Intel Xeon E-2146G vs Intel Xeon E5-1680 v4 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data paints a consistent picture: the Intel Xeon E5-1680 v4 wins every single head-to-head comparison in the database, across all six recorded Cinebench tests. The margins are remarkably uniform, hovering around 7% in each test. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the E5-1680 v4 scores 1217 against the E-2146G's 1130, a 7.1% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows a 7% gap, with scores of 171 versus 159.

The pattern holds in newer Cinebench versions. In R20 multi-core, the E5-1680 v4 posts 5073 points, beating the E-2146G's 4709 by 7.2%. The R20 single-core result is 716 against 664, a 7.3% edge. Cinebench R23 multi-core sees the E5-1680 v4 score 12080 versus 11214, again a 7.2% difference. The R23 single-core test rounds out the sweep with 1705 points against 1583, a 7.2% margin.

The consistency of these deltas is notable. The E5-1680 v4 does not merely win in one workload type; it holds the same approximate lead across both multi-threaded and single-threaded tests. This suggests a fundamental performance advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk. In the aggregate benchmark score, the E5-1680 v4 averages 3494 across all recorded tests, while the E-2146G averages 3410, a difference of roughly 2.4%.

When placed against the broader market, both CPUs sit near the middle of the pack. The E5-1680 v4 lands in the 55th percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the E-2146G is in the 54th percentile. The nearest rivals list for the E5-1680 v4 includes the Intel Xeon E-2246G (0.1% faster), the Intel Core i9-9900T (0.2% faster), and the Intel Xeon E-2176G (0.2% faster). The E-2146G's closest competitors include the Intel Xeon E-2236 (identical average score), the AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C18I (0.1% slower), and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 7530U (0.5% slower).

Where Each One Wins

The data shows a clean sweep for the Intel Xeon E5-1680 v4, with all six head-to-head benchmark wins going to the older Broadwell chip. There are no benchmark categories where the E-2146G comes out ahead in the recorded measurements. This includes both multi-core and single-core workloads, meaning the E5-1680 v4 does not sacrifice single-threaded responsiveness for its multi-threaded lead.

For multi-threaded productivity tasks, such as video rendering or 3D modeling, the E5-1680 v4's advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core (12080 versus 11214) indicates a meaningful lead in sustained all-core workloads. The extra two cores and four threads on the E5-1680 v4 (8 cores, 16 threads versus 6 cores, 12 threads) likely contribute to this edge.

In single-threaded applications, where clock speed often dominates, the E5-1680 v4 still holds a 7% lead despite having a lower boost clock (4.00 GHz versus 4.50 GHz). This suggests that architectural differences, such as the larger 20 MB shared L3 cache on the E5-1680 v4, play a role in its single-core performance. The E-2146G's higher boost clock is not enough to overcome the E5-1680 v4's advantages in the recorded tests.

For users working in mixed workloads, the E5-1680 v4's consistent margins across all Cinebench versions make it the safer choice based on the benchmark data. The E-2146G, however, remains competitive in the overall standings, with its average score only 2.4% behind its rival.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel families and target different platforms. The Intel Xeon E-2146G is part of the Xeon E-2100 series, built on the Coffee Lake architecture (codename Coffee Lake-S WS) and fabricated on a 14 nm process at Intel. Its die size is 154 mm². The Intel Xeon E5-1680 v4 belongs to the Broadwell generation (codename Broadwell-EP), also on a 14 nm process, but its die is larger at 246 mm² and contains 3,400 million transistors.

Core counts differ: the E-2146G has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the E5-1680 v4 has 8 cores and 16 threads. Both have a 64 KB L1 cache per core and a 256 KB L2 cache per core, but the shared L3 cache is larger on the E5-1680 v4: 20 MB versus 12 MB on the E-2146G.

Memory support also diverges. The E-2146G uses dual-channel DDR4 memory with a peak bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The E5-1680 v4 supports quad-channel DDR4, doubling the memory channels and reaching 76.8 GB/s of bandwidth. Both support ECC memory, which is critical for server and workstation reliability.

The platforms themselves are quite different. The E-2146G uses Intel Socket 1151, while the E5-1680 v4 uses Intel Socket 2011-3. PCIe lane counts differ dramatically: the E-2146G provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the E5-1680 v4 offers 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. This makes the E5-1680 v4 more suitable for systems with multiple GPUs or high-bandwidth expansion cards.

A notable difference is integrated graphics. The E-2146G includes HD Graphics P630, while the E5-1680 v4 has no integrated graphics at all. The E-2146G is marketed as a Server/Workstation part, while the E5-1680 v4 is classified as a Desktop processor despite its Xeon branding.

The release dates are separated by about two years: the E5-1680 v4 launched in June 2016, while the E-2146G launched in July 2018. Both are end-of-life products. The launch MSRP for the E-2146G was $317, and for the E5-1680 v4 it was $1723. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1680 v4 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Xeon E-2146G has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Does the E-2146G have a higher clock speed?

A: Yes, the E-2146G has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. The E5-1680 v4 has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz.

Q: Which CPU has better single-core performance in Cinebench R23?

A: The E5-1680 v4 scores 1705 in Cinebench R23 single-core, which is 7.2% higher than the E-2146G's score of 1583.

Q: What are the memory bandwidth differences?

A: The E5-1680 v4 supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth, while the E-2146G supports dual-channel DDR4 with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The E5-1680 v4 has 20 MB of shared L3 cache, while the E-2146G has 12 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Do both CPUs support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the E-2146G and the E5-1680 v4 support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the E-2146G has integrated graphics (HD Graphics P630). The E5-1680 v4 has no integrated graphics.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E-2146G | Intel Xeon E5-1680 v4 |

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

| Series | Xeon E-2100 series | Not specified |

| Cores | 6 | 8 |

| Threads | 12 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.50 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| TDP | 80 W | 140 W |

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

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Broadwell |

| Codename | Coffee Lake-S WS | Broadwell-EP |

| Generation | Xeon E (Coffee Lake) | Xeon E5 (Broadwell-EP) |

| Die Size | 154 mm² | 246 mm² |

| Transistors | Not specified | 3,400 million |

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

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 42.7 GB/s | 76.8 GB/s |

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

| Integrated Graphics | HD Graphics P630 | None |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Release Date | July 2018 | June 2016 |

| Launch MSRP | $317 | $1723 |

| Part Number | SR3WT | SR2P8 |