Intel Xeon E-2286G vs Intel Xeon W-1290TE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded benchmark data shows a clean sweep for the Intel Xeon W-1290TE across every Cinebench test in the comparison set, with the Intel Xeon E-2286G trailing by a narrow margin in each instance. The W-1290TE wins all six head-to-head tests, though the deltas are consistent and small, ranging from 2.6% to 2.9%.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the W-1290TE scores 1230 against the E-2286G's 1198, a 2.6% advantage. The single-core R15 result is similarly close: 173 versus 168, a 2.9% lead for the W-1290TE. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multicore gap is 5129 versus 4993 (2.7%), and the single-core gap is 724 versus 704 (2.8%). Cinebench R23 repeats the pattern, with the W-1290TE at 12213 multicore and 1724 single-core, versus 11889 and 1678 for the E-2286G, both deltas at 2.7%.

What is striking is the uniformity of the margin. The W-1290TE does not run away in any workload; it simply edges ahead everywhere. This suggests a consistent per-thread efficiency advantage rather than a raw core-count explosion. The E-2286G, despite having fewer cores, manages to stay within roughly 3% in every multi-threaded test. That is a meaningful result, because the W-1290TE has 10 cores and 20 threads, while the E-2286G has 6 cores and 12 threads. The multi-core score gap should logically be larger if core count were the dominant factor, but the E-2286G's higher boost clock and per-core performance compensate substantially.

Single-core results tell the same story. The W-1290TE leads by 2.9% in R15, 2.8% in R20, and 2.7% in R23. These are close enough that in practical workloads, the difference may be imperceptible. However, the data is unambiguous: in every recorded Cinebench iteration, the W-1290TE comes out ahead. The win count is 6 for the W-1290TE, 0 for the E-2286G.

The average benchmark score, which spans a broader set of recorded tests, shows the E-2286G at 3610 and the W-1290TE at 3532. That is a 78-point difference in favor of the E-2286G, roughly 2.2%. This is interesting because it flips the head-to-head narrative. The E-2286G's average score benefits from its Geekbench results, which are included in its benchmark set (6651 multicore, 1598 single-core), while the W-1290TE has no recorded Geekbench data in the database. The Cinebench-only head-to-head favors the W-1290TE, but the broader average favors the E-2286G. Both CPUs sit at the 55th percentile among all CPUs, meaning they are statistically indistinguishable in overall standing.

Nearest rival data reinforces the idea that these two chips occupy the same performance tier. The E-2286G's closest rivals include the Intel Xeon E5-2678 v3 (average score 3608, delta 0.1%), the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 1700 (3613, delta -0.1%), the Intel Xeon E-2276G (3614, delta -0.1%), and the AMD Ryzen 7 2700E (3603, delta 0.2%). The W-1290TE's nearest rivals are the Intel Core i3-12300 (3532, delta 0%), the Intel Core i5-10600K (3533, delta 0%), the Intel Xeon W-2135 (3530, delta 0.1%), and the Intel Core i3-12300T (3525, delta 0.2%). In both cases, the deltas are fractions of a percent, indicating that the field around these chips is extremely tight.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU wins the most head-to-head benchmark tests?

A: The Intel Xeon W-1290TE wins all six recorded head-to-head Cinebench tests, covering R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core modes. The Intel Xeon E-2286G wins none of them.

Q: How large is the performance gap between the two in multi-core workloads?

A: The gap is narrow. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the W-1290TE scores 12213 versus 11889 for the E-2286G, a 2.7% difference. In R20 multicore, the scores are 5129 versus 4993, also 2.7%. In R15 multicore, the scores are 1230 versus 1198, a 2.6% difference.

Q: Which CPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2286G has a higher average benchmark score of 3610, compared to 3532 for the Intel Xeon W-1290TE. This is despite the W-1290TE winning every head-to-head Cinebench test.

Q: Do the two CPUs have different core counts and clock speeds?

A: Yes. The E-2286G has 6 cores and 12 threads with a base clock of 4.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The W-1290TE has 10 cores and 20 threads with a base clock of 1800.00 MHz (1.80 GHz) and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz.

Q: What is the thermal design power difference?

A: The E-2286G has a TDP of 95 watts, while the W-1290TE has a TDP of 35 watts. The W-1290TE delivers more cores and higher multi-core scores while drawing less than half the TDP.

Q: How do their percentile rankings compare?

A: Both CPUs are at the 55th percentile among all CPUs in the database, indicating they perform at the same overall level despite the difference in average benchmark scores.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel microarchitectures. The Intel Xeon E-2286G is built on Coffee Lake, specifically the Coffee Lake-S WS die, and belongs to the Xeon E-2200 series. The Intel Xeon W-1290TE is built on Comet Lake and belongs to the Xeon (Comet Lake) generation. Both use a 14 nm process node and are fabricated by Intel, but the die sizes differ: the E-2286G has a die size of 154 mm², while the W-1290TE has a larger die at 206 mm².

The core and cache configurations reflect the architectural differences. The E-2286G has 6 cores and 12 threads, with 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The W-1290TE has 10 cores and 20 threads, also with 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, but its shared L3 cache is larger at 20 MB. The larger L3 cache on the W-1290TE aligns with its higher core count and the Comet Lake design.

Both CPUs support DDR4 memory with dual-channel memory buses. The E-2286G has a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while the W-1290TE has a higher memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s. Both support ECC memory, which is typical for server and workstation segments. The PCIe implementation is identical: Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

Integrated graphics differ in naming. The E-2286G includes HD Graphics P630, while the W-1290TE includes Intel UHD Graphics P630. Both are workstation-oriented graphics solutions. The sockets are different: the E-2286G uses Intel Socket 1151, and the W-1290TE uses Intel Socket 1200. This means they are not interchangeable in a motherboard.

Production status also differs. The E-2286G is marked as end-of-life, while the W-1290TE is active. The release dates reflect this: the E-2286G was released on 2019-05-28, and the W-1290TE on 2020-05-12, roughly a year later. The E-2286G has the part number SRF7C, and the W-1290TE has the part number SRJFH.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in several specification fields. Core count is the most obvious: the E-2286G has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the W-1290TE has 10 cores and 20 threads. Base clock speeds differ significantly: the E-2286G runs at 4.00 GHz, while the W-1290TE runs at 1800.00 MHz, which is 1.80 GHz. Boost clocks are closer, with the E-2286G at 4.90 GHz and the W-1290TE at 4.50 GHz.

TDP is a major differentiator. The E-2286G has a TDP of 95 watts, while the W-1290TE has a TDP of 35 watts. This makes the W-1290TE a much lower-power part despite having more cores. The sockets differ as well: the E-2286G uses Intel Socket 1151, and the W-1290TE uses Intel Socket 1200.

L3 cache differs: the E-2286G has 12 MB shared, while the W-1290TE has 20 MB shared. Memory bandwidth is higher on the W-1290TE at 46.9 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s. Die size also differs: 154 mm² for the E-2286G and 206 mm² for the W-1290TE. The integrated graphics differ in name, from HD Graphics P630 to Intel UHD Graphics P630.

The market segment is the same for both: Server/Workstation. Neither CPU has an unlocked multiplier. The E-2286G has a launch MSRP of $450, and the W-1290TE has a launch MSRP of $552. The production status differs, with the E-2286G end-of-life and the W-1290TE active.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon W-1290TE wins in every recorded multi-threaded Cinebench workload. Its 10 cores and 20 threads, combined with a 20 MB L3 cache, give it an edge in heavily parallel tasks. The R23 multicore score of 12213 versus 11889 confirms it as the better choice for rendering, video encoding, or any workload that scales across cores. The low TDP of 35 watts is a significant advantage in power-constrained environments, such as dense server chassis or small workstations where cooling and power budgets are tight. The active production status also means it is still available for new deployments.

The Intel Xeon E-2286G, despite losing every head-to-head Cinebench test, holds a higher average benchmark score of 3610 versus 3532. Its advantage comes from the Geekbench results in its recorded data: 6651 multicore and 1598 single-core. The higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz and the lower core count make it a strong choice for single-threaded responsiveness. In workloads that depend on a few fast cores rather than many slower ones, the E-2286G can hold its own. Its 95-watt TDP and 6-core design also make it suitable for workstation tasks that favor low latency over throughput.

For buyers choosing between the two, the decision hinges on workload type and power constraints. The W-1290TE is the superior multi-core performer, with a 2.6% to 2.7% lead across all Cinebench versions, and it does so at a fraction of the power draw. The E-2286G offers a higher boost clock and a better average benchmark score, but its multi-core deficit is real. In single-core tests, the W-1290TE still wins, but by a margin of only 2.7% to 2.9%, which may be within the noise of many real applications.

The E-2286G also benefits from a lower launch MSRP of $450 compared to $552 for the W-1290TE, but the W-1290TE counters with more cores, more cache, and a much lower TDP. Both CPUs sit at the 55th percentile, suggesting that in the broader CPU landscape, neither is a standout. The choice comes down to whether the user prioritizes the W-1290TE's multi-core scaling and efficiency or the E-2286G's higher clock speed and slightly better average score. The recorded data shows the W-1290TE as the benchmark winner in every direct comparison, but the E-2286G remains competitive in overall average performance.