Intel Xeon E-2378G vs Intel Xeon W-1290P Comparison

The Intel Xeon W-1290P and Intel Xeon E-2378G are both server-class processors for the Intel Socket 1200 platform, but the data reveals they are clearly positioned for different workloads. The W-1290P is a Comet Lake part with 10 cores, while the E-2378G is a Rocket Lake-E part with 8 cores. Benchmark results show a consistent, but not overwhelming, advantage for the W-1290P across every tested workload, making the choice straightforward for most buyers, though the E-2378G retains key platform advantages in other areas.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clean sweep for the Intel Xeon W-1290P across all six head-to-head benchmark tests. The largest margin appears in both Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core tests, where the W-1290P leads by 5.7% in each case. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the W-1290P scores 1915 against 1811 for the E-2378G, and in R20 multi-core, it scores 7983 against 7549. These results indicate that the extra two cores of the W-1290P provide a measurable, though modest, advantage in heavily threaded rendering workloads.

Single-core performance also favors the W-1290P. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the W-1290P scores 270 versus 255 for the E-2378G, a 5.9% advantage, which is the largest delta in the entire head-to-head set. The R20 single-core test shows the same 5.7% delta as the multi-core tests, with scores of 1126 and 1065 respectively. The Cinebench R23 results continue the trend: the W-1290P scores 19008 in multi-core and 2683 in single-core, while the E-2378G scores 17974 and 2537. The deltas here are 5.8% for both.

The average benchmark score also reflects this gap. The W-1290P has an average score of 5443, while the E-2378G sits at 5199. This places the W-1290P 1.9% ahead of the Intel Core i9-13900TE, 0.3% ahead of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920, and 0.5% behind the AMD EPYC 7351P, according to the nearest rivals data. It is also 2% behind the Intel Core i9-10900X. The E-2378G, by comparison, is 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core i5-13400T, 0.8% behind the Intel Core i9-10850K, 0.8% behind the Intel Core i7-11700B, and 1% behind the Intel Core i5-14401E. Both processors land in the 60th percentile of all CPUs in the database.

Interpretation of these numbers is important. The W-1290P does not crush the E-2378G; it wins consistently by roughly 6% in every test. This suggests that the W-1290P's advantage comes from having two additional cores and a higher boost clock, rather than from any architectural superiority, as both parts are built on older Intel process nodes. The E-2378G, despite losing every benchmark, is competitive enough that the performance gap will rarely be the deciding factor in a purchase decision.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Xeon W-1290P wins every multi-core test. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 19008 against 17974 for the E-2378G, a 5.8% advantage. The R15 and R20 multi-core tests show a 5.7% delta in the same direction.

Q: Does the E-2378G win any benchmark tests?

A: No. The recorded data shows the W-1290P winning all six head-to-head tests, with the E-2378G finishing behind in every Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 workload, both single-core and multi-core.

Q: Are these processors compatible with the same motherboard socket?

A: Yes, both use Intel Socket 1200. However, the W-1290P has a PCIe Gen 3, 16 Lane connection, while the E-2378G offers PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes, so motherboard selection may vary based on which platform features you need.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption?

A: The W-1290P has a TDP of 125 watts, while the E-2378G has a TDP of 80 watts. The E-2378G is the lower-power part by a substantial margin, which could influence cooling and power supply decisions.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the W-1290P and the E-2378G support ECC memory. Both also support DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration, though the E-2378G has a higher memory bandwidth rating of 51.2 GB/s versus 46.9 GB/s for the W-1290P.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The W-1290P boosts to 5.30 GHz, while the E-2378G boosts to 5.10 GHz. The W-1290P also has a higher base clock at 3.70 GHz versus 2.80 GHz for the E-2378G.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel architectures. The W-1290P is built on Comet Lake, while the E-2378G uses Rocket Lake-E. The process nodes differ as well: the W-1290P uses a 10 nm process with a die size of 206 mm², while the E-2378G uses a 14 nm process with a larger die size of 276 mm². Despite the smaller die, the W-1290P packs more cores, 10 versus 8, and more threads, 20 versus 16.

Cache layouts differ considerably. The W-1290P has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, with a shared 20 MB L3 cache. The E-2378G has a larger L1 cache per core at 80 KB and a larger L2 cache per core at 512 KB, but its shared L3 cache is smaller at 16 MB. This means the E-2378G allocates more cache per core for its eight cores, while the W-1290P offers a larger total pool of L3 cache for its ten cores.

The integrated graphics also differ. The W-1290P includes UHD Graphics P630, while the E-2378G includes UHD Graphics P750. Memory support is identical in type, both support DDR4 in a dual-channel configuration, but the bandwidth figures differ: the E-2378G is rated at 51.2 GB/s, while the W-1290P is rated at 46.9 GB/s. PCIe connectivity is another differentiator, the W-1290P provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the E-2378G provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes. The E-2378G is clearly the more modern platform in terms of I/O and memory bandwidth, despite being built on the older 14 nm process.

The market segments also differ according to the data. The W-1290P is listed with a market segment of Mobile, while the E-2378G is listed as Server/Workstation. Even though both are Xeon parts for Socket 1200, the E-2378G is explicitly targeted at server and workstation use, while the W-1290P carries a mobile designation in the database. Both processors are currently listed as Active in production status.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon W-1290P is the faster processor in every recorded test. It wins all six head-to-head benchmarks by margins between 5.7% and 5.9%, and it has a higher average benchmark score of 5443 versus 5199 for the E-2378G. If raw CPU performance is the sole criterion, the W-1290P is the correct choice.

However, the E-2378G is not without merit. It consumes less power with an 80 watt TDP compared to 125 watts for the W-1290P. It also offers a more modern I/O package with PCIe Gen 4 and 20 lanes, versus Gen 3 and 16 lanes, and a higher memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s versus 46.9 GB/s. For workloads that are limited by memory bandwidth or that require the latest PCIe devices, the E-2378G may be the better fit despite its lower benchmark scores.

The choice comes down to priorities. Pick the W-1290P if you need the highest possible compute performance in threaded workloads and can handle the higher power draw. Pick the E-2378G if you value lower power consumption, faster memory bandwidth, and PCIe Gen 4 connectivity more than the roughly 6% CPU performance advantage of the W-1290P. Both parts sit in the 60th percentile of all CPUs in the database, so neither is a slouch, but the data favors the W-1290P for pure processing power.

Specification Differences

The specification differences between the two processors are significant. The W-1290P has 10 cores and 20 threads, while the E-2378G has 8 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are 3.70 GHz for the W-1290P and 2.80 GHz for the E-2378G, and boost clocks are 5.30 GHz and 5.10 GHz, respectively. The TDP is 125 watts for the W-1290P and 80 watts for the E-2378G.

The process node and die size differ: the W-1290P is on 10 nm with a 206 mm² die, while the E-2378G is on 14 nm with a 276 mm² die. Cache configurations are also different, with the W-1290P offering 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core plus 20 MB shared L3, while the E-2378G offers 80 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core plus 16 MB shared L3. Memory bandwidth is higher on the E-2378G at 51.2 GB/s versus 46.9 GB/s. PCIe support goes to the E-2378G with Gen 4 and 20 lanes, while the W-1290P has Gen 3 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics P630 on the W-1290P and UHD Graphics P750 on the E-2378G. The market segments differ: Mobile for the W-1290P, Server/Workstation for the E-2378G. The E-2378G has a launch MSRP of $494, while the W-1290P has a launch MSRP of $539.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon W-1290P wins in all compute benchmarks. It is the better choice for multi-threaded rendering, as shown by its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 19008 versus 17974 for the E-2378G. It also wins in single-threaded tasks, with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2683 versus 2537. For users who run CPU-intensive workloads like video encoding, 3D rendering, or scientific computation, the W-1290P is the stronger part.

The Intel Xeon E-2378G wins in platform features. Its memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s is higher than the W-1290P's 46.9 GB/s, which can benefit memory-bound workloads. Its PCIe Gen 4 support with 20 lanes provides double the bandwidth of the W-1290P's Gen 3 with 16 lanes, making it the better choice for systems with high-speed NVMe drives or modern GPUs. The E-2378G also draws 45 watts less power, with an 80 watt TDP versus 125 watts, making it the better option for power-constrained builds or dense server environments where thermal load matters. It also has a larger L1 and L2 cache per core, which may help in workloads with high per-core cache demands.

In summary, the W-1290P is the performance king in this pairing, winning every benchmark test in the database. The E-2378G is the platform-focused alternative, offering newer I/O, higher memory bandwidth, and lower power consumption at the cost of roughly 6% CPU performance. Choose based on whether your workload is compute-bound or I/O-bound.