Intel Xeon E-2274G vs Intel Xeon E5-2640 v3 Comparison

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon E5-2640 v3 wins every single head-to-head comparison in the database, despite being the older, higher-core-count part. The Intel Xeon E-2274G, with its higher clock speeds, does not translate that advantage into any multi-threaded or single-threaded victory in the recorded Cinebench tests. The E5-2640 v3 holds a consistent performance lead of approximately 12.8% across the board, making it the clear choice for raw compute throughput.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is the uniformity of the victory. Across all six recorded Cinebench benchmarks, the Intel Xeon E5-2640 v3 outperforms the Intel Xeon E-2274G. In the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the E5-2640 v3 scores 942 against the E-2274G's 835, a 12.8% advantage. This pattern repeats almost identically in the single-core R15 test, where the E5-2640 v3 scores 132 versus 117, again a 12.8% lead. This is particularly notable because the E-2274G has a significantly higher base clock of 4.00 GHz and boost clock of 4.90 GHz, compared to the E5-2640 v3's 2.60 GHz and 3.40 GHz. The data shows that the older Haswell architecture's sheer core count and larger cache compensate for the clock speed deficit.

The trend continues in newer benchmark versions. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the E5-2640 v3 scores 3926, while the E-2274G manages 3481, a 12.8% difference. The single-core R20 result shows the E5-2640 v3 at 553 points against 491 for the E-2274G, a 12.6% margin. Finally, in the Cinebench R23 tests, the E5-2640 v3 wins multi-core with 9348 points versus 8289 (12.8% ahead) and single-core with 1319 points versus 1170 (12.7% ahead). The data indicates that the E5-2640 v3 does not just win; it wins by a nearly identical margin in every test, suggesting a fundamental architectural performance ceiling rather than a workload-specific advantage.

The database also includes Geekbench results for the E-2274G, but no corresponding results for the E5-2640 v3, so a direct comparison cannot be made there. However, the Cinebench results are comprehensive and consistent. The E5-2640 v3's average benchmark score of 2703 is slightly higher than the E-2274G's 2643, reinforcing the head-to-head results. The E5-2640 v3 sits at the 50th percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the E-2274G sits at the 49th percentile, placing them in a similar overall performance tier, but the head-to-head data shows a clear winner within that tier.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent different design philosophies and eras. The Intel Xeon E5-2640 v3 is built on the Haswell architecture (codename Haswell-EP) using a 22 nm process node, with a die size of 356 mm² and 2,600 million transistors. It features 8 cores and 16 threads, with a shared L3 cache of 20 MB. The Intel Xeon E-2274G is a Coffee Lake-S WS part, built on a 14 nm node with a much smaller die size of 126 mm². It offers only 4 cores and 8 threads, with a shared L3 cache of 8 MB. This core count difference is the primary driver of the multi-core performance gap. The E5-2640 v3 has twice the physical cores and threads, allowing it to handle more parallel work.

The memory subsystems also differ substantially. The E5-2640 v3 supports a quad-channel DDR4 memory bus with a theoretical bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. The E-2274G uses a dual-channel configuration, capping bandwidth at 42.7 GB/s. This 17 GB/s difference gives the E5-2640 v3 a significant advantage in memory-intensive workloads, although the benchmark data does not explicitly test this. The PCIe connectivity also differs: the E5-2640 v3 provides 40 CPU lanes of PCIe Gen 3, while the E-2274G offers only 16 lanes. This makes the E5-2640 v3 more suitable for systems with multiple GPUs or high-speed expansion cards.

Feature-wise, the E-2274G includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics P630), while the E5-2640 v3 has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for display output. Both processors support ECC memory, which is a requirement for server and workstation reliability. The E-2274G is a newer part, released in 2019, while the E5-2640 v3 dates back to 2014. Both are now marked as end-of-life. The E5-2640 v3 uses the Intel Socket 2011-3, while the E-2274G uses the more common Intel Socket 1151. The E-2274G has a lower TDP of 83 watts compared to the E5-2640 v3's 90 watts, but this difference is minor in the context of server platforms.

The Verdict

From the recorded benchmark data, the Intel Xeon E5-2640 v3 is the superior processor. It wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, with a consistent 12.8% margin in both single-core and multi-core workloads. The E-2274G offers no benchmark win in any category. The E5-2640 v3's higher core count (8 versus 4) and larger L3 cache (20 MB versus 8 MB) are the likely reasons for its dominance, even when facing the E-2274G's much higher clock speeds. The E5-2640 v3 also provides a wider memory bus (quad-channel versus dual-channel) and more PCIe lanes (40 versus 16), making it the more capable platform for server and workstation builds.

The E-2274G's only advantages are its newer architecture, lower TDP, integrated graphics, and smaller physical footprint. However, the benchmark data does not show any performance benefit from these features. For a user prioritizing raw compute performance as measured by Cinebench, the E5-2640 v3 is the clear choice. The data suggests that the E5-2640 v3's additional cores and cache are more impactful than the E-2274G's clock speed and architectural refresh. The E-2274G may be a better fit for a system requiring integrated graphics or a lower power draw, but for pure CPU performance, the older part wins decisively.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2640 v3 scores 1319, while the Intel Xeon E-2274G scores 1170. The E5-2640 v3 is 12.7% faster in this test.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon E-2274G win any of the head-to-head benchmarks?

A: No. The database records 6 wins for the Intel Xeon E5-2640 v3 and 0 wins for the Intel Xeon E-2274G across all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests.

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

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2640 v3 supports quad-channel memory with a bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s, while the Intel Xeon E-2274G uses dual-channel memory with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s.

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2640 v3 has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Xeon E-2274G has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Xeon E-2274G has integrated graphics (HD Graphics P630). The Intel Xeon E5-2640 v3 does not include any integrated GPU.

Q: What is the difference in their average benchmark scores?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2640 v3 has an average benchmark score of 2703, while the Intel Xeon E-2274G has an average score of 2643. The E5-2640 v3 is slightly ahead.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E5-2640 v3 wins in all measured performance categories. It is faster in single-core and multi-core Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests. Its advantage is consistent, ranging from 12.6% to 12.8% across all tests. This makes it the winner for any application that relies on CPU rendering, encoding, or general compute tasks as measured by Cinebench. The larger L3 cache and quad-channel memory support also suggest it would be better for server workloads involving large datasets, though this is not directly benchmarked.

The Intel Xeon E-2274G has no benchmark wins. However, the data does show areas where it is not slower. Its lower TDP of 83 watts versus 90 watts could be a factor in dense server environments where power is a concern. The integrated HD Graphics P630 means a system built with the E-2274G does not require a separate GPU for basic display output, potentially reducing system cost and complexity. The E-2274G also uses the common Socket 1151, which may be more readily available in consumer or workstation motherboards. These are qualitative advantages not reflected in the raw compute scores.

Specification Differences

The table below lists the fields where the two processors differ according to the database.

| Specification | Intel Xeon E5-2640 v3 | Intel Xeon E-2274G |

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

| Cores | 8 | 4 |

| Threads | 16 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.60 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.40 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| TDP | 90 W | 83 W |

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

| Architecture | Haswell | Coffee Lake |

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

| Generation | Xeon E5 (Haswell-EP) | Xeon E (Coffee Lake) |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 14 nm |

| Transistors | 2,600 million | Not specified |

| Die Size | 356 mm² | 126 mm² |

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

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 59.7 GB/s | 42.7 GB/s |

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

| Integrated Graphics | None | HD Graphics P630 |

| Release Date | 2014-09-07 | 2019-05-28 |

| Launch MSRP | $939 | $328 |

| Part Number | SR205 | SRFDE |