Intel Xeon E-2234 vs Intel Xeon E5-2629 v3 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results are unusually one-sided. Across all six recorded Cinebench tests, the Intel Xeon E-2234 wins outright, with no test favoring the Intel Xeon E5-2629 v3. The margin is consistent, ranging from 3.6% to 4.1%. This is not a case of one chip dominating in threaded workloads and the other in single-thread; the E-2234 simply leads everywhere the data measures.

The largest single advantage appears in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the E-2234 scores 486 against 467 for the E5-2629 v3, a 4.1% gap. The smallest margin is in Cinebench R15 single-core, 116 versus 112, a 3.6% difference. All multi-core tests sit at exactly 4% in favor of the E-2234. That consistency matters: it suggests the advantage is structural, not workload-specific.

For a builder choosing between these two for a single-threaded task, such as lightly threaded database queries or legacy application workflows, the E-2234 is the clear pick. For heavily threaded rendering or simulation workloads, the E5-2629 v3 has double the cores and threads, yet the recorded data still shows it trailing. The E-2234's 4-core, 8-thread configuration beats the 8-core, 16-thread E5-2629 v3 in every multi-core Cinebench run. That is a surprising outcome given the core count difference, and it points directly to clock speed and per-core efficiency as the deciding factors.

Architecture Differences

These two processors come from different eras of Intel's server lineup, and the architectural gap explains most of the benchmark delta. The E-2234 is part of the Xeon E-2200 series, built on Coffee Lake-S WS, a 14 nm process with a die size of 126 mm². The E5-2629 v3 belongs to the Haswell-EP generation, using a 22 nm process with a substantially larger 356 mm² die and 2,600 million transistors.

The core configurations differ sharply. The E-2234 runs 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The E5-2629 v3 offers 8 cores and 16 threads, but its base clock sits at 2.40 GHz and boost at 3.20 GHz. That is a 1.20 GHz gap at base and a 1.60 GHz gap at boost, which more than compensates for the E5's extra cores in the measured workloads.

Cache layouts also diverge. Both use 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, but the L3 cache is a major differentiator: 8 MB shared on the E-2234 versus 20 MB shared on the E5-2629 v3. The larger L3 on the E5 is a legacy of its eight-core design, but the E-2234's smaller cache is paired with much higher clocks.

Memory architecture is a key platform difference. The E-2234 supports DDR4 only, over a dual-channel bus, with a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The E5-2629 v3 supports both DDR3 and DDR4, across a quad-channel bus, with a memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. The E5 has a clear advantage in raw memory throughput. PCIe connectivity also favors the E5: 40 lanes (CPU only) versus 16 lanes on the E-2234, both Gen 3.

The E-2234 includes integrated graphics, UHD Graphics P630, while the E5-2629 v3 has no integrated graphics at all. Both support ECC memory, which is expected for server parts. The E-2234 uses Intel Socket 1151, while the E5-2629 v3 requires Intel Socket 2011-3. The TDPs reflect the generational shift: 71 W for the E-2234 versus 85 W for the E5-2629 v3. The E-2234 delivers higher performance with a lower thermal envelope.

The release dates show the gap between them: the E5-2629 v3 launched in September 2014, while the E-2234 arrived in May 2019. Both are end-of-life production status. The E-2234 has a launch MSRP of $250; the E5-2629 v3 has no launch MSRP recorded in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2234 wins every single-core benchmark. In Cinebench R15, it scores 116 against 112, a 3.6% lead. In R20, it scores 486 versus 467, a 4.1% lead. In R23, it scores 1159 versus 1114, a 4% lead.

Q: Does the 8-core E5-2629 v3 beat the 4-core E-2234 in multi-threaded tests?

A: No. Despite having twice the cores and threads, the E5-2629 v3 loses all three multi-core tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the E-2234 scores 827 against 795. In R20, it scores 3448 versus 3315. In R23, it scores 8210 versus 7893. Each of those is a 4% win for the E-2234.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The E-2234 has an average benchmark score of 2374, placing it in the 48th percentile of all CPUs. The E5-2629 v3 has an average score of 2283, placing it in the 47th percentile. The E-2234's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E-2226GE at 2365 (0.4% behind) and the Intel Core i5-9600 at 2354 (0.8% behind). The E5-2629 v3's nearest rival is the Intel Xeon D-1557 at 2282, essentially tied at 0% delta.

Q: Which processor supports more memory channels and bandwidth?

A: The E5-2629 v3 supports quad-channel memory with a bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s and accepts both DDR3 and DDR4. The E-2234 uses dual-channel memory with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s and supports DDR4 only.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both support ECC memory. This makes either suitable for server or workstation use where error correction is required.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the E-2234 has integrated graphics, specifically UHD Graphics P630. The E5-2629 v3 has no integrated graphics, so a discrete GPU is mandatory for any display output.

Q: What are the socket requirements for each?

A: The E-2234 uses Intel Socket 1151, while the E5-2629 v3 uses Intel Socket 2011-3. They are not interchangeable, and the platform choice will be dictated by the motherboard.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E-2234 | Intel Xeon E5-2629 v3 |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 4 | 8 |

| Threads | 8 | 16 |

| Base clock | 3.60 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.80 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| TDP | 71 W | 85 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | Intel Socket 2011-3 |

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Haswell |

| Codename | Coffee Lake-S WS | Haswell-EP |

| Process node | 14 nm | 22 nm |

| Die size | 126 mm² | 356 mm² |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 2,600 million |

| L3 cache | 8 MB (shared) | 20 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR4 | DDR3, DDR4 |

| Memory bus | Dual-channel | Quad-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 42.7 GB/s | 59.7 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 40 lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics P630 | None |

| Release date | May 2019 | September 2014 |

| Launch MSRP | $250 | Not recorded |

| Part number | SRFAX | SR1XY |

| Percentile vs all CPUs | 48 | 47 |

| Average benchmark score | 2374 | 2283 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are a clean sweep for the E-2234. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the E-2234 posts 827 versus 795 for the E5-2629 v3, a 4% win. The single-core run in the same suite shows 116 against 112, a 3.6% margin. This is the smallest gap recorded between the two, but it is still a clear loss for the E5.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds. Multi-core scores come in at 3448 for the E-2234 and 3315 for the E5-2629 v3, another 4% delta. Single-core shows 486 versus 467, which is the largest percentage gap of any test at 4.1%. The E-2234's high boost clock of 4.80 GHz is the likely driver here, as single-threaded Cinebench scales almost entirely with clock speed and IPC.

Cinebench R23 repeats the same story. Multi-core: 8210 for the E-2234, 7893 for the E5-2629 v3, a 4% delta. Single-core: 1159 versus 1114, again 4%. The consistency across all three Cinebench versions is notable. Whether the workload is the older R15 or the newer R23, the relative performance gap between these two chips does not move much.

The interesting point is not that the E-2234 wins, but that it wins multi-core tests despite having half the cores. The E5-2629 v3's 8 cores and 16 threads should theoretically give it an edge in heavily parallel workloads, but its 2.40 GHz base clock and 3.20 GHz boost clock hold it back. The E-2234's 4.80 GHz boost clock, combined with the newer Coffee Lake architecture, closes the core-count gap entirely in these benchmarks.

The average benchmark score reinforces this. The E-2234 sits at 2374, which places it 0.4% above the Intel Xeon E-2226GE and 0.6% above the AMD Ryzen 5 2500X. The E5-2629 v3 sits at 2283, essentially tied with the Intel Xeon D-1557 at 0% delta. The E-2234's nearest rivals are all newer, lower-core parts, while the E5-2629 v3's nearest rivals include mobile and desktop chips like the Intel Core i5-10400H and Intel Core i7-8809G, which shows how far the Haswell part has fallen relative to the field.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous. The Intel Xeon E-2234 outperforms the Intel Xeon E5-2629 v3 in every benchmark recorded, and it does so with a lower TDP, a smaller die, and a much newer platform. If your workload is dominated by Cinebench-style rendering or any similarly threaded application, the E-2234 delivers equal or better results than the E5-2629 v3 despite the E5's core advantage.

Who should pick the E-2234? Anyone building a single-socket workstation or server on Socket 1151 who needs high clock speeds, integrated graphics for basic display output, and ECC memory support. The 4.80 GHz boost clock makes it particularly well suited for lightly threaded tasks, and the benchmark data shows it holds its own even in multi-core workloads.

Who should pick the E5-2629 v3? The recorded data does not support choosing it over the E-2234 on raw performance grounds. However, the E5-2629 v3 offers quad-channel memory with 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth and 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, compared to the E-2234's dual-channel 42.7 GB/s and 16 lanes. If your application is memory-bandwidth-bound or requires extensive PCIe expansion, the E5-2629 v3's platform advantages may matter more than its slower clock speeds. It also supports DDR3 memory, which could be relevant for someone reusing existing DDR3 modules.

But for pure compute performance, the verdict is straightforward. The E-2234 wins all six head-to-head benchmarks, has a higher average score (2374 versus 2283), and does so with a 71 W TDP versus 85 W. The E5-2629 v3 is a legacy part from 2014, and the benchmark results show its age. The E-2234 is the better processor by every measured metric in this comparison.