CPU Comparison

The Intel Xeon E5-1680 v4 and the Intel Xeon E-2246G occupy nearly identical positions in the aggregate performance hierarchy, with average benchmark scores of 3494 and 3492, respectively. Both processors land at the 55th percentile among all CPUs, and the delta between their average scores is a negligible 0.1%. Yet, a breakdown of individual Cinebench tests reveals a consistent, if narrow, advantage for the older Broadwell-EP part across every workload measured.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The E5-1680 v4 wins all six head-to-head comparisons in the dataset, though the margins are uniformly slim. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the E5-1680 v4 scores 1217 against the E-2246G’s 1181, a 3% lead. The single-core result in the same test shows the same 3% gap, with scores of 171 and 166. This pattern persists across newer Cinebench versions: in R20 multi-core, the E5-1680 v4 posts 5073 versus 4922, a 3.1% advantage, and in R20 single-core it leads 716 to 694, a 3.2% margin. The R23 results mirror this exactly, 12080 to 11720 in multi-core (3.1% delta) and 1705 to 1654 in single-core (3.1% delta).

The fact that the E5-1680 v4 wins by roughly the same percentage in both single-threaded and multi-threaded tests is notable. The E-2246G has a higher base clock (3.60 GHz) and boost clock (4.80 GHz) compared to the E5-1680 v4’s 3.40 GHz base and 4.00 GHz boost, yet the older chip still manages a slight edge in single-core performance. This suggests that the architectural efficiency of the Broadwell core, despite its lower clocks, offsets the frequency disadvantage. In multi-core workloads, the E5-1680 v4’s two additional cores (8 vs 6) and four additional threads (16 vs 12) provide the expected scaling advantage, but the 3% improvement is smaller than the core count difference might imply, indicating that the E-2246G’s higher per-core throughput narrows the gap.

Neither processor has a decisive performance victory here. The data shows a consistent 3% lead for the E5-1680 v4 across all six tests, but that margin is within the range of run-to-run variance for many workloads. The E-2246G’s only additional benchmark data point, Geekbench, shows a multi-core score of 5988 and a single-core score of 1613, but no comparable Geekbench result exists for the E5-1680 v4 in this dataset, so no direct head-to-head can be drawn.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs represent different design philosophies and platform generations. The E5-1680 v4 is built on the Broadwell-EP architecture, fabricated on Intel’s 14 nm process, with a die size of 246 mm² and 3,400 million transistors. It uses the Intel Socket 2011-3 platform and supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with a theoretical bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. The E-2246G, in contrast, is a Coffee Lake-S WS part, also on a 14 nm process, but with a smaller 154 mm² die and no transistor count listed. It uses the Intel Socket 1151 platform and supports only dual-channel DDR4, halving the memory bandwidth to 42.7 GB/s.

Cache configurations differ significantly. Both share the same per-core L1 (64 KB) and L2 (256 KB) sizes, but the E5-1680 v4 offers 20 MB of shared L3 cache, while the E-2246G provides 12 MB. This 8 MB difference in last-level cache could benefit the E5-1680 v4 in workloads with larger working sets, though the benchmark data does not isolate cache-sensitive performance.

PCIe connectivity also diverges. The E5-1680 v4 provides 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the E-2246G offers only 16 lanes. This makes the E5-1680 v4 more suitable for multi-GPU or high-bandwidth I/O configurations, though the E-2246G compensates with integrated graphics, the HD Graphics P630, which the E5-1680 v4 lacks entirely. Both processors support ECC memory, a key feature for workstation and server reliability.

Power characteristics are starkly different. The E5-1680 v4 has a TDP of 140 W, while the E-2246G is rated at just 80 W. This 60 W difference reflects the E5-1680 v4’s larger core count and higher transistor budget, but also means the E-2246G is far easier to cool and more power-efficient per unit of performance. The E5-1680 v4 was released on 2016-06-19, while the E-2246G came to market on 2019-05-28, a gap of roughly three years. Both are now end-of-life products.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1680 v4 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Xeon E-2246G has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: How much faster is the E5-1680 v4 in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The E5-1680 v4 scores 12080 versus 11720 for the E-2246G, a 3.1% advantage.

Q: Does the E-2246G have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the E-2246G includes HD Graphics P630. The E5-1680 v4 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference between the two?

A: The E5-1680 v4 supports quad-channel DDR4 with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth, while the E-2246G uses dual-channel DDR4 with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The E-2246G boosts to 4.80 GHz, while the E5-1680 v4 boosts to 4.00 GHz.

Q: How do their PCIe lane counts compare?

A: The E5-1680 v4 provides 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, whereas the E-2246G provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes.

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a clear, if narrow, winner. The Intel Xeon E5-1680 v4 outperforms the Intel Xeon E-2246G in every Cinebench test recorded, with margins ranging from 3.0% to 3.2%. For users prioritizing raw compute throughput, whether single-threaded or multi-threaded, the E5-1680 v4 is the superior choice based on these results. Its 8-core, 16-thread configuration, combined with 20 MB of L3 cache and quad-channel memory support, provides a more robust foundation for heavily threaded workloads and memory-intensive applications.

However, the E-2246G is not without its own merits. Its 80 W TDP makes it substantially more power-efficient than the 140 W E5-1680 v4. It also offers integrated graphics, which can be a critical feature for systems that require a display output without a discrete GPU. The dual-channel memory bus and 16 PCIe lanes are sufficient for many workstation tasks, and the higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz may appeal to users who prioritize lightly threaded responsiveness, even though the benchmark data shows the E5-1680 v4 still edges ahead in single-core tests.

The choice between these two CPUs depends on the platform and workload requirements. The E5-1680 v4 is the better pick for compute-heavy applications that can leverage its extra cores, larger cache, and higher memory bandwidth. The E-2246G is the better pick for power-constrained environments, systems needing integrated graphics, or users already committed to the Socket 1151 platform. The performance delta is small enough that platform fit and power budgets may legitimately outweigh the raw benchmark lead of the E5-1680 v4.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E5-1680 v4 | Intel Xeon E-2246G |

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

| Cores | 8 | 6 |

| Threads | 16 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 3.40 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.00 GHz | 4.80 GHz |

| TDP | 140 W | 80 W |

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

| Architecture | Broadwell | Coffee Lake |

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

| Die Size | 246 mm² | 154 mm² |

| Transistors | 3,400 million | Not listed |

| L3 Cache | 20 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 76.8 GB/s | 42.7 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 40 Lanes | Gen 3, 16 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | None | HD Graphics P630 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Release Date | 2016-06-19 | 2019-05-28 |

| Launch MSRP | $1723 | $311 |

| Part Number | SR2P8 | SRF7G |