CPU Comparison

The Intel Xeon E-2278GEL is the clear benchmark winner over the Intel Xeon E-2186M, securing victories in all six head-to-head tests. The data shows a consistent performance advantage of roughly 7% across both single-core and multi-core workloads, despite the E-2278GEL having a significantly lower TDP and base clock. The E-2186M counters with a higher boost clock and a lower average benchmark score, but it cannot overcome the E-2278GEL's superior core count and cache allocation in these specific tests.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive wins for the Intel Xeon E-2278GEL come in the Cinebench R15 suite. In the multicore test, the E-2278GEL scores 1030 against the E-2186M's 961, a 7.2% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows a similar pattern, with the E-2278GEL at 145 and the E-2186M at 135, yielding a 7.4% lead. These margins establish an early trend: the E-2278GEL is not just faster in heavily threaded scenarios, but also holds a slight edge in lightly threaded ones.

Moving to the Cinebench R20 suite, the results are remarkably consistent. The E-2278GEL posts a multicore score of 4292, while the E-2186M manages 4007, a 7.1% difference. In single-core R20, the E-2278GEL scores 605 versus 565 for the E-2186M, again a 7.1% gap. This consistency across different rendering workloads suggests the performance delta is structural rather than workload-specific.

The Cinebench R23 results reinforce the narrative. The E-2278GEL achieves a multicore score of 10220, compared to the E-2186M's 9542, a 7.1% margin. The single-core R23 test shows the E-2278GEL at 1442 and the E-2186M at 1347, once more a 7.1% difference. Across all six benchmarks, the E-2278GEL's smallest win is 7.1%, and its largest is 7.4%, indicating a stable and predictable performance advantage.

It is worth remembering the E-2186M has additional benchmark data not available for the E-2278GEL. In Geekbench, the E-2186M scores 5306 for multicore and 1434 for single-core. This data point does not change the head-to-head outcome, but it does provide context for the E-2186M's overall standing, which places it in the 51st percentile of all CPUs, just one point below the E-2278GEL's 52nd percentile.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon E-2278GEL is the superior processor for performance-focused workloads. It wins every single head-to-head test, with a minimum lead of 7.1% in both single-core and multi-core scenarios. The E-2278GEL's average benchmark score of 2956 also edges out the E-2186M's 2912, reinforcing its overall advantage. For users prioritizing raw computing throughput, the E-2278GEL is the definitive choice.

The only reason to select the Intel Xeon E-2186M would be if the specific form factor or system requirements dictate its use. The E-2186M uses an Intel BGA 1440 socket, which is a soldered, mobile-oriented platform, whereas the E-2278GEL uses the more common Intel Socket 1151. If a system is designed around the BGA 1440 socket, the E-2186M is the only option, regardless of its benchmark deficit. However, from a pure performance standpoint, the E-2186M cannot match the E-2278GEL.

The E-2186M's higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz compared to the E-2278GEL's 3.90 GHz does not translate into real-world benchmark wins. This suggests that the E-2278GEL's additional two cores and larger 16 MB shared L3 cache are more impactful than the E-2186M's clock speed advantage. For users who can choose between the two sockets, the data strongly favors the E-2278GEL.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 14 nm process node and share the Coffee Lake architecture, but they are distinct implementations. The E-2278GEL is part of the Xeon E-2200 series and uses the Coffee Lake-S WS codename, while the E-2186M belongs to the Xeon E-2100 series with the Coffee Lake-H codename. This distinction is crucial: the "S" suffix indicates a desktop-class socket design, while "H" denotes a high-performance mobile variant.

The core configurations differ significantly. The E-2278GEL features 8 cores and 16 threads, while the E-2186M is limited to 6 cores and 12 threads. This is a 33% advantage in core count for the E-2278GEL, which directly contributes to its multicore benchmark wins. The cache hierarchy also diverges, with the E-2278GEL offering 16 MB of shared L3 cache versus 12 MB on the E-2186M. Both share the same per-core L1 and L2 cache sizes of 64 KB and 256 KB respectively.

The physical characteristics also differ. The E-2278GEL has a larger die size of 180 mm², compared to the E-2186M's 154 mm². The E-2278GEL is also more power-efficient, with a TDP of 35 watts against the E-2186M's 45 watts. This is notable because the E-2278GEL achieves higher performance while drawing less power, making it a more efficient design. The E-2278GEL was released later, on 2019-06-10, while the E-2186M launched on 2018-04-03.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher multi-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2278GEL scores 10220 in Cinebench R23 multicore, while the Intel Xeon E-2186M scores 9542, giving the E-2278GEL a 7.1% advantage.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two processors?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2278GEL has a TDP of 35 watts, while the Intel Xeon E-2186M has a TDP of 45 watts. The E-2278GEL is more power-efficient despite delivering higher benchmark scores.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon E-2278GEL and the Intel Xeon E-2186M support ECC memory, which is a key feature for their server/workstation market segment.

Q: What is the socket type for each processor?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2278GEL uses the Intel Socket 1151, while the Intel Xeon E-2186M uses the Intel BGA 1440 socket. This means they are not interchangeable in the same motherboard.

Q: How many cores does each processor have?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2278GEL has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Xeon E-2186M has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2278GEL has an average benchmark score of 2956, placing it in the 52nd percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Xeon E-2186M has an average score of 2912, placing it in the 51st percentile.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E-2278GEL wins in every benchmark category included in this comparison. It is superior in both single-core and multi-core workloads, with wins in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. Its 8-core, 16-thread configuration makes it the better choice for multi-threaded applications such as 3D rendering, video encoding, and other parallel processing tasks. The 16 MB of shared L3 cache also provides a larger data pool for frequently accessed information, which can benefit complex computational tasks.

The Intel Xeon E-2186M does not win any benchmark tests in this comparison. However, its higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz suggests it could have a slight edge in very short, bursty workloads that are not captured by the sustained Cinebench tests. Its lower average benchmark score of 2912 and 51st percentile ranking place it just behind the E-2278GEL in overall performance. The E-2186M's BGA 1440 socket makes it the only option for compact, mobile or embedded systems that require a soldered processor.

For users building a traditional socketed workstation or server, the E-2278GEL is the clear winner. For users constrained to a BGA 1440 platform, the E-2186M is the available choice, but the data shows it will deliver approximately 7% less performance in both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The core count differs, with the E-2278GEL offering 8 cores and 16 threads versus the E-2186M's 6 cores and 12 threads. The base clock is lower on the E-2278GEL at 2.00 GHz, while the E-2186M runs at 2.90 GHz. The boost clock also differs, with the E-2278GEL at 3.90 GHz and the E-2186M at 4.80 GHz. The TDP is 35 watts for the E-2278GEL and 45 watts for the E-2186M.

The socket types are incompatible: the E-2278GEL uses Intel Socket 1151, and the E-2186M uses Intel BGA 1440. The die size differs, with the E-2278GEL at 180 mm² and the E-2186M at 154 mm². The shared L3 cache is larger on the E-2278GEL at 16 MB, compared to the E-2186M's 12 MB. The release dates differ, with the E-2278GEL launching on 2019-06-10 and the E-2186M on 2018-04-03. The part numbers are also different: SRGE2 for the E-2278GEL and SRCKQ for the E-2186M. The launch MSRP for the E-2278GEL is $519, and for the E-2186M it is $623. Both processors share identical specifications for process node (14 nm), foundry (Intel), memory support (DDR4), memory bus (Dual-channel), memory bandwidth (42.7 GB/s), ECC support (true), PCIe (Gen 3, 16 Lanes CPU only), integrated graphics (UHD Graphics P630), and market segment (Server/Workstation).