CPU Comparison
Intel Xeon E-2374G
Xeon E5-1680 v3
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Xeon E-2374G vs Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3
The Intel Xeon E-2374G and Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 are two server-class processors from different eras, and their benchmark results reveal a surprisingly tight contest. The E-2374G, a 4-core Rocket Lake part from 2021, edges out the 8-core Haswell-EP E5-1680 v3 from 2014 in every single Cinebench test recorded, though by the narrowest of margins. The data shows a clean sweep for the newer chip, but the older processor's additional cores keep the overall average benchmark scores nearly identical, making the choice between them heavily dependent on workload characteristics beyond raw rendering performance.
Where Each One Wins
Based strictly on the head-to-head Cinebench results, the Intel Xeon E-2374G wins every single benchmark category. It takes the multicore tests with scores of 1142 in Cinebench R15, 4760 in R20, and 11335 in R23, against the E5-1680 v3's 1137, 4741, and 11289 respectively. The single-core tests tell the same story, with the E-2374G posting 161 in R15, 672 in R20, and 1600 in R23, versus 160, 669, and 1593 for the older chip. This sweep gives the E-2374G a perfect 6-0 win record in the head-to-head comparison.
However, the margin of victory is remarkably thin in every case, with the deltaPct never exceeding 0.6%. The E-2374G wins the R15 multicore test by just 0.4%, and the R20 single-core test by the same 0.4% margin. This indicates that while the E-2374G has the edge in these specific rendering workloads, the E5-1680 v3 is not far behind despite its significantly older architecture. The E5-1680 v3's advantage lies in its core count and platform features, not in the Cinebench results. Its 8 cores and 16 threads, combined with a quad-channel memory bus and 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, make it a more capable platform for heavily threaded tasks that scale beyond what the benchmarks here capture. The E-2374G counters with a smaller 4-core/8-thread design but a much higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz compared to the E5-1680 v3's 3.80 GHz, which explains its single-core dominance.
The Verdict
The benchmark data indicates that the Intel Xeon E-2374G is the outright winner in every measured Cinebench test. Anyone looking purely at these rendering scores should choose the E-2374G, as it offers a slight but consistent performance advantage across both single-core and multi-core workloads. Its 0.4% to 0.6% lead in each test is small, but it is uniform and unbroken.
Yet the E5-1680 v3 should not be dismissed. The data shows it is effectively tied in average benchmark score, with the E-2374G at 3278 and the E5-1680 v3 at 3265, a difference of only 0.4%. The older chip's 8 cores and 16 threads provide a structural advantage for workloads that can utilize them, even if Cinebench does not fully reflect that here. Its quad-channel memory support provides 68.3 GB/s of bandwidth versus the E-2374G's 51.2 GB/s, and its 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes offer more expansion capability than the E-2374G's 20 Gen 4 lanes. The E5-1680 v3 also has an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking that the E-2374G does not support. For a workstation handling memory-bandwidth-intensive tasks or running many virtual machines, the E5-1680 v3 is the more sensible choice. The E-2374G is the pick for single-threaded performance and modern platform features, but the E5-1680 v3 remains a viable option for those needing more cores and I/O.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The largest single victory for the E-2374G comes in the Cinebench R15 single-core test, where it scores 161 against the E5-1680 v3's 160, a 0.6% delta. This is the only test where the margin exceeds 0.4%. The R20 single-core test shows a 672 to 669 result, a 0.4% difference, while the R23 single-core test is 1600 versus 1593, also a 0.4% delta. These single-core results align with the clock speed disparity, as the E-2374G boosts to 5.00 GHz versus the E5-1680 v3's 3.80 GHz.
The multicore results are equally close. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the E-2374G scores 1142 against 1137, a 0.4% margin. The R20 multicore test shows 4760 versus 4741, again a 0.4% delta. The R23 multicore test is the closest in absolute terms, with the E-2374G at 11335 and the E5-1680 v3 at 11289, a difference of just 46 points or 0.4%. This is notable because the E5-1680 v3 has twice the core count and thread count. The fact that the E-2374G manages to win these multicore tests despite having only 4 cores and 8 threads demonstrates the significant IPC improvements in the Rocket Lake architecture over Haswell, combined with the much higher boost clock. The E5-1680 v3's 8 cores at 3.80 GHz simply cannot overcome the E-2374G's 4 cores at 5.00 GHz in these specific workloads.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?
A: The Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Xeon E-2374G has 4 cores and 8 threads.
Q: What is the performance difference in single-core Cinebench R23?
A: The Intel Xeon E-2374G scores 1600 in Cinebench R23 single-core, while the Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 scores 1593, giving the E-2374G a 0.4% lead.
Q: Which processor has higher memory bandwidth?
A: The Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 has a quad-channel memory bus providing 68.3 GB/s of bandwidth, while the Intel Xeon E-2374G has a dual-channel bus providing 51.2 GB/s.
Q: Are both processors still in production?
A: No, the Intel Xeon E-2374G is listed as active in production, while the Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 is marked as end-of-life.
Q: Which processor supports more PCIe lanes?
A: The Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 supports 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, while the Intel Xeon E-2374G supports 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes.
Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?
A: The Intel Xeon E-2374G has an average benchmark score of 3278, and the Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 has an average score of 3265, a difference of 0.4%.
Architecture Differences
The two processors come from vastly different architectural eras. The Intel Xeon E-2374G is built on Rocket Lake, a 14 nm process, and belongs to the Xeon E-2300 series. It features 4 cores and 8 threads with a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. Its cache layout includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The die size is 276 mm². It supports DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, and it includes integrated UHD Graphics P750. The processor uses Intel Socket 1200 and provides 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes. It has a TDP of 80 W and an unlocked multiplier is not available.
The Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 is based on the older Haswell architecture, specifically Haswell-EP, built on a 22 nm process. It packs 8 cores and 16 threads with a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. Its cache structure includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and a much larger 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The die is larger at 356 mm² and contains 2,600 million transistors. It also supports DDR4 memory, but on a quad-channel bus, providing 68.3 GB/s of bandwidth. It does not have integrated graphics. The E5-1680 v3 uses Intel Socket 2011-3 and offers 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. Its TDP is significantly higher at 140 W, and it has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking.
These architectural differences explain the benchmark results. The E-2374G's higher boost clock and newer IPC give it the edge in both single-core and multicore Cinebench tests, despite having half the cores. The E5-1680 v3's advantages lie in its larger L3 cache, higher memory bandwidth, more PCIe lanes, and overclocking capability, which are not reflected in the Cinebench scores but matter for other server and workstation workloads. The E-2374G also features a smaller process node, 14 nm versus 22 nm, and supports PCIe Gen 4 versus Gen 3, offering a more modern platform foundation.