CPU Comparison

The Intel Xeon W-2145 and the Intel Xeon E-2356G are both server-class processors, but they represent sharply different design philosophies from different eras. The W-2145 is a Skylake-W part built for high-end workstations, while the E-2356G is a Rocket Lake-E chip aimed at mainstream servers. Benchmark data shows a surprisingly close average performance, with the E-2356G edging out a narrow victory in most compute tests, but the W-2145 delivering a decisive win in at least one major workload. The distinction comes down to core count versus clock speed, and the specific workloads you prioritize.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the head-to-head comparison is the Geekbench multicore score. Here, the Intel Xeon W-2145 posts a score of 8712, which is a massive 20.8% higher than the E-2356G’s 7213. This is the only benchmark where the W-2145 takes the win, and it does so emphatically. The margin suggests that the W-2145’s additional two cores and four threads provide a significant advantage in workloads that scale well across all available processing units.

However, the E-2356G dominates every other benchmark in the comparison, and it does so with consistent, narrow margins. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the E-2356G scores 1575 against the W-2145’s 1542, a 2.1% lead. The single-core R15 test shows a similar gap, with the E-2356G at 222 versus 217, a 2.3% edge. This pattern repeats across the entire Cinebench suite. In R20 multicore, the E-2356G wins 6565 to 6425 (2.1%), and in R20 single-core, it wins 926 to 906 (2.2%). The R23 results are nearly identical in percentage terms: the E-2356G takes multicore 15632 to 15299 and single-core 2206 to 2159, both by 2.1% margins.

The single-core Geekbench result is where the E-2356G’s advantage is most pronounced. It scores 2044, which is 34.2% higher than the W-2145’s 1345. This is a massive gap, far larger than the Cinebench single-core deltas, indicating that the E-2356G’s architecture provides a substantial boost in latency-sensitive, single-threaded tasks. Overall, the E-2356G wins 7 out of 8 head-to-head comparisons, but the W-2145’s single Geekbench multicore victory is so large that it keeps the average benchmark scores nearly identical: 4576 for the W-2145 versus 4548 for the E-2356G, a difference of just 0.6%.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on the same 14 nm process node from Intel, but they diverge significantly in their core architectures. The W-2145 uses the Skylake architecture (specifically Skylake-W), while the E-2356G uses Rocket Lake (Rocket Lake-E). This generational difference is evident in the design choices. The W-2145 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the E-2356G has 6 cores and 12 threads. The W-2145 compensates for its lower clock speeds with more cores; its base clock is 3.70 GHz and boost clock is 4.50 GHz, whereas the E-2356G runs at a 3.20 GHz base but boosts up to 5.00 GHz.

Cache configurations also differ substantially. The W-2145 has a larger L2 cache at 1 MB per core, but a smaller L1 cache at 64 KB per core. The E-2356G flips this, offering 80 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core. For shared L3 cache, the E-2356G has 12 MB, while the W-2145 has 11 MB. The E-2356G’s larger L1 and L3 caches likely contribute to its strong single-core performance, as more data can be stored closer to the execution units.

The memory subsystems are also quite different. The W-2145 supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with a theoretical bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s, while the E-2356G is limited to dual-channel DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth. This gives the W-2145 a significant advantage in memory-heavy workloads. Both support ECC memory, which is critical for server reliability. The PCIe capabilities differ as well; the W-2145 provides 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, while the E-2356G offers 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes. The newer Gen 4 standard on the E-2356G offers higher per-lane bandwidth, but the W-2145 has far more total lanes for expansion.

Other notable differences include socket and integrated graphics. The W-2145 uses Intel Socket 2066, while the E-2356G uses Intel Socket 1200. The E-2356G includes integrated UHD Graphics P750, whereas the W-2145 has no integrated graphics. The W-2145 has a much larger die size at 484 mm², compared to the E-2356G’s 276 mm², reflecting the extra cores and memory controllers. The W-2145 also carries a higher TDP of 140 watts versus 80 watts for the E-2356G, a direct consequence of its additional cores and older architecture.

Where Each One Wins

The data paints a clear picture of distinct strengths. The Intel Xeon E-2356G is the winner for any workload that prioritizes single-threaded performance or lightly threaded tasks. Its 34.2% lead in Geekbench single-core and consistent 2.1-2.3% margins in Cinebench single-core tests make it the superior choice for applications that rely on high clock speeds and efficient instruction execution. The 5.00 GHz boost clock, combined with the newer Rocket Lake architecture and larger L1 cache, gives it a decisive edge in latency-sensitive operations.

The E-2356G also wins all the Cinebench multicore tests, despite having fewer cores. Its 2.1% victory in R15, R20, and R23 multicore suggests that its higher per-core efficiency and 5.00 GHz boost can overcome the W-2145’s two-core advantage in these specific workloads. This is likely because Cinebench scales well with clock speed, and the E-2356G’s superior single-core performance carries over to multicore rendering.

The Intel Xeon W-2145 is the clear winner in Geekbench multicore, with a 20.8% advantage. This benchmark likely leverages the W-2145’s 8 cores and 16 threads more effectively, along with its quad-channel memory bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s. For tasks like video encoding, 3D rendering with certain engines, or scientific simulations that are highly parallel and memory-intensive, the W-2145’s architecture provides a substantial performance boost. Its 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes also make it more suitable for systems with multiple GPUs or high-speed storage arrays, even if the individual lanes are slower than Gen 4.

The Verdict

The choice between these two CPUs depends entirely on your workload profile. The data shows that the Intel Xeon E-2356G is the better all-around performer for most compute tasks. It wins 7 out of 8 benchmarks, including all Cinebench tests and single-core Geekbench. Its 5.00 GHz boost clock and modern Rocket Lake architecture deliver superior performance in everyday server workloads, web serving, and single-threaded applications. The E-2356G also offers integrated graphics, which can be useful for basic display output without a dedicated GPU.

However, the Intel Xeon W-2145 is the right choice if your primary workloads are heavily multithreaded and benefit from high memory bandwidth. Its 20.8% lead in Geekbench multicore is not trivial, and its quad-channel memory subsystem provides 85.3 GB/s of bandwidth, which is 66.6% higher than the E-2356G’s 51.2 GB/s. For data analytics, virtualization with many VMs, or content creation suites that scale beyond 6 cores, the W-2145’s extra cores and memory throughput will pay off. The W-2145 is also the only option here if you need extensive PCIe expansion, offering 48 lanes versus 20.

In terms of production status, the E-2356G is active, while the W-2145 is end-of-life. This favors the E-2356G for new system builds, as it is currently in production. The W-2145’s launch MSRP is $1113, while the E-2356G’s is $311. Both processors sit at the 58th percentile of all CPUs, indicating they offer similar overall performance in the grand scheme of the market. If you need maximum single-thread speed and a modern, active platform, choose the E-2356G. If you need maximum parallel throughput and memory bandwidth, the W-2145 remains a powerful, if older, option.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher single-core performance?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2356G is significantly faster in single-core tests. It leads by 2.3% in Cinebench R15 single-core (222 vs 217) and by a massive 34.2% in Geekbench single-core (2044 vs 1345).

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

A: The E-2356G wins Cinebench R23 multicore with a score of 15632, which is 2.1% higher than the W-2145's score of 15299.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon W-2145 win any benchmark?

A: Yes, the W-2145 wins Geekbench multicore by a wide margin. It scores 8712, which is 20.8% higher than the E-2356G's 7213.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth support?

A: The W-2145 supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with a theoretical bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s. The E-2356G supports dual-channel DDR4 with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon W-2145 and the Intel Xeon E-2356G have ECC memory support.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Xeon E-2356G has integrated graphics, featuring UHD Graphics P750. The Intel Xeon W-2145 does not have integrated graphics.