CPU Comparison

The Intel Xeon E-2288G and Intel Xeon W-2140B are both 8-core, 16-thread server/workstation processors, yet benchmark results show a decisive overall winner. The E-2288G wins all eight head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with its largest advantage coming in Geekbench single-core performance, where it leads by 25.6%. In multi-threaded workloads, the margin narrows considerably, but the E-2288G still edges out the W-2140B in every Cinebench test. The data indicates that for users prioritizing raw per-core speed and general application responsiveness, the E-2288G is the superior choice. However, the W-2140B offers a fundamentally different platform advantage with quad-channel memory and 48 PCIe lanes, which are not reflected in the provided benchmark scores. The verdict from the data is clear: the E-2288G is the performance leader in CPU-centric tests, while the W-2140B is positioned for systems needing extensive I/O and memory bandwidth.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the Intel Xeon E-2288G is the recommended processor for workloads that depend on single-threaded performance. Its Geekbench single-core score of 1632 versus the W-2140B’s 1299 represents a substantial 25.6% lead, a gap that will be noticeable in everyday tasks, lightly-threaded applications, and software that relies on high clock speeds. The E-2288G also wins every multi-core test, though by a much smaller margin. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the E-2288G scores 14817 against 14692, a 0.9% difference that is nearly negligible in real-world rendering. The choice becomes a matter of platform priorities. The E-2288G, with its higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz and lower 95W TDP, is the better fit for a compact, power-conscious workstation where CPU speed is the primary concern. The W-2140B, despite losing all benchmarks, is the only option for users who require the Socket 2066 platform’s capabilities: quad-channel DDR4 memory delivering 85.3 GB/s and 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes for expansion. The data suggests that if the workload is purely CPU-bound, pick the E-2288G; if the workload is I/O or memory-bandwidth bound, the W-2140B’s platform is the rational choice, even with its lower benchmark scores.

Architecture Differences

The two processors stem from different architectural generations and physical designs. The E-2288G is based on the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake-S WS codename, built on Intel’s 14 nm process node with a die size of 180 mm². It features 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. Its cache hierarchy includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and a shared 16 MB L3 cache. The W-2140B is a Skylake part (Skylake-W codename), also on a 14 nm node, but with a much larger die at 484 mm². It matches the core and thread count, but its clocks are lower: 3.20 GHz base and 4.20 GHz boost. The cache layout differs significantly, with the W-2140B providing 1 MB of L2 per core but only 11 MB of shared L3. This larger L2 and smaller L3 configuration reflects a different design philosophy for the Skylake-SP lineage. The E-2288G includes integrated graphics in the form of HD Graphics P630, while the W-2140B has no integrated graphics. Both support ECC memory, but the memory controllers are distinct: the E-2288G uses a dual-channel bus with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth, whereas the W-2140B uses a quad-channel bus with double the bandwidth at 85.3 GB/s. The PCIe connectivity also differs, with the E-2288G providing 16 CPU lanes and the W-2140B offering 48 lanes, both Gen 3.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2288G has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, which is higher than the W-2140B’s 4.20 GHz. This directly contributes to its significant lead in single-core benchmarks.

Q: Is there a large difference in multi-core rendering performance?

A: No. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the E-2288G scores 14817 versus 14692 for the W-2140B, a difference of only 0.9%. For multi-threaded workloads, the two are effectively tied.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the E-2288G and the W-2140B support ECC memory, making them suitable for workstation and server environments where data integrity is critical.

Q: Which processor provides more PCIe lanes for expansion cards?

A: The W-2140B offers 48 CPU PCIe Gen 3 lanes, which is three times the 16 lanes provided by the E-2288G. This makes the W-2140B better suited for systems with multiple GPUs or high-speed storage controllers.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth between the two?

A: The W-2140B has a quad-channel memory bus with a bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s, which is double the 42.7 GB/s of the E-2288G’s dual-channel bus. This is a major platform advantage for the W-2140B in memory-intensive tasks.

Q: Why does the E-2288G win all benchmarks despite the W-2140B having a larger die?

A: The E-2288G’s higher clock speeds (3.70 GHz base, 5.00 GHz boost) and newer Coffee Lake architecture provide superior per-core performance. The larger die of the W-2140B (484 mm²) is used for additional memory channels, PCIe lanes, and L2 cache, not for higher CPU clock speeds.

Specification Differences

The core specifications diverge in several key areas. The base clock differs, with the E-2288G at 3.70 GHz and the W-2140B at 3.20 GHz. The boost clock shows an even larger gap: 5.00 GHz for the E-2288G versus 4.20 GHz for the W-2140B. Thermal design power is also different, with the E-2288G rated at 95W and the W-2140B at 120W. The socket types are incompatible: the E-2288G uses Intel Socket 1151, while the W-2140B uses Intel Socket 2066. The L2 cache differs per core, with the E-2288G having 256 KB and the W-2140B having 1 MB. The L3 cache is larger on the E-2288G at 16 MB shared, compared to 11 MB shared on the W-2140B. The memory bus is dual-channel on the E-2288G and quad-channel on the W-2140B, resulting in memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s versus 85.3 GB/s. PCIe lanes are 16 on the E-2288G and 48 on the W-2140B. The E-2288G has integrated graphics (HD Graphics P630), while the W-2140B has none. The die size is significantly different: 180 mm² for the E-2288G and 484 mm² for the W-2140B. The release dates also differ, with the W-2140B launching in December 2017 and the E-2288G in May 2019.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a clean sweep for the E-2288G, but the margins tell a story of two different performance profiles. In the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the E-2288G scores 1493 against 1480 for the W-2140B, a 0.9% lead. The single-core R15 test is similarly close, with scores of 210 and 209, a 0.5% difference. Moving to Cinebench R20, the E-2288G again wins multi-core by 0.9% (6223 vs 6170) and single-core by 0.8% (878 vs 871). The pattern continues in Cinebench R23, where the E-2288G posts 14817 in multi-core and 2091 in single-core, versus 14692 and 2074 for the W-2140B, with deltas of 0.9% and 0.8% respectively. These Cinebench results indicate that while the E-2288G is consistently ahead, the actual performance difference in render workloads is minimal. The Geekbench tests reveal a different story. In Geekbench multi-core, the E-2288G scores 7639 versus 7381 for the W-2140B, a 3.5% advantage. The single-core Geekbench test shows the most dramatic gap: the E-2288G scores 1632, which is 25.6% higher than the W-2140B’s 1299. This large delta in single-core performance is the defining characteristic of this comparison, driven by the E-2288G’s 5.00 GHz boost clock versus the W-2140B’s 4.20 GHz.

Where Each One Wins

The E-2288G wins all eight benchmark comparisons, making it the clear choice for CPU-bound workloads. Its wins are most pronounced in single-threaded applications, as evidenced by the 25.6% lead in Geekbench single-core. This translates to faster performance in software that relies on a few high-speed cores, such as legacy applications, scripting, and certain database queries. The E-2288G also holds a slight edge in multi-threaded tasks, with consistent 0.9% wins across all Cinebench versions, meaning it is marginally faster in rendering and video encoding despite the W-2140B’s larger L2 cache. The E-2288G’s lower 95W TDP and integrated graphics make it a more efficient, self-contained solution for a single-socket workstation. The W-2140B, while losing every CPU benchmark, wins in platform capabilities. Its quad-channel memory bus provides 85.3 GB/s of bandwidth, double that of the E-2288G, which is a decisive advantage for workloads that stream large datasets, such as in-memory analytics or high-resolution video processing. Its 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes allow for extensive expansion, supporting multiple discrete GPUs, NVMe storage arrays, or high-speed network cards. For a system requiring maximum memory throughput and I/O connectivity, the W-2140B is the superior platform, despite its lower benchmark scores in CPU-centric tests. The data shows a trade-off: raw CPU speed favors the E-2288G, while system bandwidth and expansion favor the W-2140B.