CPU Comparison

The Intel Xeon E-2276G and Intel Xeon E-2286G are nearly identical twins from the same Coffee Lake-S WS family, both aimed at single-socket workstations and servers. The data shows a remarkable statistical dead heat in aggregate performance, with the E-2276G holding a 0.1% average score advantage (3614 vs 3610) over the E-2286G. However, the benchmark breakdown reveals a more interesting story than the overall averages suggest: the E-2276G wins seven of eight head-to-head tests, yet the E-2286G counters with a single, significant victory in Geekbench multicore. This makes the choice less about raw capability and more about specific workload characteristics, power envelopes, and the price premium for the higher base clock.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the head-to-head data is the consistency of the E-2276G's wins across the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the E-2276G scores 1205 against 1198 for the E-2286G, a 0.6% margin. That exact 0.6% delta repeats in Cinebench R15 singlecore (169 vs 168), Cinebench R20 multicore (5021 vs 4993), Cinebench R20 singlecore (708 vs 704), Cinebench R23 multicore (11957 vs 11889), and Cinebench R23 singlecore (1688 vs 1678). In every single Cinebench iteration, the E-2276G is ahead by precisely 0.6%. This uniformity suggests a fixed architectural advantage, likely stemming from how the two chips are binned or configured, rather than workload-specific scaling.

The Geekbench results break the pattern. In Geekbench singlecore, the E-2276G wins again, 1610 vs 1598, a 0.8% margin. But in Geekbench multicore, the E-2286G takes its only victory, scoring 6651 against the E-2276G's 6551. That is a 1.5% swing in favor of the E-2286G, the largest delta in any test. This is a meaningful outlier. Cinebench workloads are highly threaded and scale predictably with core count and clock speed, while Geekbench's multicore test includes memory and cache-sensitive subtests. The E-2286G's 1.5% win there indicates it manages memory or cache access slightly better under specific multi-threaded loads, despite losing every other multicore test.

Looking at the broader competitive landscape, both chips sit at the 55th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score around 3610. The nearest rivals are within 0.3%: the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 1700 scores 3613 (0% delta from the E-2276G), and the Intel Xeon E5-2678 v3 scores 3608 (0.2% behind the E-2276G, 0.1% behind the E-2286G). The AMD Ryzen 7 2700E sits at 3603, trailing both by 0.3%. The takeaway here is that neither Xeon is a performance outlier in its class; they are mid-pack performers, and the differences between them are far smaller than the differences between them and the rest of the field.

Architecture Differences

At the architectural level, these two processors are nearly indistinguishable. Both use the Coffee Lake-S WS die, built on Intel's 14 nm process, with a die size of 154 mm². Both have 6 cores and 12 threads, with identical cache hierarchies: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The memory controller is the same on both, supporting dual-channel DDR4 with a peak bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, and ECC memory is supported on both. The PCIe interface is identical as well: Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Both integrate HD Graphics P630, and both are locked (multiplier unlocked: false).

The only real architectural differences are the base clock and thermal design power (TDP). The E-2276G has a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a TDP of 80 W. The E-2286G has a base clock of 4.00 GHz and a TDP of 95 W. Both share the same 4.90 GHz boost clock. This explains the benchmark pattern: the E-2286G runs a higher base clock, which should give it an edge, but its higher TDP suggests it may be power-limited or thermally throttled under sustained all-core loads, allowing the lower-clocked E-2276G to pull ahead in Cinebench multicore tests. The E-2286G's higher base clock likely helps it in bursty, short-duration multicore workloads like Geekbench, where it can sustain higher clocks before hitting thermal or power limits.

Both chips are from the Xeon E-2200 series, released on the same date (2019-05-28), and both are marked as end-of-life production status. They use the Intel Socket 1151, and share the same part number family (SR3WS for the E-2276G, SRF7C for the E-2286G). The generation and codename are identical: Xeon E (Coffee Lake) and Coffee Lake-S WS. In short, you are choosing between two bins of the same silicon, differentiated only by clock speeds and power limits.

Where Each One Wins

The E-2276G is the clear winner for sustained, heavily threaded workloads that stress all cores for extended periods. Its 0.6% advantage across every Cinebench multicore test (R15, R20, R23) indicates that it holds its clocks better under load, likely due to the lower 80 W TDP versus the E-2286G's 95 W. If your work involves long video renders, batch processing, or continuous simulation runs in Cinebench-style applications, the E-2276G is the safer bet. It also wins singlecore tests, but by the same 0.6% margin, meaning it is not a singlecore specialist; it is simply the better all-round performer in rendering workloads.

The E-2286G's sole win comes in Geekbench multicore, with a 1.5% advantage (6651 vs 6551). Geekbench's multicore test is shorter and more varied than Cinebench, including tasks like image compression, encryption, and HTML5 browser workloads. The E-2286G's higher base clock (4.00 GHz vs 3.80 GHz) likely allows it to hit higher average clocks during these bursty tasks, before thermal throttling becomes a factor. If your workload is characterized by short, frequent bursts of multi-threaded activity, think code compilation, spreadsheet recalculation, or light 3D preview rendering, the E-2286G may edge out the E-2276G.

The data also shows that the E-2286G loses singlecore Geekbench (1598 vs 1610), which undermines the argument that its higher base clock helps in all short-duration tasks. The E-2276G wins that test by 0.8%, its largest margin. This suggests the E-2286G's advantage is specifically in multi-threaded burst scenarios, not singlecore bursts. For pure single-threaded responsiveness, the E-2276G is slightly better.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2276G has an average benchmark score of 3614, while the Intel Xeon E-2286G scores 3610. The E-2276G leads by 0.1%.

Q: How do these chips compare to the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 1700?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 1700 has an average score of 3613, which is essentially tied with the E-2276G (0% delta). The E-2286G is 0.1% behind the Ryzen 7 PRO 1700.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two chips?

A: The largest delta is in Geekbench multicore, where the E-2286G scores 6651 against the E-2276G's 6551, a 1.5% difference. All other tests show a 0.6% to 0.8% gap.

Q: Do both CPUs support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the E-2276G and E-2286G support ECC memory, and both have a dual-channel DDR4 memory bus with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Are these CPUs overclockable?

A: No. Both have a locked multiplier (multiplier unlocked: false), so you cannot overclock either processor.

Q: What is the difference in launch MSRP?

A: The E-2276G has a launch MSRP of $362, while the E-2286G has a launch MSRP of $450. (Note: no pricing analysis is provided beyond these stated values.)

Specification Differences

The specification sheets for these two CPUs differ in only a handful of fields. The most obvious is the base clock: the E-2276G runs at 3.80 GHz, while the E-2286G runs at 4.00 GHz. Both have a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The TDP also differs, with the E-2276G rated at 80 W and the E-2286G at 95 W. The launch MSRP differs as well, at $362 for the E-2276G and $450 for the E-2286G. The part numbers are different (SR3WS vs SRF7C), reflecting the different bins.

Every other specification is identical: 6 cores, 12 threads, 14 nm process, 154 mm² die size, 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, 12 MB shared L3, dual-channel DDR4 with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth, ECC memory support, Gen 3 PCIe with 16 lanes, integrated HD Graphics P630, Intel Socket 1151, Coffee Lake architecture, and end-of-life production status. The release dates are the same (2019-05-28), and both are locked CPUs. In practical terms, the only differences that matter for performance are base clock and TDP.

The Verdict

The data points firmly toward the Intel Xeon E-2276G as the better buy for most users, despite its lower base clock. It wins seven of eight benchmark comparisons, including every Cinebench test and both singlecore tests. Its 0.6% advantage across the board suggests it is the more consistent performer, likely because the lower 80 W TDP allows it to maintain boost clocks without hitting power limits as quickly as the 95 W E-2286G. The E-2276G also carries a lower launch MSRP ($362 vs $450), making it the more sensible choice on paper.

The E-2286G is only worth considering if your workload is dominated by short, multi-threaded bursts that resemble Geekbench's multicore test, where it holds a 1.5% advantage. That is a narrow use case, and the higher base clock (4.00 GHz vs 3.80 GHz) does not translate into wins in any other test. The 95 W TDP also means it will run hotter and require more robust cooling, though the benchmark database does not specify cooler requirements. For a server or workstation running sustained rendering, compilation, or simulation, the E-2276G is the statistically superior choice. For bursty, mixed multi-threaded tasks, the E-2286G offers a small edge, but the data shows that edge is isolated and may not justify the price difference. Both chips sit at the 55th percentile, so neither is a high-end performer; they are mid-range workhorses, and the E-2276G is the more efficient and more consistent one.