Intel Xeon E-2186G vs Intel Xeon E-2236 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data is unusually one-sided here. Across all six recorded Cinebench tests, the Intel Xeon E-2236 wins every single matchup, with zero wins for the Intel Xeon E-2186G. That is a clean sweep in the database’s head-to-head results, and it holds across both multi-core and single-core workloads.

For multi-threaded rendering and compute tasks, the E-2236 takes the lead in every Cinebench generation tested. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 1188 against 1158 for the E-2186G. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the margin is 4952 versus 4826. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the gap widens to 11792 versus 11492. The pattern is consistent: the newer part maintains roughly a 2.5% advantage in all multi-core tests.

Single-core performance tells the same story. The E-2236 posts 167 in Cinebench R15 single-core, 698 in Cinebench R20 single-core, and 1664 in Cinebench R23 single-core. The E-2186G trails at 163, 681, and 1622 respectively. For workloads that depend on lightly threaded performance, such as legacy applications or latency-sensitive tasks, the E-2236 is the better pick by the numbers.

There is one area where the E-2186G retains a distinct edge: Geekbench. The database records a Geekbench multi-core score of 6204 and a single-core score of 1550 for the E-2186G. Notably, the E-2236 has no recorded Geekbench scores in the dataset, so there is no direct comparison available for that suite. If Geekbench performance matters to a specific deployment, the E-2186G’s recorded results stand alone.

The E-2186G also carries a higher base clock, 3.80 GHz versus 3.40 GHz for the E-2236. That partially explains why some workloads may favor the older chip despite its lower boost clock. However, in every benchmark where both parts have scores, the E-2236 wins. The E-2186G’s wins are limited to tests where the E-2236 has no data.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on the same fundamental design: Coffee Lake-S WS architecture, 14 nm process node, Intel as the foundry, and a die size of 154 mm². They share the same socket, Intel Socket 1151, and both belong to the Xeon E family, specifically the Coffee Lake generation. Neither has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not part of the equation.

Core and thread counts are identical. Each chip has 6 cores and 12 threads, with the same cache hierarchy: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. Memory support is also identical: DDR4 on a dual-channel bus with 42.7 GB/s of bandwidth, and both support ECC memory, which is a key feature for workstation reliability.

The differences are subtle but real. The E-2186G has a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz, while the E-2236 has a lower base clock of 3.40 GHz but a higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz. That higher boost clock on the E-2236 is the likely driver of its single-core and multi-core wins in Cinebench, as all six tests show it ahead despite the lower base frequency.

Thermal design power differs: the E-2186G is rated at 95 W, while the E-2236 is rated at 80 W. This means the newer part delivers better benchmark results while consuming less thermal headroom, a meaningful advantage in dense server or workstation chassis.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The E-2186G includes HD Graphics P630, while the E-2236 includes UHD Graphics P630. Both are integrated solutions, but the naming indicates a generation bump in the graphics block. PCIe support is the same: Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

Release timing separates them. The E-2186G was released on 2018-05-30, while the E-2236 followed on 2019-05-28, roughly a year later. Both are now end-of-life production status. The launch MSRP for the E-2186G is $506, while the E-2236 launched at $284, though pricing analysis is outside the scope of this comparison.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data covers six Cinebench tests, and the E-2236 wins all six. The deltas are tightly clustered, between 2.4% and 2.5%, which suggests a consistent frequency advantage rather than any architectural overhaul.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the E-2236 scores 1188 against 1158 for the E-2186G, a 2.5% lead. The single-core test shows 167 versus 163, a 2.4% gap. These are small margins, but they repeat across every generation of the Cinebench suite.

Cinebench R20 follows the same pattern. Multi-core: 4952 versus 4826, a 2.5% difference. Single-core: 698 versus 681, a 2.4% difference. The E-2236’s boost clock of 4.80 GHz, 100 MHz higher than the E-2186G’s 4.70 GHz, plausibly accounts for this consistent edge.

Cinebench R23, the most demanding workload in the set, shows the largest absolute gaps. Multi-core: 11792 versus 11492, again a 2.5% delta. Single-core: 1664 versus 1622, a 2.5% delta. The margin does not shrink under heavier load, indicating the E-2236 sustains its advantage even as all cores ramp up.

For context on where these chips sit in the broader market, the E-2186G has an average benchmark score of 3462 and sits at the 54th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rival is the Intel Core i7-9700F with an average score of 3464, a delta of 0%. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7730U is 0.2% behind at 3456, and the AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS is 0.4% behind at 3447. The E-2236 has an average score of 3410, also at the 54th percentile. Its closest rival is the Intel Xeon E-2146G with the same average score of 3410, a 0% delta. The AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C18I is 0.1% behind at 3406, and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 7530U is 0.5% behind at 3394.

Interestingly, the E-2186G’s average score is higher than the E-2236’s, despite losing all six head-to-head tests. This is because the E-2186G’s Geekbench scores, 6204 multi-core and 1550 single-core, are included in its average, while the E-2236 has no Geekbench data. The average score is a composite metric, and the E-2186G benefits from having a broader benchmark footprint.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Xeon E-2236 wins every multi-core test in the database. It leads by 2.5% in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core, with scores of 1188, 4952, and 11792 respectively, versus 1158, 4826, and 11492 for the E-2186G.

Q: How do they compare in single-core performance?

A: The E-2236 also wins all single-core tests. It scores 167 in Cinebench R15, 698 in R20, and 1664 in R23, while the E-2186G scores 163, 681, and 1622. The deltas range from 2.4% to 2.5% in favor of the E-2236.

Q: Does the E-2186G win anywhere?

A: In the recorded head-to-head benchmarks, no. The E-2186G has zero wins across the six Cinebench tests. However, it has recorded Geekbench scores of 6204 multi-core and 1550 single-core, while the E-2236 has no Geekbench data in the database, so no comparison exists for that suite.

Q: What is the difference in clock speeds?

A: The E-2186G has a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The E-2236 has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The E-2236’s boost clock is 100 MHz higher, which correlates with its benchmark wins.

Q: Are both processors identical in core count and cache?

A: Yes. Both have 6 cores, 12 threads, 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. They also share the same 14 nm process node and 154 mm² die size.

Q: Do they support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both support ECC memory. They also share the same DDR4 dual-channel memory bus with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth and the same PCIe Gen 3, 16 lane configuration from the CPU.

The Verdict

The data makes a straightforward case. If you are choosing based purely on recorded benchmark performance, the Intel Xeon E-2236 wins every single head-to-head test in the database. Its higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz, despite a lower base clock of 3.40 GHz, translates into a consistent 2.4% to 2.5% advantage across all six Cinebench workloads. It also does so while drawing less power, with an 80 W TDP versus 95 W for the E-2186G.

The E-2186G is not without merits. Its Geekbench scores, 6204 multi-core and 1550 single-core, are present in the database, and its average benchmark score of 3462 is higher than the E-2236’s 3410. If Geekbench is the relevant workload for a specific deployment, the E-2186G has demonstrable results, while the E-2236 lacks any recorded data in that suite. The E-2186G also has a higher base clock, which may help in scenarios where sustained all-core operation at lower frequencies is preferred.

For general workstation and server tasks measured by Cinebench, the choice is clear: the E-2236 is the better performer. It wins every benchmark where both parts have scores, and it achieves that win with a lower TDP. The E-2236’s launch MSRP is $284, compared to $506 for the E-2186G, though cost considerations are not part of this analysis.

Both processors sit at the 54th percentile of all CPUs, and both are end-of-life parts. The E-2236 is the newer release by roughly a year, and its benchmark results reflect a modest but consistent generational improvement. For anyone running Cinebench-style rendering workloads, the E-2236 is the superior choice. For anyone relying on Geekbench as a primary metric, the E-2186G at least has recorded data to evaluate, while the E-2236 does not.