CPU Comparison
Intel Xeon E-2226GE
Xeon E-2234
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Xeon E-2226GE vs Intel Xeon E-2234
Both the Intel Xeon E-2234 and the Intel Xeon E-2226GE are end-of-life Coffee Lake-S WS server/workstation processors on the Intel Socket 1151 platform, and the benchmark data shows them locked in an extraordinarily tight contest. The E-2234 wins all six head-to-head Cinebench comparisons, yet the margin is never more than 0.4%, and their average benchmark scores (2374 vs. 2365) differ by less than a single percent. The real differentiators are structural: the E-2234 offers 4 cores with 8 threads and a 4.80 GHz boost, while the E-2226GE offers 6 cores with 6 threads, a 4.60 GHz boost, and a larger 12 MB L3 cache. This is a classic choice between higher per-core throughput and higher raw core count, with the data indicating the hyper-threaded quad-core edges out the six-core part in threaded rendering workloads.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?
A: The Intel Xeon E-2234 has an average benchmark score of 2374, while the Intel Xeon E-2226GE scores 2365. This places the E-2234 0.4% ahead of the E-2226GE in the nearestRivals comparison.
Q: How do the two CPUs compare in multi-core Cinebench R23?
A: The E-2234 scores 8210 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, beating the E-2226GE's 8177 by a 0.4% margin. Despite having two fewer physical cores, the E-2234's hyper-threading provides enough additional throughput to edge out the six-core part.
Q: Is there any benchmark where the E-2226GE wins?
A: No. The head-to-head benchmark table shows the E-2234 winning all six tests (Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core). The E-2226GE records zero wins, though all margins are within 0.4%.
Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?
A: The E-2234 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the E-2226GE has 6 cores and 6 threads. The E-2226GE has more physical cores, but the E-2234 has more total threads.
Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?
A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon E-2234 and the Intel Xeon E-2226GE support ECC memory, and both use dual-channel DDR4 with a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s.
Q: What is the difference in launch MSRP?
A: The Intel Xeon E-2234 has a launch MSRP of $250, and the Intel Xeon E-2226GE has a launch MSRP of $286. Both are end-of-life products from the Xeon E-2200 series.
Architecture Differences
Both processors share the same fundamental architecture: Coffee Lake-S WS on a 14 nm Intel process, built for the Intel Socket 1151 platform. They belong to the same Xeon E-2200 series generation and use the same UHD Graphics P630 integrated graphics. The die size differs, with the E-2234 measuring 126 mm² and the E-2226GE measuring 154 mm², reflecting the latter's additional physical cores.
The core configuration is the primary architectural divergence. The E-2234 packs 4 cores with 8 threads via Hyper-Threading, while the E-2226GE offers 6 physical cores but only 6 threads (no Hyper-Threading). This means the E-2226GE has 50% more physical cores, but the E-2234 has 33% more threads. The cache hierarchy reflects this: both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, but the L3 cache is 8 MB shared on the E-2234 versus 12 MB shared on the E-2226GE. The extra 4 MB of L3 on the E-2226GE is a direct consequence of the additional cores.
Clock speeds also differ. The E-2234 runs at a 3.60 GHz base clock and boosts to 4.80 GHz, while the E-2226GE runs at 3.40 GHz base and 4.60 GHz boost. The E-2234's 200 MHz advantage at both base and boost gives it a per-core clock speed edge. Thermal design power scales accordingly: the E-2234 is rated at 71 W TDP, while the E-2226GE consumes 80 W TDP due to its extra cores. Both are locked multipliers (not unlocked) and use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The benchmark data paints a picture of near-identical performance, with the E-2234 taking every single test by the narrowest of margins. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the E-2234 scores 827 against the E-2226GE's 824, a 0.4% difference. The single-core R15 result is a perfect tie at 116 for both processors.
Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern repeats. The E-2234 posts 3448 in multi-core versus 3434 for the E-2226GE (0.4% delta), and 486 versus 484 in single-core (also 0.4%). The R23 results show the same consistency: the E-2234 scores 8210 multi-core and 1159 single-core, while the E-2226GE scores 8177 and 1154, respectively. Every multi-core and single-core test in the R23 suite shows a 0.4% advantage for the E-2234.
What is remarkable is how closely these parts track each other despite different core counts. The E-2226GE's two extra physical cores are almost exactly offset by the E-2234's higher clocks and Hyper-Threading. In the nearestRivals data, the E-2234 also shows a 0.4% delta over the E-2226GE in average score, confirming the head-to-head results. The E-2226GE's nearest rival list shows the E-2234 at -0.4% delta, meaning the E-2226GE trails the E-2234 by that margin.
Specification Differences
The specification tables reveal several key differences between the two processors, beyond the core count and cache already discussed. The base clock is 3.60 GHz on the E-2234 versus 3.40 GHz on the E-2226GE. Boost clocks are 4.80 GHz and 4.60 GHz, respectively. TDP is 71 W for the E-2234 and 80 W for the E-2226GE, a 9 W difference that favors the quad-core part.
Die size is another differentiator: 126 mm² for the E-2234 versus 154 mm² for the E-2226GE. The L3 cache is 8 MB shared on the E-2234 and 12 MB shared on the E-2226GE. Both support dual-channel DDR4 memory with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth and ECC memory. Both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes and have UHD Graphics P630 integrated graphics. The part numbers are SRFAX for the E-2234 and SRGQW for the E-2226GE. Release dates differ slightly, with the E-2234 launching on 2019-05-28 and the E-2226GE on 2019-06-10.
The launch MSRP also differs: $250 for the E-2234 and $286 for the E-2226GE, a $36 difference that reflects the E-2226GE's larger die and additional cores. Both processors have a percentile ranking of 48 among all CPUs, placing them in the same performance tier.
Where Each One Wins
The Intel Xeon E-2234 wins in every benchmark category recorded: Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, in both single-core and multi-core tests. Its advantages are consistent but small, ranging from 0.4% to a tie in R15 single-core. The higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz versus 4.60 GHz gives it a slight edge in single-threaded tasks, while Hyper-Threading (8 threads vs. 6) helps it stay ahead in multi-threaded rendering workloads despite having fewer physical cores. The lower TDP of 71 W versus 80 W also makes it the more power-efficient choice on paper.
The Intel Xeon E-2226GE wins no benchmark tests in the head-to-head data, but its strengths lie in its physical core count and cache size. With 6 cores and 12 MB of L3 cache, it is structurally better suited for workloads that scale with physical cores rather than threads, and for data sets that benefit from a larger cache footprint. Its 4.60 GHz boost clock is still high, and the 80 W TDP is reasonable for a six-core part. In scenarios where the E-2234's Hyper-Threading is less effective, such as certain real-time or latency-sensitive workloads, the E-2226GE's additional physical cores could prove advantageous, though the benchmark data does not capture such a win.
The Verdict
Based strictly on the benchmark data, the Intel Xeon E-2234 is the superior processor. It wins all six head-to-head Cinebench comparisons, has a higher average benchmark score (2374 vs. 2365), and achieves these results with a lower TDP (71 W vs. 80 W) and a lower launch MSRP ($250 vs. $286). The data shows a consistent 0.4% advantage across multi-core tests, which is small but uniform, and a tie in R15 single-core with a 0.4% edge in R20 and R23 single-core tests.
The E-2226GE is not without merit, its 6 cores and 12 MB L3 cache provide a structural foundation that could be useful in specific workloads, but the evidence from Cinebench does not show any scenario where it outperforms the E-2234. For buyers choosing between these two end-of-life processors today, the E-2234 offers the better benchmark profile at a lower launch price and lower power draw. The E-2226GE makes sense only if the specific application is known to favor physical cores over threads and can utilize the larger 12 MB cache, as the benchmark data does not demonstrate a performance win for the six-core part in the tested scenarios.