Intel Xeon E-2278GEL vs Intel Xeon E5-2618L v3 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data paints a remarkably consistent picture: the Intel Xeon E5-2618L v3 wins every single head-to-head comparison against the Intel Xeon E-2278GEL. Across six Cinebench tests, spanning R15, R20, and R23, the older Haswell-EP part maintains a narrow but uniform advantage. The largest margin appears in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the E5-2618L v3 scores 628 against the E-2278GEL's 605, a delta of 3.7%. Every other test shows a 3.6% lead for the E5-2618L v3, with the sole exception of Cinebench R15 single-core at 3.3%.

In multi-threaded workloads, the E5-2618L v3 posts 1068 in Cinebench R15 multicore versus 1030 for the E-2278GEL, and 4452 versus 4292 in R20 multicore. The gap persists into the newer R23 test: 10601 for the E5-2618L v3 against 10220 for the E-2278GEL. Single-core results follow the same pattern, with the E5-2618L v3 leading 150 to 145 in R15, 628 to 605 in R20, and 1496 to 1442 in R23. The consistency is striking; it is not a case of one chip winning on some workloads and losing on others. The E5-2618L v3 is uniformly ahead, but the margins are modest across the board.

Looking at the broader database context, both processors sit at the 52nd percentile among all CPUs, indicating they occupy a similar performance tier. The E-2278GEL's average benchmark score is 2956, while the E5-2618L v3 averages 3066. The nearest rivals for the E-2278GEL include the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 4750U at 2965 (0.3% ahead) and the Intel Core i5-9600KF at 2935 (0.7% behind). The E5-2618L v3's closest competitor is the AMD Ryzen 7 4980U, which matches its 3066 average exactly, with the AMD Ryzen 7 1800X a hair behind at 3068 (0.1% difference). These figures place the E5-2618L v3 in the company of desktop-class Ryzen 7 parts, while the E-2278GEL aligns more closely with mid-range mobile and mainstream desktop chips.

The win count is decisive: six wins for the E5-2618L v3, zero for the E-2278GEL. Yet the actual score deltas are small enough that in real-world use, most users would struggle to perceive the difference without running benchmarks themselves. The data suggests a performance parity that leans consistently toward the older Xeon, but not by a margin that would justify choosing it solely for raw speed.

The Verdict

The Intel Xeon E5-2618L v3 is the clear performance winner according to the recorded benchmark data. It outpaces the E-2278GEL in every Cinebench iteration, both single-core and multi-core, by margins ranging from 3.3% to 3.7%. For workloads that rely heavily on sustained multi-threaded rendering, such as Cinebench R23 multicore, the E5-2618L v3's 10601 score versus 10220 gives it a measurable edge. The data indicates that users prioritizing maximum benchmark throughput should select the E5-2618L v3.

However, the E-2278GEL is not without its own advantages in the database. It consumes a dramatically lower 35W TDP compared to the E5-2618L v3's 75W, making it a far more power-efficient option for dense server deployments or systems where thermal headroom is limited. It also includes integrated UHD Graphics P630, a feature entirely absent on the E5-2618L v3, which could be relevant for systems that need a display output without a discrete GPU. The E-2278GEL uses the Intel Socket 1151 platform, while the E5-2618L v3 requires the larger Intel Socket 2011-3.

Pick the E5-2618L v3 if benchmark scores are the primary criterion and the platform supports its higher power draw and older Haswell architecture. Pick the E-2278GEL if power efficiency, integrated graphics, or the more modern Coffee Lake platform matter more than the small performance delta. The data shows the E5-2618L v3 wins on speed; the E-2278GEL wins on efficiency and feature set.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras of Intel's design roadmap. The E-2278GEL is built on the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake-S WS variant, using a 14 nm process node. Its die size measures 180 mm². The E5-2618L v3, in contrast, uses the Haswell-EP architecture on a 22 nm process node, with a substantially larger die of 356 mm² and 2,600 million transistors. The smaller process node of the Coffee Lake part allows for higher efficiency despite its lower TDP, while the Haswell-EP chip packs more silicon area and transistor count.

Both processors feature 8 cores and 16 threads, so the core count is identical. The cache hierarchies differ in the L3 department: the E-2278GEL has 16 MB of shared L3 cache, while the E5-2618L v3 offers 20 MB. Both have 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core. The integrated graphics situation is a major architectural divergence. The E-2278GEL includes UHD Graphics P630, whereas the E5-2618L v3 has no integrated graphics at all, a common trait for high-end server processors that assume a discrete GPU will be installed.

Memory architecture also separates the two. The E-2278GEL uses a dual-channel memory bus with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The E5-2618L v3 steps up to a quad-channel bus delivering 59.7 GB/s. Both support DDR4 memory and ECC, but the wider memory path on the E5-2618L v3 gives it a theoretical bandwidth advantage that could benefit memory-intensive workloads. PCIe lane allocation is another differentiator: the E-2278GEL provides 16 CPU lanes on PCIe Gen 3, while the E5-2618L v3 offers 40 lanes. This makes the E5-2618L v3 better suited for systems with many expansion cards, NVMe drives, or GPUs.

The production status also differs. The E-2278GEL is marked as end-of-life, while the E5-2618L v3 is listed as active. This could influence long-term availability and support decisions. The release dates reflect the generational gap: the E-2278GEL launched in June 2019, while the E5-2618L v3 debuted in September 2014. The part numbers are SRGE2 for the E-2278GEL and SR200 for the E5-2618L v3.

Specification Differences

The specification table highlights several direct contrasts between the two Xeon processors. Clock speeds favor the E-2278GEL: it has a base clock of 2000 MHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz, whereas the E5-2618L v3 runs at 2300 MHz base and 3.40 GHz boost. The E-2278GEL boosts higher, but the E5-2618L v3 starts from a higher base frequency. Power consumption is a stark difference, with the E-2278GEL rated at 35W TDP versus 75W for the E5-2618L v3, more than double.

Sockets are incompatible: the E-2278GEL uses Intel Socket 1151, the E5-2618L v3 uses Intel Socket 2011-3. The E-2278GEL's launch MSRP was $519, while the E5-2618L v3 launched at $779. Both have locked multipliers, so neither can be overclocked. The E-2278GEL's generation is listed as Xeon E (Coffee Lake), while the E5-2618L v3 is Xeon E5 (Haswell-EP). The E-2278GEL has a smaller die at 180 mm², while the E5-2618L v3's die is 356 mm² with 2,600 million transistors, a figure not available for the E-2278GEL.

Memory bandwidth differs significantly: 42.7 GB/s for the E-2278GEL versus 59.7 GB/s for the E5-2618L v3. The E-2278GEL supports dual-channel memory, the E5-2618L v3 quad-channel. The E-2278GEL includes integrated UHD Graphics P630; the E5-2618L v3 has none. The E-2278GEL provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, the E5-2618L v3 provides 40. Both support DDR4 and ECC memory, but the E5-2618L v3's wider memory bus is a clear specification advantage.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2618L v3 scores 10601, while the Intel Xeon E-2278GEL scores 10220, a 3.6% lead for the E5-2618L v3.

Q: Does the E-2278GEL have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes UHD Graphics P630. The E5-2618L v3 has no integrated graphics at all.

Q: How does the memory bandwidth compare?

A: The E-2278GEL has dual-channel memory with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth. The E5-2618L v3 has quad-channel memory with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The E-2278GEL is rated at 35W TDP, while the E5-2618L v3 is rated at 75W TDP.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The E5-2618L v3 offers 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, compared to 16 lanes on the E-2278GEL.

Q: Are both processors in the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both sit at the 52nd percentile among all CPUs, though the E5-2618L v3 has a higher average benchmark score of 3066 versus 2956 for the E-2278GEL.