Intel Xeon E-2246G vs Intel Xeon W-1290TE Comparison

The Intel Xeon W-1290TE and Intel Xeon E-2246G are both server/workstation processors from Intel, but they target different segments of the market. The W-1290TE is a 10-core Comet Lake part with a 35W TDP, while the E-2246G is a 6-core Coffee Lake part with an 80W TDP. Benchmark results show a consistent, though modest, performance edge for the W-1290TE across all tested Cinebench workloads, despite the E-2246G having a higher base and boost clock.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a clean sweep for the Intel Xeon W-1290TE, winning all six benchmark comparisons. The margins are uniform, hovering just above 4% across the board. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the W-1290TE scores 1230 against the E-2246G’s 1181, a 4.1% lead. The single-core R15 test shows a similar pattern, with 173 versus 166, a 4.2% advantage for the W-1290TE.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the multicore result is 5129 for the W-1290TE versus 4922 for the E-2246G, a 4.2% delta. The single-core R20 test follows the same trend: 724 against 694, a 4.3% edge. The newest benchmark in the set, Cinebench R23, reinforces this narrative. The W-1290TE posts 12213 in multicore and 1724 in single-core, while the E-2246G manages 11720 and 1654 respectively. Both deltas stand at 4.2%.

The consistency of these deltas is notable. Every single-core and multicore test lands between 4.1% and 4.3%. This suggests the performance gap is structural, not workload-dependent. The W-1290TE’s advantage is small but reliable. It is not a dramatic victory, but it is an unambiguous one. The E-2246G never takes the lead in any test, so the W-1290TE is the clear benchmark winner with a 6-0 record in wins.

It is worth putting these scores in context with the broader competitive field. The W-1290TE’s average benchmark score is 3532, placing it at the 55th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rival is the Intel Core i3-12300, which has an identical average score of 3532, a 0% delta. The Intel Core i5-10600K is also a near-perfect match at 3533, a 0% delta. The E-2246G, with an average score of 3492, is also at the 55th percentile. Its closest competitor is the Intel Xeon E5-1680 v4 at 3494, a 0% delta. Both processors sit in the same performance tier, but the W-1290TE has a slight statistical edge in average score.

The Verdict

From a pure performance standpoint, the data is decisive. The Intel Xeon W-1290TE is the faster processor in every benchmark conducted. It wins all six head-to-head tests and holds a higher average benchmark score (3532 versus 3492). Any workload that scales with Cinebench scores will see a roughly 4% improvement with the W-1290TE. This is a small but consistent gain.

The decision, however, is not solely about raw speed. The E-2246G has a significantly higher boost clock (4.80 GHz versus 4.50 GHz) and a higher base clock (3.60 GHz versus 1.80 GHz). Yet, the benchmark results show the W-1290TE still wins. This indicates that the extra cores and threads on the W-1290TE (10 cores/20 threads versus 6 cores/12 threads) more than compensate for its lower clock speeds, even in single-threaded tests.

For a buyer whose sole priority is maximum benchmark performance, the W-1290TE is the clear choice. It delivers better scores across the board. For a buyer who is constrained by platform compatibility, the E-2246G might be the necessary choice, as it uses Intel Socket 1151 while the W-1290TE uses Intel Socket 1200. The E-2246G also has a lower launch MSRP of $311, which is worth noting as a one-time fact.

The data shows that the E-2246G is a competent processor, but it is outclassed. Its average score of 3492 is only 1.1% lower than the W-1290TE’s 3532. It is not a poor performer. However, it is an older, end-of-life part (production status: End-of-life) that cannot match the newer, active W-1290TE in any tested metric. The verdict is straightforward: the W-1290TE is the superior processor for benchmark-driven workloads.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on different microarchitectures. The W-1290TE uses the Comet Lake architecture, while the E-2246G uses the Coffee Lake architecture. Both are manufactured on Intel’s 14 nm process node, so the transistor size is identical. However, the die size differs significantly. The W-1290TE has a die size of 206 mm², whereas the E-2246G has a smaller die at 154 mm². This larger die on the W-1290TE accommodates more cores and cache.

The core and thread counts are a major architectural divergence. The W-1290TE has 10 cores and 20 threads. The E-2246G has 6 cores and 12 threads. This is a 66.7% advantage in core count for the W-1290TE, which directly explains its multicore performance lead. The L3 cache also scales with these architectures. The W-1290TE has 20 MB of shared L3 cache, while the E-2246G has 12 MB. Both have the same L1 cache (64 KB per core) and L2 cache (256 KB per core).

The integrated graphics differ. The W-1290TE includes Intel UHD Graphics P630, while the E-2246G features HD Graphics P630. Both are integrated GPU solutions, but they are not identical. The memory support is the same standard (DDR4), but the memory bandwidth is higher on the W-1290TE at 46.9 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s on the E-2246G. The PCIe configuration is the same on both: Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

The socket is a critical architectural difference. The W-1290TE uses Intel Socket 1200, while the E-2246G uses Intel Socket 1151. This means they are not interchangeable in a motherboard. The generation naming also differs: the W-1290TE is listed as Xeon (Comet Lake), while the E-2246G is Xeon E (Coffee Lake). The production status also differentiates them; the W-1290TE is Active, while the E-2246G is End-of-life.

Specification Differences

The specification table shows clear differences in several key fields. The core count is the most obvious: 10 cores for the W-1290TE versus 6 cores for the E-2246G. Threads follow suit, with 20 on the W-1290TE and 12 on the E-2246G. The base clock is drastically different: 1800 MHz on the W-1290TE versus 3600 MHz on the E-2246G. The boost clock is also different, with the E-2246G reaching 4800 MHz versus 4500 MHz on the W-1290TE.

The TDP is another major differentiator. The W-1290TE is rated at 35W, while the E-2246G is rated at 80W. This makes the W-1290TE a much more power-efficient part on paper, despite its higher core count. The socket is different, as noted: Socket 1200 versus Socket 1151. The L3 cache is 20 MB on the W-1290TE versus 12 MB on the E-2246G. Memory bandwidth is 46.9 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s.

The integrated graphics model is different: UHD Graphics P630 on the W-1290TE versus HD Graphics P630 on the E-2246G. The release dates are also different, with the W-1290TE launching on 2020-05-12 and the E-2246G launching earlier on 2019-05-28. The launch MSRP differs as well, with the W-1290TE at $552 and the E-2246G at $311. The part numbers are unique: SRJFH for the W-1290TE and SRF7G for the E-2246G. The series field is populated only for the E-2246G (Xeon E-2200 series), while the W-1290TE has no series listed.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Xeon W-1290TE has 10 cores and 20 threads. The Intel Xeon E-2246G has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What is the performance difference in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The W-1290TE scores 12213, while the E-2246G scores 11720. This gives the W-1290TE a 4.2% lead in that test.

Q: Does the E-2246G win any benchmark?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows the W-1290TE wins all 6 tests. The E-2246G has 0 wins.

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: The W-1290TE has a TDP of 35W. The E-2246G has a TDP of 80W.

Q: Are these processors compatible with the same motherboard socket?

A: No. The W-1290TE uses Intel Socket 1200, while the E-2246G uses Intel Socket 1151.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The W-1290TE has an average benchmark score of 3532, which is higher than the E-2246G’s average score of 3492.