Intel Xeon E-2186G vs Intel Xeon W-1290TE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents a clear and consistent picture: the Intel Xeon W-1290TE wins every single benchmark in the head-to-head comparison against the Intel Xeon E-2186G. Across six Cinebench tests, the W-1290TE holds a lead that never dips below 6.1%. In the R15 multicore test, the W-1290TE scores 1230 against 1158 for the E-2186G, a 6.2% advantage. The single-core R15 result is nearly identical in margin, with the W-1290TE posting 173 versus 163, a 6.1% win. Moving to R20, the multicore scores are 5129 and 4826, respectively, which translates to a 6.3% edge for the W-1290TE. The R20 single-core test shows the same 6.3% delta, with scores of 724 and 681.

The pattern holds in the R23 suite. The W-1290TE scores 12213 in multicore, while the E-2186G reaches 11492, again a 6.3% advantage. In R23 single-core, the W-1290TE posts 1724 against 1622, another 6.3% delta. Every head-to-head result in the database is won by the W-1290TE. There are no tests where the E-2186G comes out ahead. The largest margin is 6.3% (appearing in four of the six tests), and the smallest is 6.1% in R15 single-core. This is a uniform, if modest, sweep. The E-2186G is never within striking distance, but it is also never blown out.

Looking at the broader benchmark averages, the W-1290TE holds an average benchmark score of 3532, while the E-2186G sits at 3462. The W-1290TE also ranks at the 55th percentile among all CPUs, slightly ahead of the E-2186G's 54th percentile. The W-1290TE's nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core i3-12300 (matching its average score exactly at 3532), the Intel Core i5-10600K (3533, a 0% delta), and the Intel Xeon W-2135 (3530, a 0.1% delta). The E-2186G's nearest rivals are the Intel Core i7-9700F (3464, a 0% delta), the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7730U (3456, a 0.2% delta), and the AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS (3447, a 0.4% delta). These surrounding scores put both chips in the same general performance tier, but the W-1290TE consistently lands on the higher side of that tier.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark distribution is lopsided, but the reasons are structural. The W-1290TE is a 10-core, 20-thread processor, while the E-2186G is a 6-core, 12-thread processor. That core count difference shows up directly in the multicore tests. The R15 multicore delta of 6.2% and the R20 and R23 multicore deltas of 6.3% all reflect the W-1290TE's ability to distribute work across four additional physical cores. For heavily threaded workloads, the W-1290TE is the clear choice based on the data.

The single-core results are more interesting. The E-2186G has a higher base clock (3.80 GHz versus 1.80 GHz) and a higher boost clock (4.70 GHz versus 4.50 GHz), yet the W-1290TE still wins every single-core test. The R15 single-core margin is 6.1%, and the R20 and R23 single-core margins are both 6.3%. This suggests that the W-1290TE's newer architecture (Comet Lake versus Coffee Lake) and larger shared L3 cache (20 MB versus 12 MB) compensate for the E-2186G's clock speed advantage. The E-2186G's higher clocks do not translate into a single-core victory in any recorded test.

For workloads that rely on cache capacity, the W-1290TE again has the edge. Its 20 MB shared L3 cache is 8 MB larger than the E-2186G's 12 MB shared cache. The E-2186G does have a slight memory bandwidth advantage in terms of raw figures? No, actually the W-1290TE lists a memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s for the E-2186G. Both support DDR4 and dual-channel memory, and both support ECC memory.

The E-2186G's wins are essentially nonexistent in the recorded head-to-head data. Its only notable advantages are in clock speed and its status as a lower-cost option at launch (though pricing is not a focus here). It also has a smaller die size at 154 mm² versus 206 mm² for the W-1290TE, which can matter for certain system-level considerations. But in terms of raw benchmark performance, the database shows no test where the E-2186G takes the lead.

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward conclusion: the Intel Xeon W-1290TE is the faster processor in every measured category. It wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, holds a higher average benchmark score (3532 versus 3462), and ranks one percentile higher (55th versus 54th). For anyone choosing strictly on benchmark performance, the W-1290TE is the pick.

That said, the margins are not huge. The largest delta in the head-to-head set is 6.3%, and the smallest is 6.1%. The two processors are close enough in the overall database that their nearest rivals overlap in average score. The W-1290TE sits near the Intel Core i5-10600K and Intel Core i3-12300, while the E-2186G sits near the Intel Core i7-9700F and AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7730U. Neither chip is dramatically faster than the other, but the W-1290TE is consistently faster.

The E-2186G may still make sense in systems that are built around its platform. It uses Intel Socket 1151, while the W-1290TE uses Intel Socket 1200. That means a motherboard designed for one will not accept the other. The E-2186G is also marked as end-of-life in the database, while the W-1290TE is listed as active production. For new system builds, the W-1290TE has a longer expected availability horizon.

The W-1290TE also offers more cores, more threads, more L3 cache, and higher memory bandwidth. Its 35 W TDP is significantly lower than the E-2186G's 95 W TDP, which can simplify cooling and power delivery in dense server or workstation chassis. The E-2186G's higher base clock (3.80 GHz versus 1.80 GHz) and higher boost clock (4.70 GHz versus 4.50 GHz) do not yield any benchmark wins in the recorded data. The verdict is clear: the W-1290TE is the superior choice across every benchmark in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU wins in multicore performance?

A: The Intel Xeon W-1290TE wins every multicore test. In Cinebench R15 it scores 1230 versus 1158, and in R20 it scores 5129 versus 4826. The R23 multicore result is 12213 versus 11492.

Q: Does the E-2186G win any benchmark?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows six tests, all won by the W-1290TE. The E-2186G has zero wins in the recorded comparison.

Q: How large is the performance gap in single-core tests?

A: The W-1290TE leads by 6.1% in R15 single-core (173 versus 163) and by 6.3% in both R20 single-core (724 versus 681) and R23 single-core (1724 versus 1622).

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

A: The W-1290TE has 10 cores and 20 threads. The E-2186G has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Do both CPUs support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the W-1290TE and the E-2186G support ECC memory. Both also support DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus.

Q: What is the production status of each chip?

A: The W-1290TE is listed as active production. The E-2186G is listed as end-of-life.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations. The Intel Xeon W-1290TE is built on the Comet Lake architecture, while the Intel Xeon E-2186G uses the Coffee Lake architecture. Both are fabricated on Intel's 14 nm process node and both are produced by Intel. The die sizes differ: the W-1290TE measures 206 mm², while the E-2186G is smaller at 154 mm².

Core and thread counts are the most visible split. The W-1290TE packs 10 cores and 20 threads, compared to 6 cores and 12 threads for the E-2186G. The cache hierarchy also favors the W-1290TE. Both chips have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, but the shared L3 cache differs: the W-1290TE has 20 MB shared, while the E-2186G has 12 MB shared. That is an 8 MB advantage for the W-1290TE.

Clock speeds tell a different story. The E-2186G has a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The W-1290TE has a base clock of just 1.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. Despite the E-2186G's higher clocks in both categories, the W-1290TE wins every single-core benchmark. The E-2186G's 95 W TDP is also much higher than the W-1290TE's 35 W TDP. The lower TDP of the W-1290TE is notable given its higher core count and benchmark performance.

Memory support is similar on both chips. Each supports DDR4 with a dual-channel memory bus. The W-1290TE lists a memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s, while the E-2186G lists 42.7 GB/s. Both support ECC memory, which is typical for the server and workstation segment. Both also feature PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The integrated graphics differ in branding. The W-1290TE includes Intel UHD Graphics P630, while the E-2186G includes HD Graphics P630. Both are on the same general integrated graphics tier. The sockets are not interchangeable: the W-1290TE uses Intel Socket 1200, and the E-2186G uses Intel Socket 1151. The release dates are also different, with the E-2186G launching in 2018 and the W-1290TE launching in 2020. The W-1290TE is part of the Comet Lake generation, while the E-2186G belongs to the Xeon E-2100 series under the Coffee Lake codename. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not supported on either part.