Intel Xeon E-2386G vs Intel Xeon W-1290 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data presents a clear and consistent picture. Across all six recorded Cinebench tests, the Intel Xeon W-1290 wins outright. The wins are narrow but uniform, with deltas ranging from 2.7% to 3.0% in favor of the W-1290. There is no test in the database where the Xeon E-2386G takes the lead.

For multi-threaded workloads, the W-1290 benefits from its 10 cores and 20 threads against the E-2386G's 6 cores and 12 threads. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the W-1290 scores 17054 versus 16592 for the E-2386G, a 2.8% advantage. Similar margins appear in Cinebench R20 multi-core (7162 versus 6968, a 2.8% delta) and Cinebench R15 multi-core (1718 versus 1672, a 2.8% delta). The consistency of these numbers suggests the W-1290's additional cores translate into reliably higher throughput for heavily parallel rendering tasks.

For single-threaded performance, the W-1290 also leads, though the gap is slightly wider in percentage terms. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 242 versus 235, a 3.0% delta. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 1010 versus 983, a 2.7% delta. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 2407 versus 2342, a 2.8% delta. The W-1290's 5.20 GHz boost clock edge over the E-2386G's 5.10 GHz likely explains this small but consistent single-thread advantage.

Where the E-2386G does distinguish itself is in platform features. It supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), whereas the W-1290 supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The E-2386G also has higher memory bandwidth at 51.2 GB/s versus 46.9 GB/s. These differences do not show up in Cinebench scores, but they matter for I/O-bound workloads and memory-intensive applications.

The average benchmark score in the database places the W-1290 at 4932 and the E-2386G at 4799. Both processors sit at the 59th percentile among all CPUs tracked. The nearest rivals for the W-1290 include the AMD Ryzen 7 4700G (average score 4949, 0.3% higher) and the Intel Xeon Gold 5315Y (average score 4887, 0.9% lower). The E-2386G's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X (average score 4807, 0.2% higher) and the Intel Xeon W-1290E (average score 4775, 0.5% lower). These neighboring scores place both chips in the same performance tier, with the W-1290 slightly ahead on average.

The Verdict

The data directs a straightforward conclusion: the Intel Xeon W-1290 is the faster processor in every benchmark test recorded. For users whose priority is raw Cinebench performance, the W-1290 is the choice. It wins all six head-to-head comparisons, and its average benchmark score of 4932 exceeds the E-2386G's 4799 by roughly 2.8%.

That said, the E-2386G remains relevant for specific workstation configurations. Its PCIe Gen 4 support with 20 lanes provides double the bandwidth of the W-1290's PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The E-2386G also offers higher memory bandwidth (51.2 GB/s versus 46.9 GB/s). For systems that rely heavily on fast storage, GPU connectivity, or memory throughput, these platform-level features may offset the small Cinebench deficit.

The E-2386G also runs at a higher base clock (3.50 GHz versus 3.20 GHz) and has a lower launch MSRP ($450 versus $498). The W-1290 has a higher boost clock (5.20 GHz versus 5.10 GHz) and more cores. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not a differentiator.

In short, the W-1290 wins on benchmark scores. The E-2386G wins on platform features. The final pick depends on whether the workload is dominated by CPU rendering or by PCIe and memory bandwidth. For pure compute, the recorded data favors the W-1290 without exception.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results in the database are remarkable for their consistency. Every test shows the W-1290 winning by a margin between 2.7% and 3.0%. There is no single test where the E-2386G closes the gap or overtakes.

Starting with Cinebench R15, the W-1290 scores 1718 in multi-core against 1672 for the E-2386G. The delta is 2.8%. In single-core, the W-1290 scores 242 against 235, a 3.0% delta. These are the closest margins in the entire comparison, yet they still favor the W-1290.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core scores are 7162 for the W-1290 and 6968 for the E-2386G. The delta is again 2.8%. The single-core scores are 1010 and 983, respectively, a 2.7% delta. The pattern holds: the W-1290 leads by roughly the same percentage regardless of workload.

Cinebench R23 shows the largest absolute differences. The W-1290 scores 17054 in multi-core versus 16592 for the E-2386G, a 462-point gap that translates to 2.8%. In single-core, the scores are 2407 and 2342, a 65-point gap at 2.8%. These are the most demanding tests in the database, and the W-1290 maintains its advantage.

The most notable observation is the narrowness of the margins. The W-1290 has 10 cores versus 6 cores for the E-2386G, a 66% core advantage. Yet the multi-core score difference is only 2.8%. This suggests the E-2386G's higher base clock (3.50 GHz versus 3.20 GHz) and more modern architecture (Rocket Lake-E versus Comet Lake) help it compensate for its lower core count in Cinebench's scaling behavior. Still, the data shows the W-1290 ahead in every recorded test, and the wins total six to zero.

Looking at the broader context, the W-1290's average benchmark score of 4932 places it near the AMD Ryzen 7 4700G (4949) and slightly above the Intel Xeon Gold 5315Y (4887). The E-2386G's average score of 4799 sits near the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X (4807) and the Intel Xeon W-1290E (4775). Both chips occupy similar performance bands, with the W-1290 roughly 2.8% higher on average.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most benchmarks in the head-to-head comparison?

A: The Intel Xeon W-1290 wins all six recorded Cinebench tests. The E-2386G has zero wins in the head-to-head data.

Q: How large is the performance gap in multi-core workloads?

A: The W-1290 leads by 2.8% in Cinebench R15 multi-core (1718 versus 1672), Cinebench R20 multi-core (7162 versus 6968), and Cinebench R23 multi-core (17054 versus 16592).

Q: What is the single-core performance difference?

A: The W-1290 leads by 3.0% in Cinebench R15 single-core (242 versus 235), 2.7% in Cinebench R20 single-core (1010 versus 983), and 2.8% in Cinebench R23 single-core (2407 versus 2342).

Q: Do the two processors support the same PCIe standard?

A: No. The W-1290 supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the E-2386G supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only).

Q: Which processor has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The E-2386G has higher memory bandwidth at 51.2 GB/s, compared to 46.9 GB/s for the W-1290. Both use dual-channel DDR4 and support ECC memory.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The W-1290 has an average benchmark score of 4932, and the E-2386G has an average benchmark score of 4799. Both sit at the 59th percentile among all CPUs tracked in the database.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations, which explains several key architectural differences. The W-1290 is based on Comet Lake, built on a 14 nm process with a die size of 206 mm². The E-2386G is based on Rocket Lake-E, also on a 14 nm process but with a larger die size of 276 mm². Both are manufactured by Intel.

The core configurations differ substantially. The W-1290 has 10 cores and 20 threads, while the E-2386G has 6 cores and 12 threads. The W-1290's base clock is 3.20 GHz with a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The E-2386G has a higher base clock of 3.50 GHz but a slightly lower boost clock of 5.10 GHz. The W-1290 has a TDP of 80 watts, while the E-2386G has a TDP of 95 watts.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The W-1290 has 64 KB of L1 cache and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, with a 20 MB shared L3 cache. The E-2386G has 80 KB of L1 cache and 512 KB of L2 cache per core, with a 12 MB shared L3 cache. The larger per-core caches on the E-2386G reflect its newer architecture, but the W-1290's larger shared L3 cache gives it an advantage in total cache capacity.

Memory support is similar in type: both use DDR4 with dual-channel memory buses and support ECC memory. The E-2386G has higher memory bandwidth at 51.2 GB/s versus 46.9 GB/s. The PCIe implementation differs significantly: the W-1290 uses PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while the E-2386G uses PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes.

Both processors include integrated graphics. The W-1290 has Intel UHD Graphics P630, while the E-2386G has UHD Graphics P750. Both are intended for the server and workstation market segment, and both use the Intel Socket 1200. Neither has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not supported.

The release dates differ by over a year. The W-1290 launched on May 12, 2020, with a launch MSRP of $498. The E-2386G launched on September 7, 2021, with a launch MSRP of $450. Both are still marked as active production parts.

The part numbers are SRH94 for the W-1290 and SRKN0 for the E-2386G. Both are single-socket server processors with ECC support, making them suitable for reliability-focused workstation builds.