CPU Comparison

The Verdict

The Intel Xeon E-2336 is the outright winner in every single benchmark recorded, taking all six head-to-head Cinebench tests against the Intel Xeon E-2278GE. The data shows a clean sweep: the E-2336 leads by 1.0% to 1.2% across single-core and multi-core workloads, with its largest margins appearing in Cinebench R15 multi-core (1388 vs 1372) and Cinebench R23 multi-core (13777 vs 13619). For anyone choosing strictly from benchmark performance, the E-2336 is the faster processor in both lightly threaded and fully loaded scenarios.

However, the choice is not purely about raw Cinebench scores. The E-2278GE packs two additional cores (8 vs 6) and four additional threads (16 vs 12), yet still trails in multi-core benchmarks. That means the E-2336's newer Rocket Lake architecture extracts more performance per core, making it the better pick for workloads where per-thread speed matters and for users who want PCIe Gen 4 support with 20 CPU lanes. The E-2278GE, on the other hand, remains competitive in multi-threaded tasks despite its age, and it brings integrated UHD Graphics P630, a feature the E-2336 lacks entirely. If a system needs a display output without a discrete GPU, the E-2278GE is the only option here.

The E-2336 is also the only one of the two still in active production; the E-2278GE is end-of-life. For new server or workstation builds, that favors the E-2336 for longevity and platform support. The E-2278GE may appeal to those upgrading existing Socket 1151 systems or needing integrated graphics, but the benchmark data offers no performance reason to prefer it.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and microarchitectures. The E-2336 is built on Rocket Lake-E, part of the Xeon E-2300 series, while the E-2278GE uses Coffee Lake-S WS from the Xeon E-2200 series. Both are fabricated on Intel's 14 nm process node, but the similarities end there.

Core counts diverge significantly: the E-2278GE has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the E-2336 has 6 cores and 12 threads. Clock speeds tell a more nuanced story. The E-2278GE starts higher with a 3.30 GHz base clock versus 2.90 GHz, but the E-2336 boosts slightly higher at 4.80 GHz compared to 4.70 GHz. The E-2336 also carries a lower TDP of 65 watts against the E-2278GE's 80 watts, indicating greater efficiency per watt despite the newer architecture.

Cache layouts differ markedly. The E-2336 uses 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, with 12 MB of shared L3. The E-2278GE has smaller per-core caches, 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2, but a larger 16 MB shared L3 pool. The die size reflects this: the E-2336 measures 276 mm² versus 180 mm² for the E-2278GE.

Platform support separates them further. The E-2336 uses Intel Socket 1200 with PCIe Gen 4 and 20 CPU lanes, while the E-2278GE uses the older Intel Socket 1151 with PCIe Gen 3 and 16 lanes. Memory bandwidth also favors the newer chip: 51.2 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s, both over dual-channel DDR4 with ECC support. The E-2278GE includes integrated UHD Graphics P630; the E-2336 has no integrated graphics at all.

Where Each One Wins

The E-2336 wins everywhere in the benchmark suite, but the margins are thin, never exceeding 1.2%. Its largest advantage appears in multi-core tests, where it leads by 1.2% in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core. That consistency suggests the newer architecture's efficiency offsets the E-2278GE's two extra cores. Single-core tests show a similar pattern: the E-2336 leads by 1.0% in R15, 1.1% in R20, and 1.2% in R23.

For workloads that rely heavily on single-thread performance, such as legacy software, certain database queries, or lightly threaded applications, the E-2336's higher boost clock and per-core cache give it a slight edge. Its 4.80 GHz boost clock and larger L1/L2 caches make it the better choice for latency-sensitive tasks.

The E-2278GE, despite losing all benchmarks, has structural advantages that matter outside Cinebench. Its 8 cores and 16 threads provide raw thread count for parallel workloads that scale well beyond six cores, even if Cinebench doesn't show a win. The integrated UHD Graphics P630 makes it suitable for headless servers that occasionally need a display, or for systems where adding a GPU is undesirable. Its larger 16 MB L3 cache could benefit workloads with larger working sets that fit in shared cache.

The E-2278GE's older Socket 1151 platform may also be a benefit for organizations with existing boards, while the E-2336 requires Socket 1200. But for pure performance per benchmark result, the E-2336 is the clear pick.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2278GE has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Xeon E-2336 has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Does the E-2336 win any benchmarks against the E-2278GE?

A: Yes, the E-2336 wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core, with margins between 1.0% and 1.2%.

Q: Which CPU supports PCIe Gen 4?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2336 supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes. The E-2278GE is limited to PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes.

Q: Does either processor include integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Xeon E-2278GE includes integrated graphics, specifically UHD Graphics P630. The E-2336 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What is the production status of each chip?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2336 is active, while the Intel Xeon E-2278GE is end-of-life.

Q: How do their memory bandwidth numbers compare?

A: The E-2336 provides 51.2 GB/s of dual-channel DDR4 memory bandwidth, versus 42.7 GB/s for the E-2278GE.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are remarkably consistent, with no test producing a dramatic upset. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the E-2336 scores 1388 against the E-2278GE's 1372, a 1.2% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows a narrower gap: 195 versus 193, a 1.0% lead. These are small but real differences.

Cinebench R20 repeats the pattern. Multi-core favors the E-2336 at 5786 versus 5719, again 1.2% ahead. Single-core shows 816 against 807, a 1.1% margin. The E-2336's higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz appears to translate directly into this consistent single-thread advantage over the E-2278GE's 4.70 GHz.

Cinebench R23 delivers the largest absolute score gap. Multi-core results show 13777 for the E-2336 and 13619 for the E-2278GE, a 158-point difference that still amounts to only 1.2%. Single-core R23 scores 1945 versus 1922, a 1.2% lead as well.

The most telling observation is the absence of any multi-core win for the 8-core E-2278GE. Despite having two more cores and four more threads, it cannot overcome the E-2336's per-core efficiency. The E-2336's smaller 12 MB L3 cache versus 16 MB does not hurt it in these tests, and its larger per-core L1 (80 KB vs 64 KB) and L2 (512 KB vs 256 KB) caches likely contribute to its wins.

Average benchmark scores reinforce the trend. The E-2336 posts an average benchmark score of 3985, while the E-2278GE averages 3939, a difference of 46 points. Both sit at the 57th percentile among all CPUs, meaning they occupy the same overall performance tier despite the E-2336's consistent head-to-head wins.

Nearest rival data places both chips in similar company. The E-2336's closest competitor is the Intel Xeon D-2733NT at 3984 (0% delta), followed by the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650G at 3977 (0.2% behind). The E-2278GE's nearest rival is the Intel Core i7-6900K at 3970, which sits 0.8% ahead of it. This places the E-2278GE slightly below its own nearest rivals, while the E-2336 trades blows evenly with its top competitors.

In practical terms, the E-2336 is the stronger performer in every measured category. The E-2278GE's only redeeming benchmark-related quality is that it stays close, within 1.2%, despite its older architecture and lower boost clock. For users who need integrated graphics or eight physical cores, the E-2278GE remains viable, but the data leaves no doubt that the E-2336 is the faster CPU.