Intel Xeon E-2226G vs Intel Xeon E-2274G Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data delivers a clear verdict: the Intel Xeon E-2226G wins every recorded benchmark against the Intel Xeon E-2274G. Across six Cinebench tests, the E-2226G maintains a consistent performance advantage, with deltas hovering around 11.5% in both single-core and multi-core workloads. The E-2274G records zero wins in this comparison, while the E-2226G takes all six.

Starting with multi-core performance, the E-2226G scores 944 in Cinebench R15 multi-core against 835 for the E-2274G, a difference of 11.5%. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the gap remains identical in percentage terms: 3934 versus 3481, again an 11.5% margin. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows the same pattern, with the E-2226G at 9368 and the E-2274G at 8289, once more an 11.5% lead. The consistency of this delta across all three Cinebench versions indicates a structural advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

Single-core results tell a similar story. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the E-2226G posts 133 versus 117 for the E-2274G, a 12% margin. Cinebench R20 single-core sees the E-2226G at 555 and the E-2274G at 491, an 11.5% advantage. Cinebench R23 single-core follows with 1322 against 1170, again 11.5%. The single-core deltas are nearly identical to the multi-core deltas, suggesting that the E-2226G's advantage is not dependent on thread scaling but rather reflects a per-core performance edge.

The E-2274G does hold a higher boost clock on paper, 4.90 GHz versus 4.70 GHz, yet the recorded benchmarks show the E-2226G winning even in single-core tests. This means the E-2226G's architectural efficiency or cache configuration overcomes the raw clock deficit. The E-2226G also has a lower base clock at 3.40 GHz versus 4.00 GHz, but again, benchmark results favor the six-core part.

For context, the E-2274G's average benchmark score across all recorded tests is 2643, placing it at the 49th percentile of all CPUs in the database. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-5820K at 2642, a 0.1% difference, and the Intel Core i9-8950HK at 2641, also a 0.1% difference. The Intel Core i7-7740X sits slightly above at 2648, a 0.2% gap. The E-2226G, meanwhile, averages 2709 and sits at the 50th percentile. Its nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5650U at 2713, a 0.2% difference, and the Intel Xeon E5-2640 v3 at 2703, also 0.2%. These rival positions confirm that both Xeon parts occupy the same performance tier, but the E-2226G edges ahead.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon E-2226G is the faster processor in every measured workload. If the choice is between these two specific CPUs, the E-2226G delivers consistently higher scores across both single-threaded and multi-threaded Cinebench tests, with margins that repeat at 11.5% or 12% in every case. The E-2274G offers no benchmark win anywhere in the recorded data.

The E-2226G's six physical cores versus the E-2274G's four cores with Hyper-Threading explains part of the multi-core advantage. But the single-core wins are more telling, as they indicate the E-2226G also extracts more performance per core in these tests. The E-2274G's higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz does not translate into higher Cinebench scores, which suggests the E-2226G's larger 12 MB shared L3 cache (versus 8 MB) plays a meaningful role in feeding the cores with data.

For users prioritizing raw benchmark performance, the E-2226G is the clear selection. The database shows zero scenarios where the E-2274G comes out ahead. The E-2274G does have a higher base clock and boost clock, but those specifications do not manifest as wins in any recorded test. The verdict from the data: choose the E-2226G if performance is the sole criterion.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU wins in multi-core Cinebench tests?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2226G wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests. It scores 944 versus 835 in R15, 3934 versus 3481 in R20, and 9368 versus 8289 in R23, each time with an 11.5% advantage over the E-2274G.

Q: Does the E-2274G win any single-core test?

A: No. The E-2226G wins every single-core test as well, posting 133 versus 117 in Cinebench R15, 555 versus 491 in R20, and 1322 versus 1170 in R23. The margins are 12% for R15 and 11.5% for R20 and R23.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The E-2226G has an average benchmark score of 2709, while the E-2274G averages 2643. The E-2226G sits at the 50th percentile of all CPUs, and the E-2274G sits at the 49th percentile.

Q: What are the nearest rivals for each CPU?

A: For the E-2274G, the nearest rivals are the Intel Core i7-5820K at 2642 (0.1% difference), Intel Core i9-8950HK at 2641 (0.1%), Intel Core i7-7740X at 2648 (0.2% higher), and Intel Core i7-1195G7 at 2638 (0.2% lower). For the E-2226G, the nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5650U at 2713 (0.2% higher), Intel Xeon E5-2640 v3 at 2703 (0.2% lower), Intel Core i7-1185G7E at 2703 (0.2% lower), and Intel Xeon D-1577 at 2715 (0.2% higher).

Q: Do both CPUs support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the E-2274G and the E-2226G support ECC memory and share the same memory bus configuration: dual-channel DDR4 with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Are both CPUs from the same generation and socket?

A: Yes. Both are Intel Xeon E-2200 series processors, use the Coffee Lake architecture with the Coffee Lake-S WS codename, and fit the Intel Socket 1151.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in several core specifications. The E-2274G has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the E-2226G has 6 cores and 6 threads. This means the E-2274G relies on Hyper-Threading to reach 8 threads, while the E-2226G runs one thread per physical core.

Clock speeds also differ. The E-2274G has a base clock of 4.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The E-2226G has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The E-2274G holds the clock advantage on paper, but the benchmark data does not reflect this advantage.

Thermal design power is close: 83 watts for the E-2274G and 80 watts for the E-2226G. Both use the same process node at 14 nm and the same foundry, Intel. The die size differs, with the E-2274G at 126 mm² and the E-2226G at 154 mm².

Cache configuration is another differentiator. The E-2274G has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, with 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The E-2226G also has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, but its shared L3 cache is 12 MB, a 50% larger pool.

The launch MSRP differs as well: the E-2274G launched at $328, while the E-2226G launched at $255. Both are end-of-life products from the same release date of May 28, 2019. Neither has an unlocked multiplier, and both carry the integrated HD Graphics P630.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake-S WS codename, and belong to the Xeon E-2200 series generation. Both are built on Intel's 14 nm process node at Intel's foundry. The memory support is identical: dual-channel DDR4 with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth and ECC capability. Both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The core counts create the primary architectural distinction. The E-2274G implements 4 cores with 8 threads, using simultaneous multithreading to double the thread count. The E-2226G uses 6 physical cores with no hyper-threading, giving 6 threads. In workloads that scale with physical cores, the E-2226G has a structural advantage. In workloads that benefit from thread oversubscription, the E-2274G's 8 threads could theoretically help, but the Cinebench results show the E-2226G winning even in multi-core tests.

The cache hierarchy differs in L3 capacity. The E-2274G shares 8 MB of L3 across its four cores, while the E-2226G shares 12 MB across six cores. Per-core L3 allocation works out to 2 MB per core for the E-2274G and 2 MB per core for the E-2226G, but the E-2226G's larger total cache may reduce memory latency in certain access patterns.

The die size difference, 126 mm² versus 154 mm², reflects the additional physical cores and cache on the E-2226G. The process node, foundry, socket, and integrated graphics are all identical. Both CPUs target the server and workstation segment, support ECC memory, and are now end-of-life.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E-2226G wins every recorded benchmark, so the use-case split is straightforward: the E-2226G is the pick for any application where Cinebench-style rendering performance matters. Its six physical cores deliver higher multi-core scores across R15, R20, and R23, and its single-core scores are also higher despite the lower boost clock. For multi-threaded workloads like video rendering, 3D scene generation, or batch processing, the E-2226G's 9368 Cinebench R23 multi-core score versus 8289 for the E-2274G represents a meaningful productivity gain.

For single-threaded workloads, the E-2226G also comes out ahead, scoring 1322 in Cinebench R23 single-core versus 1170 for the E-2274G. This makes the E-2226G the better choice even for lightly threaded applications, which contradicts what one might expect from the E-2274G's higher 4.90 GHz boost clock. The data shows that clock speed alone does not determine performance here.

The E-2274G does have one structural advantage: 8 threads versus 6. In theory, a workload that spawns exactly 8 threads and distributes them evenly could use the E-2274G's additional threads. However, no recorded benchmark demonstrates this benefit. The E-2274G also has a higher base clock at 4.00 GHz, which could matter in sustained all-core loads where boost clocks drop, but again, the Cinebench results do not show this translating into a win.

The E-2226G's larger 12 MB L3 cache and six physical cores make it the superior choice for both multi-threaded and single-threaded applications according to the database. The E-2274G's only advantages are specifications on paper: faster clocks and more threads, neither of which produces a benchmark victory. For any user choosing between these two specific CPUs, the recorded data points decisively to the E-2226G.