CPU Comparison

The Intel Xeon E-2334 and Intel Xeon E-2186M represent two distinct approaches to the Xeon workstation segment: one is a newer, higher-clocked quad-core built on Rocket Lake, while the other is a lower-TDP six-core from the older Coffee Lake generation. The benchmark data provided shows a clear, consistent pattern across all six head-to-head Cinebench comparisons: the E-2334 wins every single test, with margins ranging from 8.1% to 8.3%. However, the E-2186M counters with a lower 45W TDP, a larger 12MB L3 cache, and an integrated GPU, making the choice between these two processors less straightforward than the raw scores suggest.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking feature of the head-to-head data is its uniformity. The Intel Xeon E-2334 wins all six recorded Cinebench comparisons, and the margins are almost perfectly consistent. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the E-2334 scores 1041 against the E-2186M's 961, a delta of 8.3%. The single-core R15 test shows a nearly identical story: 146 versus 135, an 8.1% advantage for the E-2334. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multicore result is 4339 for the E-2334 versus 4007 for the E-2186M, again an 8.3% margin, while the single-core result is 612 versus 565, also 8.3%.

This pattern holds through the most demanding workload in the data set. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the E-2334 posts 10333, while the E-2186M manages 9542, an 8.3% lead. The R23 single-core test rounds out the sweep: 1458 versus 1347, a 8.2% edge. The margin never drops below 8.1% and never rises above 8.3%, which suggests a systematic performance advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk. The E-2334's higher base clock of 3.40 GHz versus 2.90 GHz and its boost clock of 4.80 GHz (matching the E-2186M's boost) are the primary drivers of this consistent lead, particularly in single-threaded tests where the E-2186M's two extra cores cannot contribute.

The average benchmark scores reflect this overall superiority. The E-2334 has an average benchmark score of 2988, placing it at the 52nd percentile of all CPUs. The E-2186M, by contrast, averages 2912, sitting at the 51st percentile. While the percentile difference is only one point, the average score gap of 76 points confirms that the six direct head-to-head wins are not an isolated phenomenon. The E-2334's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5675U (deltaPct 0), the Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4 (deltaPct 0.3), and the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 4750U (deltaPct 0.8), while the E-2186M's nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 (deltaPct 0.1), Intel Core i5-1335UE (deltaPct 0.2), and Intel Xeon E-2414 (deltaPct 0.2). This places the E-2334 in slightly faster company on average, despite its fewer cores.

Where Each One Wins

Based strictly on the data, the Intel Xeon E-2334 wins every benchmark category present in the the benchmark database. This includes all three Cinebench versions (R15, R20, R23) in both multicore and single-core configurations. The E-2334's single-core dominance is particularly pronounced, with an 8.1% to 8.3% lead across the board, which is critical for lightly-threaded applications that depend on raw clock speed. Its boost clock of 4.80 GHz matches the E-2186M, but its higher base clock of 3.40 GHz means it sustains higher performance under continuous load without relying on boost behavior.

The Intel Xeon E-2186M, while losing all six direct comparisons, does have structural advantages that could make it preferable in specific scenarios. Its 45W TDP is significantly lower than the E-2334's 65W, which matters for thermally constrained environments. It also has a larger shared L3 cache (12 MB versus 8 MB), which can benefit workloads that repeatedly access a large working set. The E-2186M includes integrated UHD Graphics P630, while the E-2334 has no integrated graphics listed, meaning the E-2186M can drive a display without a discrete GPU. Its 6 cores and 12 threads provide more parallel hardware threads, even though the benchmark data shows it trailing in multicore performance, likely due to its lower clocks and older architecture.

For users prioritizing multi-threaded throughput per watt, the E-2186M's 45W TDP combined with its six cores offers an efficiency angle. However, for absolute performance in any Cinebench test, the E-2334 is the unambiguous winner.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and are built on different process nodes, though both use 14 nm lithography. The E-2334 is based on Rocket Lake (codename Rocket Lake-E), part of the Xeon E-2300 series, while the E-2186M is based on Coffee Lake (codename Coffee Lake-H), from the Xeon E-2100 series. Both use Intel's 14 nm process, but the die sizes differ substantially: the E-2334 has a die size of 276 mm², while the E-2186M is much smaller at 154 mm². This size difference reflects the newer Rocket Lake design's more complex architecture, despite the E-2334 having fewer physical cores.

The cache hierarchies differ notably. The E-2334 has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core, with 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The E-2186M has smaller per-core caches, 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2, but compensates with a larger 12 MB shared L3 cache. For single-threaded workloads, the E-2334's larger per-core L1 and L2 caches are advantageous. For multi-threaded workloads sharing data, the E-2186M's larger L3 pool could reduce memory traffic, though the benchmark data shows the E-2334 still wins in all multicore tests.

Memory support also diverges. Both support DDR4 and use dual-channel memory buses, but the E-2334 achieves a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, versus 42.7 GB/s for the E-2186M. The E-2334 also features PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the E-2186M is limited to PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. Both support ECC memory, which is typical for Xeon workstation parts. The E-2186M includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics P630), while the E-2334 has no integrated graphics listed in the data.

Specification Differences

The specification table shows several key differences between the two parts. The core count is the most obvious: the E-2334 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the E-2186M has 6 cores and 12 threads. The base clocks differ significantly, with the E-2334 at 3.40 GHz and the E-2186M at 2.90 GHz; however, both share the same 4.80 GHz boost clock. The TDP is lower for the E-2186M at 45W versus 65W for the E-2334.

The physical packages are incompatible: the E-2334 uses Intel Socket 1200, while the E-2186M uses Intel BGA 1440, meaning the E-2186M is soldered to the motherboard. The E-2334 has a larger die (276 mm² versus 154 mm²) and a different cache layout, as detailed above. The memory bandwidth favors the E-2334 (51.2 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s), as does the PCIe generation (Gen 4 with 20 lanes versus Gen 3 with 16 lanes). The E-2186M has integrated UHD Graphics P630, while the E-2334 has none. The production status differs: the E-2334 is active, while the E-2186M is end-of-life. The release dates are also far apart, with the E-2186M launched in April 2018 and the E-2334 launched in September 2021. The launch MSRP for the E-2334 is $250, while the E-2186M launched at $623.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: Both processors share the same boost clock of 4.80 GHz. However, the E-2334 has a higher base clock of 3.40 GHz compared to the E-2186M's 2.90 GHz.

Q: Does the E-2186M have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the E-2186M includes UHD Graphics P630. The E-2334 has no integrated graphics listed in the data, so it would require a discrete GPU for display output.

Q: How much larger is the L3 cache on the E-2186M?

A: The E-2186M has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, which is 4 MB more than the E-2334's 8 MB. However, the E-2334 has larger per-core L1 and L2 caches (80 KB and 512 KB per core, respectively) compared to the E-2186M (64 KB and 256 KB per core).

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth?

A: The E-2334 supports 51.2 GB/s of memory bandwidth, while the E-2186M supports 42.7 GB/s. Both use dual-channel DDR4 memory.

Q: Which processor is newer?

A: The E-2334 was released on September 7, 2021, and is based on Rocket Lake. The E-2186M was released on April 3, 2018, and is based on Coffee Lake. The E-2334 is listed as active in production, while the E-2186M is end-of-life.

Q: How many cores does each processor have?

A: The E-2334 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the E-2186M has 6 cores and 12 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the E-2334 wins all six head-to-head Cinebench benchmarks.

The Verdict

From the data, the Intel Xeon E-2334 is the superior performer in every measured benchmark. It wins all six Cinebench comparisons with margins between 8.1% and 8.3%, and its average benchmark score (2988) exceeds that of the E-2186M (2912). The E-2334's higher base clock, larger per-core caches, faster memory bandwidth, and PCIe Gen 4 support make it the better choice for users who prioritize raw compute performance in both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads. Its active production status and lower launch MSRP of $250, compared to the E-2186M's $623, further reinforce its position as the more sensible new purchase.

The Intel Xeon E-2186M is not without merit, however. Its 45W TDP makes it more suitable for power-constrained or compact systems where the 65W E-2334 might be too demanding. The integrated UHD Graphics P630 is a significant advantage for systems that need a display output without a discrete GPU. The larger 12 MB L3 cache could theoretically help cache-sensitive workloads, and the two extra cores (6 versus 4) provide more parallel threads for highly threaded applications, even if the benchmark data shows the E-2334 still wins in multicore Cinebench tests. For users with an existing BGA 1440 motherboard or those requiring low-power operation with integrated graphics, the E-2186M remains a viable option. Ultimately, the choice hinges on whether absolute performance (E-2334) or efficiency and integrated graphics (E-2186M) matter more for the specific use case.