CPU Comparison

# Intel Xeon W-2140B vs Intel Xeon E-2378

The Intel Xeon W-2140B and Intel Xeon E-2378 are both 8-core, 16-thread server/workstation processors from Intel, but they represent two very different generations and platform philosophies. The W-2140B, launched in December 2017, is a Skylake-W part built for the high-end Socket 2066 platform with quad-channel memory, while the E-2378, released in September 2021, is a Rocket Lake-E chip on the mainstream Socket 1200 platform. Benchmark data shows the W-2140B edges out the E-2378 in every single test, but the margins are incredibly thin, never exceeding 0.5%. The W-2140B holds a 0.9% average benchmark lead overall (4272 vs 4232), yet the E-2378 counters with a much higher boost clock, newer PCIe generation, and a dramatically lower TDP.

Where Each One Wins

Looking purely at the head-to-head benchmark results, the W-2140B wins all six tests. It scores 1480 in Cinebench R15 multi-core versus 1474 for the E-2378, a 0.4% margin. In single-core R15, it wins 209 to 208, a 0.5% edge. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20: 6170 vs 6145 multi-core (0.4%) and 871 vs 867 single-core (0.5%). In Cinebench R23, the W-2140B takes multi-core 14692 to 14633 (0.4%) and single-core 2074 to 2065 (0.4%). The W-2140B also holds a Geekbench multi-core score of 7381 and single-core of 1299, though the E-2378 has no Geekbench results listed.

But the story is not simply about who wins the benchmarks. The E-2378 wins in platform efficiency. Its 65W TDP is less than the W-2140B's 120W TDP, a massive difference for dense server deployments where thermal headroom and power budgets are constrained. The E-2378 is also an active product with a $362 launch MSRP, while the W-2140B is end-of-life with no launch MSRP listed. For workloads that are memory-bandwidth sensitive, the W-2140B's quad-channel DDR4 interface delivering 85.3 GB/s is a clear advantage over the E-2378's dual-channel 51.2 GB/s. The W-2140B also offers 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes versus 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes on the E-2378, more lanes, albeit an older generation.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different architectural families. The W-2140B is built on Skylake-W, Intel's 14nm architecture designed for high-core-count workstation and server parts. Its die size is 484 mm², reflecting the larger silicon footprint of the Skylake-W design. The E-2378 uses Rocket Lake-E, also on Intel's 14nm process, but with a much smaller 276 mm² die. Both are manufactured by Intel on the same 14nm node, but the similarities end there.

Cache configurations differ notably. The W-2140B has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 1 MB of L2 per core, with 11 MB of shared L3. The E-2378 has 80 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. This means the E-2378 has more L1 and L3 cache per core, but half the L2 cache per core compared to the W-2140B. The total L3 advantage for the E-2378 is significant, 16 MB versus 11 MB, which can help in workloads with moderate working sets that fit in L3.

The memory controllers also differ. The W-2140B supports quad-channel DDR4 with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth, while the E-2378 is dual-channel with 51.2 GB/s. Both support ECC memory, which is critical for server reliability. The PCIe interfaces are different generations: the W-2140B provides 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), while the E-2378 offers 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes (CPU only). Gen 4 doubles the per-lane bandwidth of Gen 3, so the E-2378's fewer lanes may actually provide comparable aggregate bandwidth for typical expansion needs, but the W-2140B supports far more devices simultaneously.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results show a remarkably consistent pattern: the W-2140B wins every test by roughly half a percent. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the W-2140B scores 1480 against 1474 for the E-2378, a 0.4% delta. Single-core R15 is 209 versus 208, a 0.5% margin. The R20 results follow suit, 6170 versus 6145 multi-core (0.4%) and 871 versus 867 single-core (0.5%). Cinebench R23 shows 14692 versus 14633 multi-core (0.4%) and 2074 versus 2065 single-core (0.4%).

These margins are within run-to-run variance for most benchmark suites. The W-2140B's base clock of 3.20 GHz is higher than the E-2378's 2.60 GHz, which explains its slight edge in all-core workloads. However, the E-2378 has a higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz versus 4.20 GHz on the W-2140B, which should give it an advantage in lightly-threaded tasks. Yet the single-core benchmark results still show the W-2140B ahead, 209 vs 208 in R15, 871 vs 867 in R20, 2074 vs 2065 in R23. This suggests the Skylake-W architecture extracts more performance per clock than Rocket Lake-E in these specific tests, despite the latter's newer design and higher peak frequency.

The average benchmark score across all tests reinforces the close nature of this matchup. The W-2140B averages 4272, while the E-2378 averages 4232, a 0.9% gap. Both chips sit in the 57th-58th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The W-2140B's nearest rivals include the Xeon E5-4669 v3 (avg 4285, -0.3% delta), Ryzen 7 PRO 5750G (avg 4296, -0.6%), Core i7-1265U (avg 4248, +0.6%), and the E-2378 itself (avg 4232, +0.9%). The E-2378's nearest rivals include the Core i7-1265U (avg 4248, -0.4%), Core i5-12500T (avg 4216, +0.4%), the W-2140B (avg 4272, -0.9%), and Core i5-11500H (avg 4187, +1.1%).

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several key specifications. The W-2140B has a base clock of 3.20 GHz versus 2.60 GHz on the E-2378, but the E-2378 boosts higher at 4.80 GHz versus 4.20 GHz. TDP is a major differentiator: the W-2140B draws 120W while the E-2378 is rated at only 65W, nearly half the power envelope. The sockets are incompatible: the W-2140B uses Intel Socket 2066, while the E-2378 uses Intel Socket 1200.

Memory support differs in width: the W-2140B is quad-channel with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth, the E-2378 is dual-channel with 51.2 GB/s. Both support DDR4 and ECC. PCIe capabilities diverge: the W-2140B offers 48 Gen 3 lanes, the E-2378 offers 20 Gen 4 lanes. Cache sizes differ as well, the W-2140B has 64 KB L1 per core and 1 MB L2 per core, while the E-2378 has 80 KB L1 per core and 512 KB L2 per core; the E-2378 has more L3 at 16 MB shared versus 11 MB shared. The die sizes are 484 mm² for the W-2140B and 276 mm² for the E-2378. Production status differs: the W-2140B is end-of-life, the E-2378 is active. The E-2378 has a launch MSRP of $362; the W-2140B has no listed launch MSRP. Part numbers are SR3LK for the W-2140B and SRKN4 for the E-2378. Both are locked multipliers and have no integrated graphics.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core benchmarks?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2140B wins all multi-core tests, but by margins of only 0.4%. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 14692 versus 14633 for the E-2378. Its average benchmark score is 4272 versus 4232 for the E-2378, a 0.9% overall lead.

Q: Does the E-2378 have a higher boost clock?

A: Yes. The E-2378 boosts to 4.80 GHz, while the W-2140B tops out at 4.20 GHz. However, the W-2140B has a higher base clock at 3.20 GHz versus 2.60 GHz, and it still wins single-core tests despite the E-2378's boost advantage.

Q: How do their memory systems compare?

A: The W-2140B supports quad-channel DDR4 with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth, while the E-2378 is dual-channel with 51.2 GB/s. Both support ECC memory. The W-2140B's memory bandwidth is substantially higher, which benefits memory-intensive workloads.

Q: Which processor is more power-efficient?

A: The E-2378 has a 65W TDP, which is significantly lower than the W-2140B's 120W TDP. This makes the E-2378 better suited for power-constrained environments, despite its slightly lower benchmark scores.

Q: Are these processors on the same socket?

A: No. The W-2140B uses Intel Socket 2066, while the E-2378 uses Intel Socket 1200. They are not interchangeable, and each requires its own platform with matching motherboard support.

Q: What is the production status of each chip?

A: The W-2140B is end-of-life, having been released on December 20, 2017. The E-2378 is an active product, released on September 7, 2021, with a launch MSRP of $362. The E-2378 also supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the W-2140B provides 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes.