CPU Comparison
Intel Xeon E-2146G
Xeon E-2236
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Xeon E-2146G vs Intel Xeon E-2236
The Intel Xeon E-2236 is the outright winner in this matchup, taking all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the Intel Xeon E-2146G. While both processors share the same core count, cache configuration, and 80 W TDP, the E-2236 consistently outperforms its predecessor across every Cinebench workload tested, with the margin hovering near 5% in each case.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The E-2236 wins every single benchmark in the comparison, with the smallest lead appearing in Cinebench R15 single-core and the largest in multi-core tests. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the E-2236 scores 1188 against the E-2146G’s 1130, a delta of -4.9% from the perspective of the older chip. The single-core R15 result shows a similar pattern: 167 versus 159, a 4.8% advantage for the E-2236.
Moving to Cinebench R20, the gap remains consistent. The E-2236 posts 4952 in multicore compared to 4709 for the E-2146G, again a 4.9% difference. In single-core R20, the E-2236’s 698 beats the E-2146G’s 664 by the same 4.9% margin. This consistency across different rendering workloads indicates the performance advantage is not workload-specific but rather a general characteristic of the newer part.
Cinebench R23 results reinforce the trend. The E-2236 scores 11792 in multicore versus 11214 for the E-2146G, a 4.9% delta. In single-core R23, the E-2236 hits 1664 while the E-2146G manages 1583, again a 4.9% gap. Notably, the E-2146G does not appear in the head-to-head results for Geekbench, meaning those scores (6283 multicore, 1540 single-core) stand alone without a direct comparison from the E-2236.
The average benchmark scores for both CPUs are identical at 3410, and both sit at the 54th percentile among all CPUs. The nearest rivals list confirms the close pairing: the two Xeons are separated by 0% deltaPct, with the AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C18I at 0.1% and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 7530U at 0.5% behind, while the Intel Core i7-10875H sits 0.6% ahead. This places both Xeons in the same performance tier, with the E-2236’s wins being consistent but modest in absolute terms.
Architecture Differences
Both processors are built on the same fundamental architecture: Coffee Lake-S WS, manufactured on Intel’s 14 nm process with a die size of 154 mm². They share the same six-core, twelve-thread configuration, identical L1 cache at 64 KB per core, L2 cache at 256 KB per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. Both use the Intel Socket 1151, support dual-channel DDR4 memory with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth, include ECC memory support, and provide PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.
The key architectural differences are in clock speeds and integrated graphics. The E-2146G has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz, while the E-2236 runs at 3.40 GHz base and 4.80 GHz boost. The E-2236 sacrifices 100 MHz in base frequency but gains 300 MHz in boost, which explains its consistent lead in single-threaded benchmarks.
The integrated graphics also differ: the E-2146G ships with HD Graphics P630, while the E-2236 uses UHD Graphics P630. Both are integrated graphics solutions for server/workstation use, but the naming indicates a generational step. The release dates confirm the E-2236 is the newer part, launching on 2019-05-28 compared to the E-2146G’s 2018-07-11. Both are end-of-life products, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.
The part numbers differ as expected: SR3WT for the E-2146G and SRF7G for the E-2236. Both belong to the same Coffee Lake generation in Intel’s Xeon E lineup, with the E-2146G in the E-2100 series and the E-2236 in the E-2200 series.
Where Each One Wins
The E-2236 wins everywhere in this comparison. In multi-threaded workloads, the data shows a consistent 4.9% advantage across R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests. This makes the E-2236 the better choice for rendering, compilation, or any heavily threaded server workload where the Cinebench scores are representative.
In single-threaded tasks, the E-2236 also leads, with margins of 4.8% in R15 and 4.9% in both R20 and R23. The higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz versus 4.50 GHz directly explains this edge in lightly threaded applications, database queries, or any workload that depends on a single core’s maximum frequency.
The E-2146G does not win a single benchmark in the head-to-head set. Its only potential advantage lies outside the tested workloads: a higher base clock of 3.50 GHz versus 3.40 GHz could theoretically benefit sustained all-core loads at base frequency, but the benchmark data does not support this, as the E-2236 wins all multicore tests despite the lower base clock. For any user choosing between these two, the E-2236 is the superior processor in every measured category.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?
A: The Intel Xeon E-2236 has a boost clock of 4.80 GHz, while the Intel Xeon E-2146G boosts to 4.50 GHz.
Q: Are the two processors identical in core and thread counts?
A: Yes, both have 6 cores and 12 threads, with the same 64 KB L1 cache per core, 256 KB L2 cache per core, and 12 MB shared L3 cache.
Q: What is the performance difference in Cinebench R23 multicore?
A: The E-2236 scores 11792 versus 11214 for the E-2146G, a 4.9% advantage for the newer chip.
Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?
A: Yes, both the E-2146G and E-2236 support ECC memory and use dual-channel DDR4 with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth.
Q: What are the integrated graphics on each chip?
A: The E-2146G has HD Graphics P630, while the E-2236 has UHD Graphics P630.
Q: Is there any benchmark where the E-2146G wins?
A: No, the E-2236 wins all six head-to-head benchmarks, with the E-2146G recording zero wins.
Specification Differences
| Specification | Intel Xeon E-2146G | Intel Xeon E-2236 |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 3.40 GHz |
| Boost Clock | 4.50 GHz | 4.80 GHz |
| Integrated Graphics | HD Graphics P630 | UHD Graphics P630 |
| Release Date | 2018-07-11 | 2019-05-28 |
| Part Number | SR3WT | SRF7G |
| Launch MSRP | $317 | $284 |
All other specifications are identical: 6 cores, 12 threads, 80 W TDP, Intel Socket 1151, Coffee Lake architecture, 14 nm process, 154 mm² die size, 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, 12 MB shared L3, DDR4 dual-channel memory, 42.7 GB/s bandwidth, ECC support, PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, and both are end-of-life with locked multipliers.
The Verdict
The Intel Xeon E-2236 is the clear choice between these two processors. Benchmark results show it leads in every single head-to-head test, with a consistent 4.9% advantage across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core workloads. The higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz provides a direct explanation for this performance edge, and the lower launch MSRP of $284 compared to $317 for the E-2146G reinforces its position as the better option.
The E-2146G offers no benchmark victories to recommend it. Its higher base clock of 3.50 GHz does not translate into any measured advantage, and its lower boost clock leaves it behind in all scenarios tested. Users who already own an E-2146G have no reason to upgrade based on raw performance alone, but anyone selecting between these two parts new should pick the E-2236 without hesitation.
Both processors occupy the same performance percentile at 54, and their average benchmark scores are identical at 3410, indicating they sit in the same tier. However, the E-2236 consistently edges ahead in every measurable test, making it the superior workstation or server processor. For workloads where single-threaded performance matters, the E-2236’s 300 MHz boost advantage is decisive. For multi-threaded rendering, the E-2236’s wins across all three Cinebench versions confirm it handles sustained loads better as well. The data is unambiguous: the E-2236 wins this matchup outright.