Intel Xeon E-2136 vs Intel Xeon W-2133 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data for these two six-core, twelve-thread Xeon processors shows a consistent pattern: the Intel Xeon E-2136 wins every single recorded test. There is no benchmark in the database where the Xeon W-2133 comes out ahead. The margins are narrow but uniform, with the E-2136 holding a 3.2% to 3.4% advantage across all six Cinebench tests.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the E-2136 scores 1112 against 1075 for the W-2133, a 3.3% gap. The single-core result in R15 is 156 versus 151, a 3.2% edge. Moving to Cinebench R20, the E-2136 posts 4636 multi-core and 654 single-core, while the W-2133 manages 4483 and 632 respectively. Both deltas sit at 3.3% and 3.4%. The R23 results tell the same story: 11040 versus 10676 multi-core, and 1558 versus 1507 single-core, each a 3.3% difference.

The average benchmark score in the database reinforces this. The E-2136 carries an average score of 3193, while the W-2133 sits at 3087. That is a 3.4% overall gap. The W-2133's nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core i7-8700B at 3086 (a 0% delta), the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 at 3082 (0.2% slower), and the Intel Core i7-6850K at 3079 (0.3% slower). The E-2136's closest competition includes the Intel Core i7-9700E at 3197 (0.1% faster) and the Intel Core i3-13100T at 3198 (0.2% faster). So while the E-2136 is clearly the faster chip in this pairing, both processors sit within a tight cluster of similarly performing parts.

The percentile rankings reflect this. The W-2133 lands in the 52nd percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the E-2136 reaches the 53rd percentile. That one-point difference is consistent with the single-digit percentage performance deltas seen in the head-to-head tests. Neither chip is a standout in the broader CPU landscape, but the E-2136 is measurably, if modestly, quicker in every recorded workload.

Where Each One Wins

The data leaves no ambiguity: the Intel Xeon E-2136 wins every benchmark category recorded. There are no multi-core victories for the W-2133, no single-core victories, and no workload where the W-2133 narrows the gap to less than 3.2%. The E-2136 wins six out of six head-to-head tests.

For users prioritizing raw compute throughput, the E-2136 is the clear choice. Its multi-core scores are consistently about 3.3% higher than the W-2133 across R15, R20, and R23. For single-threaded tasks, the advantage is nearly identical, ranging from 3.2% to 3.4%. Whether the workload is rendering, compiling, or general productivity, the E-2136 delivers a small but repeatable edge.

The W-2133 does have one area where it can claim a structural advantage: platform bandwidth. It supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with a theoretical bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s, exactly double the 42.7 GB/s of the E-2136's dual-channel setup. The W-2133 also offers 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, versus 16 lanes on the E-2136. For memory-bound workloads or systems with many expansion cards, the W-2133 platform could offset its compute deficit. However, in the recorded Cinebench scores, that bandwidth advantage does not translate into any benchmark win. The E-2136 wins all tests despite the W-2133's wider memory bus and greater PCIe connectivity.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel architecture families built on different sockets. The Xeon W-2133 uses the Skylake architecture, specifically the Skylake-W codename, on Intel Socket 2066. The Xeon E-2136 uses the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically Coffee Lake-S WS, on Intel Socket 1151. Both are fabricated on Intel's 14 nm process, but the die sizes differ dramatically: the W-2133 measures 484 mm², while the E-2136 is much smaller at 154 mm².

Core and thread counts are identical at 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks differ, with the W-2133 running at 3.60 GHz and the E-2136 at 3.30 GHz. The boost clocks tell a different story: the W-2133 tops out at 3.90 GHz, while the E-2136 reaches 4.50 GHz. That 600 MHz boost advantage for the E-2136 explains its consistent single-core wins.

Cache hierarchies also differ. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core. The L2 cache is 1 MB per core on the W-2133, but only 256 KB per core on the E-2136. The L3 cache reverses the situation: the W-2133 has 8.25 MB shared, while the E-2136 has 12 MB shared. The E-2136's larger L3 pool and higher boost clock appear to compensate for its smaller per-core L2.

Memory support is DDR4 on both, but the memory bus differs. The W-2133 uses quad-channel memory with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth; the E-2136 uses dual-channel with 42.7 GB/s. Both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity also splits: the W-2133 provides Gen 3 with 48 lanes from the CPU, while the E-2136 provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The E-2136 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics P630); the W-2133 has no integrated GPU.

Power draw is a notable differentiator. The W-2133 has a TDP of 140 watts, while the E-2136 is rated at 80 watts. The E-2136 delivers higher benchmark scores at nearly half the thermal envelope. Release dates are roughly a year apart: the W-2133 launched in August 2017, the E-2136 in July 2018. Both are marked end-of-life in the production status.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2136 wins every multi-core test. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 11040 versus 10676 for the W-2133, a 3.3% advantage. Similar gaps appear in R15 (1112 vs 1075) and R20 (4636 vs 4483).

Q: Is the single-core performance difference the same as multi-core?

A: Yes, the single-core deltas are nearly identical. The E-2136 leads by 3.2% in R15 single-core (156 vs 151), 3.4% in R20 single-core (654 vs 632), and 3.3% in R23 single-core (1558 vs 1507).

Q: Does the W-2133 have any hardware advantage?

A: It has a wider memory interface. The W-2133 supports quad-channel DDR4 with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth, twice the 42.7 GB/s of the E-2136. It also provides 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes versus 16 on the E-2136. These advantages do not produce any benchmark wins in the recorded data.

Q: How do their power requirements compare?

A: The W-2133 is rated at 140 W TDP, while the E-2136 is rated at 80 W. The E-2136 achieves higher scores across all tests while drawing less power according to the TDP ratings.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both support ECC memory. They also both support DDR4, though with different channel configurations.

Q: What are the socket requirements?

A: The W-2133 uses Intel Socket 2066, while the E-2136 uses Intel Socket 1151. They are not interchangeable.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon W-2133 | Intel Xeon E-2136 |

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

| Architecture | Skylake | Coffee Lake |

| Socket | Intel Socket 2066 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Base Clock | 3.60 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.90 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 140 W | 80 W |

| Die Size | 484 mm² | 154 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 256 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 8.25 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 85.3 GB/s | 42.7 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 48 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | UHD Graphics P630 |

| Release Date | 2017-08-28 | 2018-07-11 |

| Launch MSRP | $617 | $289 |

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon E-2136 is the faster processor in every recorded test. It wins all six Cinebench comparisons with margins between 3.2% and 3.4%. Its average benchmark score of 3193 exceeds the W-2133's 3087 by roughly 3.4%. The E-2136 also achieves this with a 60-watt lower TDP, a smaller die, and a higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz versus 3.90 GHz.

The W-2133's only advantages are platform-level: quad-channel memory with double the bandwidth (85.3 GB/s vs 42.7 GB/s) and three times the PCIe lanes (48 vs 16). For users building a workstation with many expansion cards or memory-intensive workloads that scale with channel count, the W-2133 platform offers headroom the E-2136 cannot match. But the recorded Cinebench scores show no benefit from that extra bandwidth in compute tasks.

For most buyers, the E-2136 is the better choice. It wins all compute benchmarks, draws less power, includes integrated graphics, and carries a lower launch MSRP of $289 versus $617. The W-2133 makes sense only if the quad-channel memory bus and 48 PCIe lanes are essential to the system design. If raw CPU performance is the priority, the database shows the E-2136 ahead in every category.