Intel Xeon E-2278GE vs Intel Xeon E-2286M Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data paints a clear picture in the direct comparisons between the Intel Xeon E-2278GE and the Intel Xeon E-2286M. Across all six Cinebench tests, the E-2278GE takes the win, though the margins are consistent and relatively narrow. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the E-2278GE scores 1372 against 1295 for the E-2286M, a delta of 5.9%. The single-core R15 test shows a similar gap: 193 versus 182, a 6% advantage. This pattern repeats through the newer Cinebench versions. In R20 multicore, the E-2278GE posts 5719 while the E-2286M trails at 5396, again a 6% delta. The R20 single-core result is 807 versus 761, another 6% edge. Cinebench R23 multicore delivers 13619 for the E-2278GE and 12848 for the E-2286M, with the same 6% delta. The R23 single-core score of 1922 versus 1813 rounds out the sweep, also at 6%.

What is notable here is the uniformity of the performance gap. Whether the workload scales across all 8 cores or runs on a single thread, the E-2278GE maintains roughly the same lead. This suggests the difference is not workload-dependent but rather reflects a consistent clock-speed advantage in the measured scenarios. The E-2278GE has a base clock of 3.30 GHz versus 2.40 GHz for the E-2286M, which explains part of the multicore gap. However, the E-2286M has a higher boost clock at 5.00 GHz compared to 4.70 GHz, yet that does not translate into a single-core win in these benchmarks. The data indicates that sustained all-core performance and even short single-thread bursts favor the E-2278GE in the Cinebench suite.

One caveat: the E-2286M has additional Geekbench results in the database, with a multicore score of 6746 and a single-core score of 1537. The E-2278GE does not have comparable Geekbench entries, so a direct head-to-head in that test is unavailable. Still, for the six benchmark comparisons that exist, the E-2278GE wins outright in every category. The overall average benchmark score also favors the E-2278GE at 3939, against 3822 for the E-2286M. That places the E-2278GE at the 57th percentile of all CPUs, one point above the E-2286M's 56th percentile.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in single-core performance?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2278GE wins all three single-core Cinebench tests. It scores 193 in R15, 807 in R20, and 1922 in R23, while the E-2286M scores 182, 761, and 1813 respectively. Each margin is exactly 6%.

Q: How large is the multicore performance gap?

A: The E-2278GE leads by 5.9% in Cinebench R15 multicore (1372 versus 1295) and by 6% in both R20 (5719 versus 5396) and R23 (13619 versus 12848) multicore tests.

Q: Does the E-2286M have any benchmark win?

A: In the recorded head-to-head data, no. The E-2278GE wins all six Cinebench comparisons. The E-2286M does have Geekbench scores (6746 multicore, 1537 single-core) that are not available for the E-2278GE, so no direct comparison exists for that test.

Q: What are the power envelopes of these two chips?

A: The E-2278GE has a TDP of 80 watts, while the E-2286M is rated at 45 watts. Despite the lower power draw, the E-2286M does not achieve a performance win in the tested Cinebench workloads.

Q: How do these processors compare to their nearest rivals?

A: The E-2278GE sits within 0.8% of several competitors: it is 0.4% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS (3924 average score), 0.5% behind the AMD Ryzen 3 7330U (3958), 0.5% behind the Intel Xeon E5-2669 v3 (3959), and 0.8% behind the Intel Core i7-6900K (3970). The E-2286M is effectively tied with the AMD Ryzen 9 4900H (3820, 0% delta), 0.6% ahead of the Intel Core i7-8086K (3800), 0.9% ahead of the Intel Core i7-9700KF (3787), and 1.1% behind the Intel Core i7-11700T (3864).

Q: Do both chips support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the E-2278GE and the E-2286M support ECC memory and use dual-channel DDR4 with a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s.

Architecture Differences

Both processors come from the same Intel Xeon E-2200 series, use the Coffee Lake architecture, and are built on Intel's 14 nm process node. They share identical die sizes of 180 mm², the same cache hierarchy (64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3), and the same integrated graphics solution in the UHD Graphics P630. Both support DDR4 memory over a dual-channel bus with matching 42.7 GB/s bandwidth, and both use Gen 3 PCIe with 16 CPU-only lanes.

The primary architectural split lies in the socket and the power design. The E-2278GE uses Intel Socket 1151, typical of desktop-style workstation boards, while the E-2286M uses Intel BGA 1440, a ball-grid array that is soldered directly to the motherboard. This difference points to distinct target platforms: the E-2278GE for socketed workstation builds, the E-2286M for mobile or compact integrated systems.

Clock behavior diverges significantly. The E-2278GE runs a base clock of 3.30 GHz and boosts to 4.70 GHz. The E-2286M starts lower at 2.40 GHz base but reaches a higher boost of 5.00 GHz. Yet the benchmark results show the E-2278GE winning at both single-core and multicore Cinebench, meaning the higher boost ceiling of the E-2286M does not overcome its lower base clock in these sustained workloads. The TDP difference is substantial: 80 watts for the E-2278GE versus 45 watts for the E-2286M. This indicates the E-2286M is designed for tighter thermal budgets, likely in laptops or embedded systems, while the E-2278GE has more thermal headroom for consistent performance.

Both chips are marked end-of-life and were released within weeks of each other in 2019: the E-2286M on May 28 and the E-2278GE on June 10. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. The part numbers differ (SRGDY for the E-2278GE, SRFCZ for the E-2286M), and their launch MSRPs differ as well: $519 for the E-2278GE and $623 for the E-2286M. The market segment for both is listed as Server/Workstation, and the codenames reflect the split: Coffee Lake-S WS for the E-2278GE and Coffee Lake-H for the E-2286M.

The Verdict

The benchmark data shows a consistent, if modest, performance advantage for the Intel Xeon E-2278GE. In every recorded Cinebench test, it outperforms the E-2286M by roughly 6%, with the sole multicore R15 gap at 5.9%. For workloads that rely on Cinebench-style rendering and multi-threaded compute, the E-2278GE is the clear choice between these two. Its higher base clock appears to deliver sustained performance that the E-2286M cannot match despite its higher boost clock.

The E-2286M, however, offers a compelling counterpoint in power efficiency. Its 45-watt TDP is nearly half that of the E-2278GE's 80-watt rating. For systems where thermal limits and battery life matter more than a 6% performance delta, the E-2286M is the logical pick. The data also shows the E-2286M has Geekbench results not present for the E-2278GE, suggesting it may have been evaluated in a broader set of tests, though no direct comparison is possible.

In terms of overall standing, the E-2278GE holds a 57th percentile rank versus 56th for the E-2286M, and its average benchmark score of 3939 is 117 points higher. The nearest-rival comparisons show both chips clustered tightly around similar competitors, with the E-2278GE within 0.8% of its four closest rivals and the E-2286M within 1.1%. Neither chip dominates its peer group, but the E-2278GE edges ahead in the head-to-head.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E-2278GE | Intel Xeon E-2286M |

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

| Base Clock | 3.30 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.70 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 80 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | Intel BGA 1440 |

| Codename | Coffee Lake-S WS | Coffee Lake-H |

| Release Date | 2019-06-10 | 2019-05-28 |

| Part Number | SRGDY | SRFCZ |

| Launch MSRP | $519 | $623 |

| Geekbench Scores | Not recorded | 6746 multicore, 1537 single-core |

Shared specifications include 8 cores, 16 threads, 14 nm process, 180 mm² die size, 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, 16 MB shared L3, DDR4 dual-channel memory with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth, ECC support, Gen 3 PCIe with 16 CPU-only lanes, UHD Graphics P630, and both are end-of-life with locked multipliers.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E-2278GE wins in every measured Cinebench category: R15, R20, and R23, both single-core and multicore. This makes it the superior choice for rendering workloads, video encoding, and any task that scales across threads or demands quick single-thread response. Its 6% lead in single-core tests and 5.9% to 6% lead in multicore tests is consistent, meaning users can expect a uniform improvement across a broad range of compute-intensive applications. The higher base clock of 3.30 GHz likely contributes to this sustained advantage.

The Intel Xeon E-2286M wins in power efficiency, with a 45-watt TDP compared to 80 watts for the E-2278GE. This makes it attractive for compact systems, fanless designs, or mobile workstations where heat dissipation is constrained. It also has a higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz, which could prove beneficial in short, bursty workloads that do not sustain full load, though the Cinebench data does not reflect this advantage. Additionally, the E-2286M has recorded Geekbench scores (6746 multicore, 1537 single-core) that are absent for the E-2278GE, so for users who prioritize Geekbench-specific metrics, the E-2286M at least offers a data point where the E-2278GE has none.

For a socketed workstation with adequate cooling, the E-2278GE is the stronger performer. For a soldered, power-constrained platform, the E-2286M offers nearly the same compute capability at a much lower power draw. The choice hinges on whether the 6% performance edge or the 35-watt power savings matters more for the intended deployment.