CPU Comparison

The Intel Xeon E5-4650 v3 and the Intel Xeon E-2274G represent two very different approaches to server processing, separated by four years of architectural evolution. The E5-4650 v3 is a 12-core Haswell-EP part designed for multi-socket density, while the E-2274G is a 4-core Coffee Lake workstation chip with a high boost clock. Benchmark data shows a consistent, if narrow, victory for the older, larger chip across all tested workloads, despite its lower clock speeds.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are remarkably uniform. The Intel Xeon E5-4650 v3 wins all six benchmark comparisons, with every delta falling between 11.1% and 12%. This consistency indicates a fundamental throughput advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

In Cinebench R15, the E5-4650 v3 scores 928 in multi-core against the E-2274G’s 835, a lead of 11.1%. The single-core result is even more telling: the E5-4650 v3 scores 131 versus 117, a 12% advantage. This is surprising because the E-2274G has a base clock of 4.00 GHz and a boost of 4.90 GHz, while the E5-4650 v3 is limited to 2.10 GHz base and 2.80 GHz boost. The older chip’s superior per-core performance in this test suggests that the Haswell architecture’s IPC, combined with a larger 30 MB shared L3 cache, overcomes the massive clock deficit.

The pattern holds across newer Cinebench versions. In Cinebench R20, the E5-4650 v3 posts 3869 multi-core versus 3481 for the E-2274G, again an 11.1% delta. Single-core in R20 shows the E5-4650 v3 at 546 versus 491, an 11.2% lead. Cinebench R23 continues the trend: 9212 versus 8289 multi-core (11.1% delta) and 1300 versus 1170 single-core (11.1% delta). The narrowing of the single-core gap from 12% in R15 to 11.1% in R23 suggests that newer workloads are slightly less sensitive to the cache hierarchy differences, but the E5-4650 v3 remains ahead.

The data shows no scenario where the E-2274G’s higher frequency translates into a win. Even in single-threaded tests, where the E-2274G’s 4.90 GHz boost should theoretically dominate, the E5-4650 v3’s 12 cores and 24 threads allow for better memory latency hiding and scheduling. The E-2274G’s dual-channel memory bus (42.7 GB/s) versus the E5-4650 v3’s quad-channel bus (68.3 GB/s) likely contributes to this, as single-threaded performance on modern Cinebench versions still depends on memory subsystem responsiveness.

It is also worth noting the overall benchmark standing. The E5-4650 v3 has an average benchmark score of 2664, placing it at the 50th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rival is the Intel Core i7-9750HF at 2662 (0.1% delta). The E-2274G has an average score of 2643, at the 49th percentile, with the Intel Core i7-5820K at 2642 (0.1% delta) as its closest competitor. The two Xeons are separated by only 21 points in average score, but the E5-4650 v3 edges ahead in every direct comparison.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon E5-4650 v3 is the faster processor in every benchmark recorded. For workloads that rely on Cinebench-style rendering, multi-threaded throughput, or even single-threaded performance as measured here, the E5-4650 v3 delivers an 11-12% advantage across the board.

The choice between these two hinges on platform requirements rather than raw performance. The E5-4650 v3 requires an Intel Socket 2011-3 motherboard, which supports quad-channel DDR4 memory and 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. This makes it suitable for systems that need extensive I/O and memory bandwidth. However, it has a TDP of 105 watts and a launch MSRP of $2838. The E-2274G fits into the more common Intel Socket 1151, uses dual-channel memory, and offers only 16 PCIe lanes. It has a TDP of 83 watts and a launch MSRP of $328.

From a pure performance-per-watt perspective, the E5-4650 v3’s 12 cores at 105 watts versus the E-2274G’s 4 cores at 83 watts is not favorable, but the benchmark results show the E5-4650 v3 still wins on absolute speed. The E-2274G’s advantage lies in its integrated HD Graphics P630, which the E5-4650 v3 lacks entirely. For a system that needs basic display output without a discrete GPU, the E-2274G is the only option. For compute-bound tasks where memory bandwidth and core count matter, the E5-4650 v3 is the correct pick, provided the platform cost and power envelope are acceptable.

The verdict is simple: choose the E5-4650 v3 if you need maximum multi-threaded performance and have a socket 2011-3 platform. Choose the E-2274G if you need a lower-power, lower-cost socket 1151 solution with integrated graphics, and you can tolerate being 11% slower in Cinebench workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-4650 v3 scores 9212 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Intel Xeon E-2274G scores 8289. The E5-4650 v3 is 11.1% faster.

Q: Does the E-2274G ever win a benchmark?

A: No. In the head-to-head data, the E5-4650 v3 wins all six comparisons (Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both single and multi-core). The E-2274G has zero wins.

Q: Why does the E5-4650 v3 win single-core tests despite a lower clock speed?

A: The E5-4650 v3 has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and boost of 2.80 GHz, while the E-2274G has a 4.00 GHz base and 4.90 GHz boost. Despite this, the E5-4650 v3 scores 1300 versus 1170 in Cinebench R23 single-core (11.1% delta). The result is attributed to the E5-4650 v3’s larger 30 MB L3 cache and quad-channel memory bus, which offset the clock deficit.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The E5-4650 v3 supports quad-channel DDR4 with a theoretical bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s. The E-2274G supports dual-channel DDR4 with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The E5-4650 v3 provides 60% more memory bandwidth.

Q: Do both CPUs support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon E5-4650 v3 and the Intel Xeon E-2274G have ECC memory support listed in their specifications.

Q: Which CPU has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2274G includes integrated HD Graphics P630. The Intel Xeon E5-4650 v3 has no integrated graphics listed.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category.

• Cores and Threads: The E5-4650 v3 has 12 cores and 24 threads. The E-2274G has 4 cores and 8 threads.
• Clock Speeds: The E5-4650 v3 runs at 2.10 GHz base and 2.80 GHz boost. The E-2274G runs at 4.00 GHz base and 4.90 GHz boost.
• TDP: The E5-4650 v3 has a TDP of 105 watts. The E-2274G has a TDP of 83 watts.
• Socket: The E5-4650 v3 uses Intel Socket 2011-3. The E-2274G uses Intel Socket 1151.
• Process Node: The E5-4650 v3 is built on a 22 nm process. The E-2274G uses a 14 nm process.
• Die Size: The E5-4650 v3 has a die size of 356 mm². The E-2274G has a die size of 126 mm².
• L3 Cache: The E5-4650 v3 has 30 MB of shared L3 cache. The E-2274G has 8 MB of shared L3 cache.
• Memory Bus: The E5-4650 v3 supports quad-channel memory. The E-2274G supports dual-channel memory.
• Memory Bandwidth: The E5-4650 v3 has 68.3 GB/s bandwidth. The E-2274G has 42.7 GB/s.
• PCIe Lanes: The E5-4650 v3 offers 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only). The E-2274G offers 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only).
• Integrated Graphics: The E5-4650 v3 has none. The E-2274G has HD Graphics P630.
• Launch MSRP: The E5-4650 v3 launched at $2838. The E-2274G launched at $328.
• Release Date: The E5-4650 v3 was released on 2015-05-31. The E-2274G was released on 2019-05-28.
• Transistors: The E5-4650 v3 has 2,600 million transistors. The E-2274G has no transistor count listed.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two Xeons is substantial. The E5-4650 v3 is based on the Haswell-EP architecture, released as part of the Xeon E5 (Haswell-EP) generation. It uses a 22 nm process node from Intel, with a die size of 356 mm² and 2,600 million transistors. The E-2274G belongs to the Xeon E-2200 series and uses the Coffee Lake-S WS architecture, part of the Xeon E (Coffee Lake) generation. It is fabricated on a 14 nm process, with a significantly smaller die at 126 mm².

The core design philosophy differs markedly. The E5-4650 v3 is a high-core-count part designed for multi-socket servers, evidenced by its 12 cores, 24 threads, and 40 PCIe lanes. It has a large 30 MB shared L3 cache to feed those cores. The E-2274G is a low-core-count, high-frequency part, with 4 cores and 8 threads. Its 8 MB L3 cache is proportionally smaller, matching its reduced core count.

Memory architecture is a key differentiator. The E5-4650 v3 uses a quad-channel memory bus, providing 68.3 GB/s of bandwidth. The E-2274G uses a dual-channel bus, halving the potential bandwidth to 42.7 GB/s. This makes the E5-4650 v3 significantly better suited for memory-intensive workloads, even though its per-core clock speeds are much lower.

The E-2274G includes integrated HD Graphics P630, a feature absent from the E5-4650 v3. This makes the E-2274G a self-contained solution for systems that do not require a discrete GPU. The E5-4650 v3, with its 40 PCIe lanes, is designed to support multiple discrete accelerators or storage controllers instead.

The transistor count difference (2,600 million versus none listed) and die size difference (356 mm² versus 126 mm²) highlight the generational shift. The E-2274G achieves its performance with far fewer transistors and a much smaller die, thanks to the 14 nm process. However, the benchmark data shows that the E5-4650 v3’s older, larger design still wins on raw speed in Cinebench, likely due to its core count and cache size advantages.