Intel Xeon E-2136 vs Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded Cinebench results show a remarkably consistent pattern across every test iteration: the Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 wins all six head-to-head matchups, but by margins that are surprisingly narrow given the architectural generation gap. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the E5-1680 v3 scores 1137 against 1112 for the Xeon E-2136, a 2.2% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows a similar story, with 160 versus 156, a 2.6% edge for the older Haswell part.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the E5-1680 v3 posts 4741 in multi-core versus 4636 for the E-2136, a 2.3% gap. The single-core R20 result repeats the pattern: 669 versus 654, again a 2.3% difference. Cinebench R23 continues the trend, with the E5-1680 v3 scoring 11289 in multi-core against 11040, and 1593 in single-core against 1558. Both R23 deltas sit at 2.2% and 2.3%, respectively.

The consistency of these deltas, all falling between 2.2% and 2.6%, indicates that the E5-1680 v3's advantage is systematic rather than workload-specific. It is not that the older chip wins because of a particular benchmark quirk; it simply edges ahead across the board. However, the narrowness of the margins, roughly 2% in every case, is the more striking observation. A processor from 2014 with eight cores and a 140-watt TDP beats a 2018 six-core part with a much higher boost clock by only a small margin. The data does not support any claim of dominance; this is a close contest decided by incremental differences.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark record gives the Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 a clean sweep of six wins out of six possible tests. There is no single test where the Intel Xeon E-2136 comes out ahead. That said, the use-case split is more nuanced than the raw win count suggests.

For heavily multi-threaded workloads, such as rendering, scientific simulation, or batch processing, the E5-1680 v3's two extra cores and four extra threads provide the foundation for its consistent multi-core lead. The 2.2% to 2.3% multi-core deltas across R15, R20, and R23 are real, but they are modest. A workstation running long render jobs will finish marginally sooner on the E5-1680 v3, but the time savings per job will be small, not transformative.

For single-threaded tasks, such as interactive CAD work, light compilation, or general desktop responsiveness, the E5-1680 v3 again holds the edge, with deltas between 2.2% and 2.6%. This is somewhat counterintuitive given the E-2136's much higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz versus 3.80 GHz on the E5-1680 v3. The older Haswell architecture apparently extracts more instructions per cycle in these tests, or the boost behavior under the Cinebench load is not as favorable to the E-2136 as its rated maximum might suggest. Either way, the recorded data shows the E5-1680 v3 winning single-core tests too.

The E-2136 does not win any benchmark category in this comparison. Its advantages lie elsewhere, in platform attributes rather than raw compute scores. The data indicates a clear, if narrow, preference for the E5-1680 v3 whenever Cinebench performance is the only criterion.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras of Intel's design roadmap, and the specification sheet reflects that. The Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 uses the Haswell architecture, specifically the Haswell-EP variant, built on a 22 nm process. It packs 2,600 million transistors into a 356 mm² die. The Intel Xeon E-2136 uses Coffee Lake, specifically Coffee Lake-S WS, on a 14 nm process, with a much smaller 154 mm² die. The transistor count for the E-2136 is not recorded in the database.

Core counts differ meaningfully: the E5-1680 v3 offers 8 cores and 16 threads, while the E-2136 offers 6 cores and 12 threads. Both use a per-core L1 cache of 64 KB and a per-core L2 cache of 256 KB. The shared L3 cache favors the older part: 20 MB for the E5-1680 v3 versus 12 MB for the E-2136. This larger cache likely contributes to the E5-1680 v3's ability to hold a lead in single-core tests despite the E-2136's clock advantage.

Memory architecture differs substantially. The E5-1680 v3 supports DDR4 over a quad-channel bus, delivering a memory bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s. The E-2136 also supports DDR4, but over a dual-channel bus, with a recorded bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. For memory-intensive workloads, the E5-1680 v3 has a clear theoretical bandwidth advantage, roughly 60% more, though the Cinebench tests here do not heavily stress memory bandwidth.

PCIe connectivity also diverges. The E5-1680 v3 provides Gen 3 with 40 lanes (CPU only), while the E-2136 provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). For multi-GPU or high-density NVMe configurations, the older part is far more capable. The E-2136 includes integrated graphics, specifically UHD Graphics P630, while the E5-1680 v3 has no integrated graphics recorded. Both support ECC memory, which is expected for server or workstation parts.

Clock speeds favor the newer chip: the E-2136 runs at 3.30 GHz base and 4.50 GHz boost, versus 3.20 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost for the E5-1680 v3. The TDP reflects the design divergence: 140 watts for the E5-1680 v3, 80 watts for the E-2136. The E5-1680 v3 is multiplier-unlocked, while the E-2136 is locked. Sockets differ entirely: LGA 2011-3 for the E5-1680 v3, LGA 1151 for the E-2136.

The release dates are far apart. The E5-1680 v3 launched in September 2014, the E-2136 in July 2018. Both are end-of-life production parts. The E-2136 is the only one with a recorded launch MSRP of $289; the E5-1680 v3 has no MSRP field in the database.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to a straightforward conclusion: the Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 wins every Cinebench test, but only by a narrow margin of roughly 2% across the board. Users who prioritize raw compute scores, whether single-threaded or multi-threaded, should select the E5-1680 v3 based strictly on the recorded results. The 8-core, 16-thread configuration with 20 MB of L3 cache and quad-channel memory provides a consistent, if modest, performance edge.

The Intel Xeon E-2136 does not win any benchmark in this comparison, but it offers other advantages that the data records: a much lower 80-watt TDP versus 140 watts, a smaller 154 mm² die, integrated graphics for systems that need a display output without a discrete GPU, and a newer release date. Its 4.50 GHz boost clock is the highest among the two, though that did not translate into a single-core victory in Cinebench.

For a system builder who needs maximum compute throughput per benchmark point, the E5-1680 v3 is the choice. For a builder who values lower power draw, integrated graphics, and a more recent platform, the E-2136 has merits that the Cinebench scores do not capture. Both parts sit at the 53rd percentile among all CPUs in the database, which places them in the same performance tier overall despite their architectural differences.

The verdict from the data: the E5-1680 v3 is the faster processor in every measured test, while the E-2136 is the more efficient and more modern platform option. Neither chip dominates the other in a way that makes the decision obvious; the choice depends on whether benchmark scores outweigh platform characteristics.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 scores 11289 versus 11040 for the Intel Xeon E-2136, a 2.3% advantage.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon E-2136 win any benchmark in this comparison?

A: No. The E5-1680 v3 wins all six head-to-head tests, with zero wins recorded for the E-2136.

Q: How much memory bandwidth does each processor support?

A: The E5-1680 v3 supports 68.3 GB/s over a quad-channel DDR4 bus. The E-2136 supports 42.7 GB/s over a dual-channel DDR4 bus.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each chip?

A: The E5-1680 v3 has 8 cores and 16 threads. The E-2136 has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Does either processor include integrated graphics?

A: The E-2136 includes UHD Graphics P630. The E5-1680 v3 has no integrated graphics recorded in the database.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The E5-1680 v3 has a 140-watt TDP, while the E-2136 has an 80-watt TDP.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 | Intel Xeon E-2136 |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 8 | 6 |

| Threads | 16 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.80 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 140 W | 80 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 2011-3 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Haswell (Haswell-EP) | Coffee Lake (Coffee Lake-S WS) |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | 356 mm² | 154 mm² |

| Transistors | 2,600 million | Not recorded |

| L3 Cache | 20 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 68.3 GB/s | 42.7 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 40 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | UHD Graphics P630 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Release Date | September 2014 | July 2018 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $289 |