CPU Comparison

The Intel Xeon E-2288G and Intel Xeon E-2378 are both 8-core, 16-thread server/workstation processors, but they belong to different generations of Intel’s Xeon E lineup. The E-2288G is a Coffee Lake part from the E-2200 series, while the E-2378 is a Rocket Lake part from the E-2300 series. Benchmark data shows the older E-2288G consistently edges out the newer E-2378 across every single tested workload, albeit by narrow margins.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The E-2288G wins all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons, but the victories are slim. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the E-2288G scores 1493 against the E-2378’s 1474, a 1.3% advantage. The single-core result in the same test is closer still: 210 versus 208, a 1% lead. Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds, the E-2288G posts 6223 in multi-core versus 6145 for the E-2378, again a 1.3% gap, and 878 versus 867 in single-core, also 1.3% ahead.

The largest absolute difference appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the E-2288G scores 14817 and the E-2378 scores 14633. That 184-point gap translates to a 1.3% delta, matching the other multi-core results. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the E-2288G’s 2091 beats the E-2378’s 2065 by the same 1.3%. Across all six tests, the deltaPct never exceeds 1.3%, and the E-2288G’s win margin is remarkably consistent.

Looking at the overall average benchmark score, the E-2288G averages 4373, while the E-2378 averages 4232. That places the E-2288G in the 58th percentile of all CPUs, one point above the E-2378’s 57th percentile. The E-2288G’s nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 7232P (avg score 4354, deltaPct 0.4%), the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 4750GE (4411, -0.9%), the Intel Core i7-7820X (4321, 1.2%), and the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5750G (4296, 1.8%). The E-2378, by contrast, sits near the Intel Core i7-1265U (4248, -0.4%), Intel Core i5-12500T (4216, 0.4%), Intel Xeon W-2140B (4272, -0.9%), and Intel Core i5-11500H (4187, 1.1%).

The data indicates that the E-2288G is faster in every measured scenario, but the margins are thin enough that real-world differences would likely be imperceptible in most workloads. The E-2288G’s higher base clock of 3.70 GHz and boost clock of 5.00 GHz, versus 2.60 GHz and 4.80 GHz for the E-2378, explain its consistent lead in both single- and multi-threaded tests.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge significantly in architecture despite sharing the same 14 nm process node and Intel foundry. The E-2288G uses Coffee Lake (codename Coffee Lake-S WS) from the Xeon E (Coffee Lake) generation, while the E-2378 uses Rocket Lake (codename Rocket Lake-E) from the Xeon E (Rocket Lake-E) generation. This generational shift brings notable changes to the core design.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The E-2288G has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, while the E-2378 increases those to 80 KB and 512 KB per core, respectively. Both share 16 MB of L3 cache. The die size also grows from 180 mm² on the E-2288G to 276 mm² on the E-2378, reflecting the newer architecture’s larger footprint.

Memory support sees a bandwidth improvement. Both support DDR4 with dual-channel memory buses, but the E-2378’s memory bandwidth is rated at 51.2 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s for the E-2288G. PCIe capabilities also improve: the E-2288G offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the E-2378 provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). Both support ECC memory.

A key differentiator is integrated graphics. The E-2288G includes HD Graphics P630, while the E-2378 has no integrated graphics at all. The E-2288G uses the Intel Socket 1151 platform, whereas the E-2378 uses Intel Socket 1200. Power consumption favors the newer part: the E-2378 has a 65 W TDP against the E-2288G’s 95 W TDP.

Production status also differs. The E-2288G is end-of-life, released on 2019-05-28, while the E-2378 remains active, released on 2021-09-07. The E-2288G’s launch MSRP is $539, while the E-2378’s is $362. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and their part numbers are SRFB3 and SRKN4, respectively.

The Verdict

From the benchmark data alone, the Intel Xeon E-2288G is the faster processor. It wins all six head-to-head tests, with a 1.3% advantage in five of them and a 1% edge in Cinebench R15 single-core. Its higher clock speeds, 3.70 GHz base and 5.00 GHz boost, give it a clear performance edge over the E-2378’s 2.60 GHz base and 4.80 GHz boost. The E-2288G also holds a higher average benchmark score (4373 versus 4232) and a higher percentile ranking (58th versus 57th).

However, the E-2378 is not without merit. Its 65 W TDP makes it substantially more power-efficient than the E-2288G’s 95 W TDP. It offers faster memory bandwidth (51.2 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s), more PCIe Gen 4 lanes (20 versus Gen 3’s 16), and a larger L2 cache per core (512 KB versus 256 KB). It is also an active product, while the E-2288G is end-of-life.

For users prioritizing raw compute performance, the E-2288G is the clear choice based on benchmarks. For those building new systems where power draw, platform longevity, and modern I/O matter more than a 1.3% performance difference, the E-2378 is the more sensible option. The data does not support claiming the E-2378 is faster, it simply is not, but it does offer architectural advantages that may matter in specific deployments.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2288G wins all multi-core tests. It scores 1493 versus 1474 in Cinebench R15, 6223 versus 6145 in R20, and 14817 versus 14633 in R23. Each win is a 1.3% margin.

Q: How do the single-core scores compare?

A: The E-2288G leads in every single-core test as well. It posts 210 versus 208 in Cinebench R15 (1% delta), 878 versus 867 in R20 (1.3%), and 2091 versus 2065 in R23 (1.3%).

Q: What are the clock speed differences?

A: The E-2288G has a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The E-2378 has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the E-2288G and the E-2378 support ECC memory. Both use DDR4 with dual-channel memory buses.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the E-2288G includes integrated graphics, specifically HD Graphics P630. The E-2378 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The E-2288G has a TDP of 95 W, while the E-2378 has a TDP of 65 W. The E-2378 is the more power-efficient part.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Xeon E-2288G, For raw compute performance: The data is unambiguous. The E-2288G wins every single benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, with a 1.3% lead in five tests and a 1% lead in the remaining one. Its higher base and boost clocks (3.70 GHz and 5.00 GHz) drive these results. The E-2288G also holds a higher average benchmark score (4373) and a better percentile ranking (58th) than the E-2378. For workloads that are purely compute-bound and where every bit of performance counts, the E-2288G is the winner.

Intel Xeon E-2378, For platform modernity and efficiency: While the E-2378 loses every benchmark, it wins on architecture. Its 65 W TDP is significantly lower than the E-2288G’s 95 W, making it better suited for power-constrained environments. It doubles the L2 cache per core (512 KB versus 256 KB), offers faster memory bandwidth (51.2 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s), and provides PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes versus Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The E-2378 is also an active product, whereas the E-2288G is end-of-life. For new server or workstation builds where power efficiency, modern I/O, and ongoing availability are priorities, the E-2378 is the better fit.

Tiebreaker, Integrated graphics and sockets: The E-2288G is the only option with integrated graphics (HD Graphics P630), which could eliminate the need for a discrete GPU in basic display or troubleshooting scenarios. However, the E-2378 uses the newer Intel Socket 1200 platform, while the E-2288G is on the older Socket 1151. The choice ultimately depends on whether the user values the E-2288G’s slight performance edge or the E-2378’s architectural advantages and lower power draw.