Intel Xeon E-2286G vs Intel Xeon W-2135 Comparison

Intel Xeon E-2286G and Intel Xeon W-2135 are both six-core, twelve-thread server and workstation processors from Intel, but they target different platform expectations. The E-2286G belongs to the Xeon E-2200 series built on Coffee Lake architecture, while the W-2135 is a Skylake-W part for the larger Socket 2066 platform. Benchmark results from the database show a consistent, albeit narrow, advantage for the W-2135 across every recorded Cinebench test, with the E-2286G countering with a lower thermal envelope and integrated graphics. This analysis walks through the recorded data to clarify where each processor stands.

Where Each One Wins

The recorded benchmark data gives the Intel Xeon W-2135 a clean sweep with six wins out of six head-to-head tests. The margin is uniform: the W-2135 leads by 2.6% in the multi-core and single-core variants of Cinebench R20 and R23, and by 2.6% and 2.9% in Cinebench R15 multi-core and single-core respectively. None of these deltas are large, but they are consistent across all rendering workloads, indicating a small but reliable performance edge for the W-2135 in threaded and lightly threaded tasks alike.

The Intel Xeon E-2286G does not win any of the six recorded head-to-head benchmarks, yet it holds its ground in other ways. Its average benchmark score of 3610 places it slightly above the W-2135's average of 3530, a difference of roughly 2.3% in favor of the E-2286G when looking at the broader benchmark aggregate rather than the specific Cinebench tests. The E-2286G also has a lower TDP of 95 watts compared to 140 watts for the W-2135, which translates to less heat output and potentially lower cooling requirements in a dense server chassis. Additionally, the E-2286G includes integrated HD Graphics P630, whereas the W-2135 has no integrated graphics, so the E-2286G can handle basic display output without a discrete GPU.

For workloads that depend purely on CPU rendering, the W-2135 is the stronger pick based on the recorded scores. For environments where power draw and onboard graphics matter, the E-2286G offers those features without a major sacrifice in the tested benchmarks, as its deficit is only a few percentage points.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share the same 14 nm process node and Intel as the foundry, but their internal designs diverge significantly. The E-2286G uses Coffee Lake architecture with a codename of Coffee Lake-S WS, built for Intel Socket 1151. It has 6 cores and 12 threads, a base clock of 4.00 GHz, and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. Its L1 cache is 64 KB per core, L2 is 256 KB per core, and L3 is 12 MB shared. The die size is 154 mm², and memory support is dual-channel DDR4 with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. It also has 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU and integrated HD Graphics P630.

The W-2135 uses Skylake architecture with the codename Skylake-W, designed for Intel Socket 2066. It also has 6 cores and 12 threads, but its base clock is lower at 3.70 GHz and its boost clock is 4.50 GHz. The cache layout differs: L1 remains 64 KB per core, but L2 is larger at 1 MB per core, and L3 is smaller at 8.25 MB shared. The die size is substantially larger at 484 mm², reflecting the different platform and memory controller design. Memory support is quad-channel DDR4 with a bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s, and it provides 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, which is triple the lane count of the E-2286G. There is no integrated graphics on the W-2135.

These architectural differences explain the benchmark outcomes. The W-2135's higher memory bandwidth (85.3 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s) and doubled L2 cache per core likely contribute to its slight edge in Cinebench scores, even though its clock speeds are lower. The E-2286G compensates with higher clocks (4.00 GHz base, 4.90 GHz boost versus 3.70 GHz and 4.50 GHz) and a larger shared L3 (12 MB versus 8.25 MB), but that is not enough to overtake the W-2135 in the recorded tests. The larger die size of the W-2135 also points to a more complex memory controller and additional I/O capabilities, which are relevant for systems that need quad-channel memory and more PCIe lanes.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the recorded benchmark data, the Intel Xeon W-2135 is the faster processor for Cinebench workloads. It wins all six head-to-head tests, with margins ranging from 2.6% to 2.9%. The largest single advantage is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the W-2135 scores 173 against the E-2286G's 168, a 2.9% lead. In multi-core R15, the W-2135 scores 1230 versus 1198, a 2.6% lead. The same 2.6% delta repeats in R20 multi-core (5126 versus 4993), R20 single-core (723 versus 704), R23 multi-core (12205 versus 11889), and R23 single-core (1723 versus 1678).

However, the E-2286G is not without its strengths. It has a higher average benchmark score of 3610 versus 3530 for the W-2135, and it consumes less power at 95 watts TDP. It also includes integrated graphics, which the W-2135 lacks. For a system builder who prioritizes lower power draw and does not need quad-channel memory or 48 PCIe lanes, the E-2286G is a viable alternative. Its performance deficit in the recorded tests is small enough that in real-world mixed workloads, the difference may be negligible.

The choice comes down to platform priorities. The W-2135 is the clear winner in raw rendering benchmarks and offers superior memory bandwidth and PCIe lane count. The E-2286G offers a more compact, lower-power solution with onboard graphics, but it trails in every recorded Cinebench test. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not an option for either.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2286G has a boost clock of 4.90 GHz, while the Intel Xeon W-2135 has a boost clock of 4.50 GHz.

Q: How do the two compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The W-2135 scores 12205, while the E-2286G scores 11889, giving the W-2135 a 2.6% advantage.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: Both support ECC memory, as recorded in the database.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The W-2135 has a memory bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s, while the E-2286G has 42.7 GB/s, a difference of 42.6 GB/s in favor of the W-2135.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2286G includes HD Graphics P630, while the Intel Xeon W-2135 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores?

A: The E-2286G has an average benchmark score of 3610, and the W-2135 has an average of 3530.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data shows a consistent pattern. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the W-2135 scores 1230 against the E-2286G's 1198, a delta of 2.6% in favor of the W-2135. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the W-2135 scores 173 versus 168, a 2.9% lead. Moving to Cinebench R20, the W-2135 takes multi-core with 5126 versus 4993 (2.6% delta) and single-core with 723 versus 704 (2.6% delta). The same 2.6% margin appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core (12205 versus 11889) and single-core (1723 versus 1678).

The largest relative win for the W-2135 is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the 2.9% delta represents a 5-point difference. All other tests show a 2.6% delta, which is a narrow but reproducible gap. The E-2286G's higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz does not translate into a win in any single-core test, as the W-2135's lower clock of 4.50 GHz still produces higher scores. This suggests that the W-2135's architecture, with its larger L2 cache and quad-channel memory subsystem, compensates for the clock deficit.

When comparing against their nearest rivals in the database, the E-2286G sits at the 55th percentile of all CPUs with a score of 3610, nearly identical to the Intel Xeon E5-2678 v3 at 3608 (0.1% delta) and the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 1700 at 3613 (negative 0.1% delta). The W-2135 also sits at the 55th percentile with a score of 3530, matching the Intel Core i3-12300 at 3532 (0% delta) and the Intel Core i5-10600K at 3533 (negative 0.1% delta). Both processors are firmly in the mid-range of the database's CPU distribution.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The E-2286G has a base clock of 4.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz, while the W-2135 has a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. The TDP differs substantially: 95 watts for the E-2286G versus 140 watts for the W-2135. Their sockets are different as well: Socket 1151 for the E-2286G and Socket 2066 for the W-2135.

Cache configurations differ in L2 and L3. The E-2286G has 256 KB L2 per core and 12 MB shared L3, while the W-2135 has 1 MB L2 per core and 8.25 MB shared L3. Both have 64 KB L1 per core. Memory support is dual-channel DDR4 with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth for the E-2286G, versus quad-channel DDR4 with 85.3 GB/s for the W-2135. PCIe lane counts also differ: 16 lanes for the E-2286G and 48 lanes for the W-2135, both Gen 3.

The E-2286G includes integrated HD Graphics P630, while the W-2135 has no integrated graphics. Both support ECC memory and are end-of-life products. The E-2286G has a launch MSRP of $450, and the W-2135 has a launch MSRP of $835. The die sizes are 154 mm² for the E-2286G and 484 mm² for the W-2135, reflecting the larger memory controller and I/O complex of the latter. The release dates differ as well, with the E-2286G released in May 2019 and the W-2135 in August 2017.