rd percentile among all CPUs. The E5-1660 v4 wins all six recorded head-to-head benchmark comparisons, but the margins are remarkably narrow. The largest advantage is 2.6% in Cinebench R15 single-core, while the multicore deltas sit at 2.2% across R15, R20, and R23. The average benchmark score tells a similar story: the E5-1660 v4 records 3264, while the E-2136 records 3193, a gap of roughly 2.2%.

For workloads that scale with core count, the E5-1660 v4 is the stronger pick. Its eight cores and sixteen threads outnumber the E-2136's six cores and twelve threads, and the data confirms that advantage in every multicore test. The E5-1660 v4 also leads in single-core performance, though by a smaller margin. Anyone building around Cinebench-style rendering or heavily threaded productivity tasks should favor the E5-1660 v4.

The E-2136 is the more practical choice for compact or power-conscious systems. Its 80-watt TDP is far below the E5-1660 v4's 140-watt TDP, and it fits the mainstream Intel Socket 1151 platform rather than the server-oriented Intel Socket 2011-3. It also includes integrated graphics, specifically the UHD Graphics P630, which the E5-1660 v4 lacks entirely. For a workstation that needs a display output without a discrete GPU, the E-2136 is the only viable option between the two.

The E-2136's launch MSRP is $289. The E5-1660 v4 carries a much higher launch MSRP of $1113, but the database shows both parts are end-of-life, so market pricing is not captured here. The recorded data indicates that the E5-1660 v4 is marginally faster in every measured test, while the E-2136 offers lower power draw, a more accessible socket, and integrated graphics. The verdict depends on whether the small performance edge or the platform advantages matter more for the intended build.

FAQ

Q: Which processor delivers higher multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4 wins every multicore benchmark in the database. It scores 1137 in Cinebench R15 multicore versus 1112 for the E-2136, 4739 versus 4636 in R20 multicore, and 11285 versus 11040 in R23 multicore. Each advantage is 2.2%.

Q: Is the single-core performance meaningfully different?

A: The E5-1660 v4 leads in all single-core tests, but the gap is small. It scores 160 versus 156 in R15 single-core (2.6% ahead), 669 versus 654 in R20 single-core (2.3% ahead), and 1593 versus 1558 in R23 single-core (2.2% ahead). The E-2136 has a higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz versus 3.80 GHz, yet the recorded scores still favor the E5-1660 v4.

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: Both processors support ECC memory. The E5-1660 v4 uses quad-channel DDR4 with a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, while the E-2136 uses dual-channel DDR4 with a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The E5-1660 v4 offers substantially higher memory bandwidth.

Q: Do these CPUs have integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Xeon E-2136 includes integrated graphics, specifically the UHD Graphics P630. The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4 has no integrated graphics, so a discrete GPU is required for display output.

Q: Which CPU is better suited for a small form factor workstation?

A: The E-2136 is the better fit for compact systems. Its TDP is 80 watts, compared to 140 watts for the E5-1660 v4, and it uses the mainstream Intel Socket 1151. The E5-1660 v4 requires the larger Intel Socket 2011-3 platform, which typically means bigger motherboards and more substantial cooling.

Q: How do these processors compare to their nearest rivals in the database?

A: The E5-1660 v4 sits within 0.4% of the Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3, AMD Ryzen Embedded V2516, Intel Core i3-12100T, and Intel Xeon E-2374G in average score. The E-2136 sits within 0.7% of the Intel Core i7-9700E, Intel Core i3-13100T, Intel Core i5-1240P, and Intel Atom P5342. Both are mid-pack performers.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages and different eras of Intel's Xeon roadmap. The E5-1660 v4 is built on the Broadwell architecture, specifically the Broadwell-EP codename, and belongs to the Xeon E5 generation. The E-2136 is built on the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake-S WS codename, and belongs to the Xeon E series. Both use a 14 nm process node from Intel's own foundry, so the manufacturing technology is identical, but the underlying designs differ significantly.

The E5-1660 v4 packs eight cores and sixteen threads, while the E-2136 offers six cores and twelve threads. That difference in core count is the primary architectural distinction. The E5-1660 v4 also has a much larger L3 cache: 20 MB shared, versus 12 MB shared for the E-2136. Per-core L1 and L2 cache sizes are identical, with 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core on both parts.

The transistor counts and die sizes reflect the different design targets. The E5-1660 v4 contains 3,400 million transistors on a 246 mm² die. The E-2136 has no transistor count recorded in the database, but its die size is 154 mm², considerably smaller than the E5-1660 v4. That smaller die aligns with the E-2136's lower core count and reduced cache.

Platform connectivity differs sharply. The E5-1660 v4 uses Intel Socket 2011-3, a high-end server/workstation socket that provides PCIe Gen 3 with 40 lanes from the CPU. The E-2136 uses Intel Socket 1151, a mainstream socket with PCIe Gen 3 and only 16 lanes from the CPU. For systems with multiple GPUs or many NVMe drives, the E5-1660 v4 offers substantially more PCIe bandwidth.

The E-2136 includes integrated graphics in the form of UHD Graphics P630, a feature completely absent from the E5-1660 v4. This makes the E-2136 a self-contained workstation processor, while the E5-1660 v4 requires a separate graphics card. The E5-1660 v4 also has a locked multiplier, as does the E-2136, so neither processor supports overclocking through multiplier adjustment.

Memory architecture is another major divergence. The E5-1660 v4 supports quad-channel DDR4 with a theoretical memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. The E-2136 supports dual-channel DDR4 with a theoretical bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The E5-1660 v4's memory subsystem offers nearly double the bandwidth, which matters for memory-intensive server and workstation loads.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification field. Core count: the E5-1660 v4 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the E-2136 has 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clock: the E5-1660 v4 runs at 3.20 GHz, while the E-2136 runs at 3.30 GHz. Boost clock: the E5-1660 v4 reaches 3.80 GHz, while the E-2136 boosts to 4.50 GHz. The E-2136 has a higher clock speed on paper, but the benchmark data shows the E5-1660 v4 still comes out ahead in recorded tests.

TDP is a significant differentiator. The E5-1660 v4 draws 140 watts, while the E-2136 draws only 80 watts. That 60-watt gap affects cooling requirements, power supply sizing, and system density. Socket compatibility follows the platform divide: the E5-1660 v4 uses Intel Socket 2011-3, and the E-2136 uses Intel Socket 1151. These sockets are not interchangeable.

Cache allocation differs as noted: 20 MB shared L3 on the E5-1660 v4, 12 MB shared L3 on the E-2136. Memory support is DDR4 for both, but the E5-1660 v4 uses quad-channel memory with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth, while the E-2136 uses dual-channel memory with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth. Both support ECC memory, so that is not a differentiating factor.

PCIe connectivity: the E5-1660 v4 offers 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the E-2136 offers 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. Integrated graphics: the E-2136 has UHD Graphics P630, the E5-1660 v4 has none. Market segment: the E5-1660 v4 is classified as Desktop, while the E-2136 is classified as Server/Workstation.

Release timing also differs. The E5-1660 v4 launched on 2016-06-19, and the E-2136 launched on 2018-07-11. Both are marked end-of-life in the database. Part numbers are SR2PK for the E5-1660 v4 and SR3WW for the E-2136.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records six Cinebench comparisons between these two processors, and the E5-1660 v4 wins all six. The margins are consistent and narrow, ranging from 2.2% to 2.6%. This pattern suggests a small but real performance advantage for the E5-1660 v4 across both single-core and multi-core workloads.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the E5-1660 v4 scores 1137 against the E-2136's 1112, a 2.2% lead. The R15 single-core test shows the E5-1660 v4 at 160 versus 156, a 2.6% advantage. That single-core result is the largest delta in the entire comparison, which is notable given that the E-2136 has a higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz versus 3.80 GHz. The recorded data suggests that the E5-1660 v4's architecture extracts more performance per clock, or that the boost behavior under test conditions favors the older part.

Cinebench R20 multicore follows the same pattern: the E5-1660 v4 scores 4739, and the E-2136 scores 4636, a 2.2% difference. R20 single-core sees the E5-1660 v4 at 669 versus 654, a 2.3% edge. The R23 multicore test shows 11285 for the E5-1660 v4 and 11040 for the E-2136, again 2.2% apart. R23 single-core rounds out the set with 1593 versus 1558, a 2.2% difference.

The average benchmark score reinforces these head-to-head results. The E5-1660 v4 averages 3264, while the E-2136 averages 3193. That 71-point gap is consistent with the 2.2% deltas seen in the individual Cinebench runs. The nearest rivals for the E5-1660 v4 include the Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 at 3265 (0% delta), the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2516 at 3277 (-0.4%), the Intel Core i3-12100T at 3277 (-0.4%), and the Intel Xeon E-2374G at 3278 (-0.4%). The E-2136's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-9700E at 3197 (-0.1%), the Intel Core i3-13100T at 3198 (-0.2%), the Intel Core i5-1240P at 3202 (-0.3%), and the Intel Atom P5342 at 3217 (-0.7%).

The wins tally is decisive: 6 wins for the E5-1660 v4, 0 wins for the E-2136. However, the practical significance of a 2.2% to 2.6% margin in synthetic rendering tests is modest. In real-world workloads, other factors such as memory bandwidth, platform I/O, and cooling headroom may matter more than the small Cinebench delta. The E5-1660 v4's quad-channel memory and 40 PCIe lanes give it a structural advantage for heavy workstation tasks, while the E-2136's lower TDP and integrated graphics make it a more flexible and efficient option for mainstream builds. The benchmark data shows a clear winner on raw performance, but the platform tradeoffs are substantial enough that neither processor is a universal recommendation.