CPU Comparison
Intel Xeon E-2274G
Xeon W-2125
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Xeon E-2274G vs Intel Xeon W-2125
The Intel Xeon E-2274G and Intel Xeon W-2125 are both 4-core, 8-thread server processors, but the benchmark data reveals a clear split between Cinebench and Geekbench workloads. The W-2125 wins 6 of the 8 head-to-head comparisons, while the E-2274G takes the remaining 2, including a decisive 19.9% victory in Geekbench single-core. The E-2274G is the better choice for single-threaded responsiveness and Geekbench-oriented tasks, whereas the W-2125 offers slight but consistent advantages across all Cinebench versions, making it the pick for sustained multi-threaded rendering workloads.
The Verdict
From the data, the choice depends entirely on which benchmark suite reflects the intended workload. The Intel Xeon W-2125 wins the majority of the head-to-head tests, taking 6 of 8 comparisons. Its margins are narrow, ranging from 1.9% to 2.5% across all Cinebench tests, but the pattern is uniform: the W-2125 scores higher in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both multi-core and single-core. The E-2274G, however, wins Geekbench multi-core by 3.7% and Geekbench single-core by a substantial 19.9%. Given that the W-2125 has a higher TDP of 120 watts versus 83 watts, the Cinebench advantage may reflect sustained power delivery, while the E-2274G’s Geekbench lead suggests better burst performance. Users prioritizing Cinebench-based rendering should pick the W-2125; those relying on Geekbench-heavy applications should pick the E-2274G. The E-2274G also offers integrated graphics, a feature absent on the W-2125, which may simplify system builds.
Architecture Differences
The two processors are built on different microarchitectures and platforms. The E-2274G uses the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake-S WS codename, fabricated on Intel’s 14 nm process with a die size of 126 mm². It is part of the Xeon E-2200 series and fits the Intel Socket 1151. In contrast, the W-2125 uses the Skylake architecture with the Skylake-W codename, also on a 14 nm process, but with a substantially larger die size of 484 mm². The W-2125 is part of the Xeon W (Skylake-W) generation and requires the Intel Socket 2066. The process node is identical at 14 nm, but the physical and platform differences are significant. The E-2274G has a smaller L2 cache at 256 KB per core, while the W-2125 has a much larger 1 MB per core. The L3 cache also differs: the E-2274G has 8 MB shared, while the W-2125 has 8.25 MB shared. The E-2274G integrates HD Graphics P630, whereas the W-2125 has no integrated graphics. The E-2274G was released later, on 2019-05-28, while the W-2125 came out on 2017-08-28. Both support ECC memory and are end-of-life products.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The head-to-head results show a consistent pattern across Cinebench, with the W-2125 leading by 2% or slightly less in every iteration. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the W-2125 scores 852 against the E-2274G’s 835, a 2% delta. The R15 single-core test shows the W-2125 at 120 versus 117, a 2.5% delta. Moving to Cinebench R20, the W-2125 scores 3551 versus 3481 in multi-core (2% delta) and 501 versus 491 in single-core (2% delta). Cinebench R23 shows the same margin: the W-2125 scores 8455 against 8289 in multi-core (2% delta) and 1193 against 1170 in single-core (1.9% delta). The E-2274G’s wins come in Geekbench. In Geekbench multi-core, the E-2274G scores 5174 versus the W-2125’s 4988, a 3.7% delta. The single-core Geekbench result is the largest gap in either direction: the E-2274G scores 1586 against 1323, a 19.9% delta. This 19.9% advantage is the standout number in the comparison, indicating that the E-2274G has a significant edge in single-threaded integer and floating-point performance as measured by Geekbench, despite losing all single-core Cinebench tests by roughly 2%.
Specification Differences
The specification sheet shows several key differences between the two processors. The base clock is identical at 4.00 GHz, but the boost clock differs: the E-2274G boosts to 4.90 GHz, while the W-2125 boosts to 4.50 GHz. The TDP is notably different, with the E-2274G rated at 83 watts and the W-2125 at 120 watts. The sockets are incompatible: the E-2274G uses Intel Socket 1151, while the W-2125 uses Intel Socket 2066. The L2 cache per core is 256 KB for the E-2274G and 1 MB for the W-2125. The L3 cache is 8 MB shared versus 8.25 MB shared. Memory support differs in channel configuration: the E-2274G uses dual-channel memory with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while the W-2125 uses quad-channel memory with a bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s. PCIe lanes also differ, with the E-2274G offering Gen 3, 16 lanes (CPU only) and the W-2125 offering Gen 3, 48 lanes (CPU only). The E-2274G has integrated HD Graphics P630, while the W-2125 has none. The launch MSRP for the E-2274G is $328, and for the W-2125 it is $444. The part numbers are SRFDE for the E-2274G and SR3LM for the W-2125. Both are end-of-life and have locked multipliers.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?
A: The Intel Xeon E-2274G has a boost clock of 4.90 GHz, while the Intel Xeon W-2125 has a boost clock of 4.50 GHz.
Q: How do the two processors compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?
A: The W-2125 scores 8455, which is 2% higher than the E-2274G’s 8289.
Q: What is the largest performance difference in the head-to-head benchmarks?
A: The largest difference is in Geekbench single-core, where the E-2274G scores 1586, which is 19.9% higher than the W-2125’s 1323.
Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?
A: Yes, both the E-2274G and the W-2125 support ECC memory.
Q: Which processor offers more PCIe lanes?
A: The W-2125 offers Gen 3, 48 lanes (CPU only), while the E-2274G offers Gen 3, 16 lanes (CPU only).
Q: Does either processor include integrated graphics?
A: The E-2274G includes HD Graphics P630, while the W-2125 has no integrated graphics.
Where Each One Wins
The Intel Xeon W-2125 is the clear winner in Cinebench-based workloads. Across all three versions of Cinebench (R15, R20, and R23), the W-2125 leads in both multi-core and single-core tests by a margin of approximately 2%. This consistency suggests that the W-2125’s higher TDP of 120 watts, compared to the E-2274G’s 83 watts, allows for sustained performance in rendering tasks that rely on the Cinebench engine. The W-2125 also benefits from a larger L2 cache of 1 MB per core versus 256 KB per core, which may contribute to its edge in these workloads. For users running Cinebench-specific benchmarks or applications built on similar rendering pipelines, the W-2125 is the data-backed choice.
The Intel Xeon E-2274G wins decisively in Geekbench, particularly in single-core performance, where it is 19.9% ahead of the W-2125. This is a substantial margin, and it indicates that the E-2274G’s higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz provides a significant advantage in single-threaded tasks as measured by Geekbench. The E-2274G also wins Geekbench multi-core by 3.7%, scoring 5174 versus 4988. This makes the E-2274G the better option for applications that are sensitive to Geekbench scores, which often include everyday productivity, web browsing, and general system responsiveness. Additionally, the E-2274G includes integrated HD Graphics P630, which is absent on the W-2125, meaning the E-2274G can operate without a discrete GPU in some configurations. The E-2274G also has a lower TDP of 83 watts, which may be preferable in power-constrained environments. The E-2274G’s overall average benchmark score is 2643, slightly higher than the W-2125’s 2623, and it sits at the 49th percentile among all CPUs, the same percentile as the W-2125.