Intel Xeon E-2224G vs Intel Xeon W-2123 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2224G has a boost clock of 4.70 GHz, while the Intel Xeon W-2123 tops out at 3.90 GHz. The E-2224G also has a lower base clock of 3.50 GHz compared to the W-2123's 3.60 GHz.

Q: Which processor supports more memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2123 offers significantly more memory bandwidth at 85.3 GB/s, thanks to its quad-channel memory bus, whereas the Intel Xeon E-2224G provides 42.7 GB/s over a dual-channel bus. Both support DDR4 and ECC memory.

Q: Do both CPUs have integrated graphics?

A: No. The Intel Xeon E-2224G includes HD Graphics P630, while the Intel Xeon W-2123 has no integrated graphics at all. A discrete GPU is required for the W-2123.

Q: What are the PCIe lane counts for each processor?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2123 provides 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), which is three times the 16 lanes available on the Intel Xeon E-2224G. This makes the W-2123 better suited for expansion-heavy workstation builds.

Q: Which CPU has the larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2123 has 8.25 MB of shared L3 cache, slightly more than the 8 MB shared L3 cache on the Intel Xeon E-2224G. The W-2123 also has a much larger per-core L2 cache at 1 MB per core versus 256 KB per core.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in average benchmark scores?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2224G has an average benchmark score of 2117, while the Intel Xeon W-2123 scores 2079. Both sit at the 46th percentile among all CPUs, but the E-2224G edges out the W-2123 in this aggregate metric.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages within Intel's Xeon lineup. The Intel Xeon E-2224G is built on Coffee Lake-S WS, part of the Xeon E-2200 series, and uses the Coffee Lake architecture. The Intel Xeon W-2123 belongs to the Skylake-W family, part of the Xeon W series, and uses the Skylake architecture. Both are fabricated on Intel's 14 nm process and use the same foundry, but the underlying designs diverge in several important ways.

The die sizes tell a dramatic story. The Xeon W-2123 has a die size of 484 mm², nearly four times larger than the 126 mm² die of the Xeon E-2224G. This larger die accommodates a more expansive platform: the W-2123 supports quad-channel memory with 85.3 GB/s of bandwidth, while the E-2224G is limited to dual-channel memory at 42.7 GB/s. The W-2123 also provides 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, compared to just 16 lanes on the E-2224G.

Threading is another fundamental difference. Both CPUs have 4 physical cores, but the Xeon W-2123 supports 8 threads through Hyper-Threading, while the Xeon E-2224G has 4 threads total with no multi-threading. This directly impacts multi-threaded workload performance, as benchmark results confirm.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The E-2224G has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, with 8 MB of shared L3. The W-2123 matches the L1 cache at 64 KB per core but quadruples the L2 to 1 MB per core, and its shared L3 is slightly larger at 8.25 MB.

The sockets are incompatible: the E-2224G uses Intel Socket 1151, while the W-2123 uses Intel Socket 2066. The E-2224G includes integrated HD Graphics P630, a feature entirely absent from the W-2123. Power and thermal envelopes differ as well, with the E-2224G rated at 71 W TDP versus 120 W for the W-2123. The release dates also differ, with the E-2224G launching in 2019 and the W-2123 in 2017.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head benchmark data shows a clear and consistent winner: the Intel Xeon W-2123 outperforms the Intel Xeon E-2224G in every single benchmark test recorded, across all six comparisons. The margin is remarkably uniform, hovering around 11 percent in each test.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the W-2123 scores 724 against 644 for the E-2224G, a delta of negative 11 percent for the E-2224G. The single-core R15 test shows the W-2123 at 102 versus 90, a delta of negative 11.8 percent. The W-2123's advantage persists in newer Cinebench versions: in R20 multicore, it scores 3019 versus 2687, and in R20 single-core, 425 versus 379. The deltas are negative 11 percent and negative 10.8 percent respectively.

Cinebench R23 results follow the same pattern. The W-2123 posts 7189 in multicore against 6398 for the E-2224G, a delta of negative 11 percent. In single-core R23, the W-2123 scores 1014 versus 903, a delta of negative 10.9 percent.

The consistency of these margins is notable. Across six tests, the performance gap never strays far from 11 percent, suggesting a stable architectural advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk. The multicore tests show the impact of the W-2123's additional threads: even with the same core count, the 8-thread W-2123 consistently outperforms the 4-thread E-2224G by roughly 11 percent in multi-threaded workloads. The single-core tests reveal that the W-2123's advantage is not solely threading-related, as it also wins by about 11 percent in single-threaded tests despite the E-2224G's higher boost clock of 4.70 GHz versus 3.90 GHz.

The E-2224G does not win a single head-to-head benchmark. The wins tally shows 0 for the E-2224G and 6 for the W-2123. The aggregate average benchmark scores tell a slightly different story, however: the E-2224G averages 2117, above the W-2123's 2079, and both CPUs sit at the 46th percentile among all CPUs. The E-2224G's nearest rivals include the Intel Atom C5125 at a delta of negative 0.2 percent, the Intel Core i7-1160G7 at negative 0.3 percent, the Intel Core i5-8500T at positive 0.3 percent, and the Intel Core i5-8259U at positive 0.4 percent. The W-2123's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-9350KF at negative 0.1 percent, the Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 at positive 0.1 percent, the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 at negative 0.3 percent, and the Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 at positive 0.6 percent.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ across nearly every specification category. The Intel Xeon E-2224G has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Intel Xeon W-2123 has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are close: 3.50 GHz for the E-2224G and 3.60 GHz for the W-2123. Boost clocks diverge more sharply, with the E-2224G reaching 4.70 GHz versus 3.90 GHz for the W-2123.

TDP ratings differ substantially: 71 W for the E-2224G and 120 W for the W-2123. The sockets are different, as are the architectures and codenames: Coffee Lake-S WS versus Skylake-W. The process node is identical at 14 nm from Intel, but die sizes are not, at 126 mm² versus 484 mm².

Cache configurations diverge in L2 and L3. Both have 64 KB of L1 per core, but the E-2224G has 256 KB of L2 per core versus 1 MB per core on the W-2123. Shared L3 is 8 MB on the E-2224G and 8.25 MB on the W-2123.

Memory support differs in channel count and bandwidth: dual-channel with 42.7 GB/s for the E-2224G, quad-channel with 85.3 GB/s for the W-2123. Both support DDR4 and ECC memory. PCIe lanes differ significantly: 16 lanes for the E-2224G versus 48 lanes for the W-2123, both Gen 3.

Integrated graphics are present only on the E-2224G, with HD Graphics P630. The W-2123 has none. Market segments are the same, both server and workstation, and both are end-of-life products. Release dates differ: 2019 for the E-2224G and 2017 for the W-2123. Part numbers are SRFAW for the E-2224G and SR3LJ for the W-2123. Neither CPU has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon W-2123 wins in raw compute performance across every recorded benchmark. It takes all six head-to-head tests, with an 11 percent multicore advantage and an 11 percent single-core advantage. The additional threads and larger cache hierarchy contribute to this sweep. The W-2123 is also the clear choice for memory-intensive and expansion-heavy workloads, with quad-channel memory at 85.3 GB/s and 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. Systems that need multiple GPUs, high-bandwidth storage controllers, or dense memory configurations will favor this platform.

The Intel Xeon E-2224G wins in efficiency and platform simplicity. Its 71 W TDP is far lower than the W-2123's 120 W, and it includes integrated HD Graphics P630, eliminating the need for a discrete GPU in basic display scenarios. Its higher boost clock of 4.70 GHz provides a theoretical clock advantage, though benchmark results show the W-2123 still wins in single-core tests. The E-2224G also has a higher average benchmark score of 2117 versus 2079, despite losing every head-to-head comparison. Its smaller die and Socket 1151 platform suggest a lighter overall system footprint, and the dual-channel memory bus is sufficient for lighter workstation tasks.

The aggregate average scores place both CPUs at the 46th percentile, indicating they occupy similar overall performance tiers. The E-2224G's average score of 2117 is slightly above the W-2123's 2079, a reversal of the head-to-head results that reflects differences in the broader benchmark sample.

The Verdict

The Intel Xeon W-2123 is the appropriate choice for users who need maximum compute throughput from a 4-core platform. The data is unambiguous: it wins every single head-to-head benchmark, with margins between 10.8 percent and 11.8 percent. The 8-thread configuration, 1 MB per-core L2 cache, and 8.25 MB L3 cache deliver consistent advantages in both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads. The quad-channel memory bus and 48 PCIe lanes make it suitable for workstation builds that require substantial memory bandwidth and expansion capability.

The Intel Xeon E-2224G is the better option for systems where power efficiency, integrated graphics, and a smaller platform matter more than raw performance. Its 71 W TDP, integrated HD Graphics P630, and Socket 1151 compatibility make it a simpler, lower-power solution. The higher boost clock of 4.70 GHz does not translate into benchmark wins, but the CPU posts a higher average benchmark score overall at 2117. The dual-channel memory and 16 PCIe lanes are adequate for entry-level workstation duties.

For buyers who prioritize benchmark performance above all else, the W-2123 is the clear winner. For buyers who want a lower-power Xeon with integrated graphics and a higher aggregate score, the E-2224G has its own appeal. Both processors are end-of-life products, and both sit at the 46th percentile, so neither offers a dramatic overall performance advantage in the wider CPU landscape. The decision comes down to platform requirements and workload priorities as reflected in the recorded data.