CPU Comparison

The Intel Xeon E-2388G and the Intel Xeon W-2175 are two server/workstation processors that, despite their differing architectures and launch eras, land in nearly the same performance bracket. The data shows that the E-2388G, a Rocket Lake-E part from 2021, and the W-2175, a Skylake-W part from 2017, are locked in a statistical dead heat across the most common multi-threaded and single-threaded rendering workloads. The average benchmark score for the E-2388G is 5805, while the W-2175 trails by a mere 0.6% with an average of 5770. This near-identical output makes the choice between them a matter of platform features and specific workload nuances rather than raw compute dominance.

Where Each One Wins

The performance split between these two CPUs is remarkably narrow, but the data does reveal distinct areas of advantage. The Intel Xeon W-2175 claims the majority of the benchmark wins, taking 5 out of 6 head-to-head contests. Its victories are consistent across both multi-core and single-core tests in the Cinebench suite, though the margins are razor-thin. In the multi-core tests, the W-2175 edges ahead in Cinebench R15 (2010 vs 2009), R20 (8379 vs 8374), and R23 (19951 vs 19939), each by a deltaPct of -0.1% from the perspective of the E-2388G. This suggests that the W-2175’s higher core count of 14 cores and 28 threads provides a slight, almost negligible, advantage in heavily threaded workloads that can scale across all available cores.

Conversely, the Intel Xeon E-2388G’s single win comes in the Cinebench R15 single-core test, where it scores 283, tying the W-2175 but being awarded the win. This puts the E-2388G in a position where its architectural advantages, specifically its higher 5.10 GHz boost clock compared to the W-2175’s 4.30 GHz, should theoretically give it a lead in lightly threaded tasks. However, the data shows that in the newer Cinebench R20 and R23 single-core tests, the W-2175 actually takes the win by a single point (1182 vs 1181 and 2816 vs 2814, respectively). This indicates that the E-2388G’s single-core advantage is not a clear-cut victory in all scenarios, and the two processors are effectively interchangeable for single-threaded performance.

The E-2388G does hold a distinct advantage in platform-level features that are not captured in the Cinebench scores. It supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the W-2175 is limited to PCIe Gen 3 with 48 lanes. For workloads that depend on high-bandwidth storage or modern GPUs, the E-2388G’s newer PCIe standard is a significant win. Additionally, the E-2388G includes integrated UHD Graphics P750, whereas the W-2175 has no integrated graphics, making the E-2388G a more self-sufficient option for systems that do not require a discrete GPU for basic display output.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture of two processors that are nearly identical in raw compute performance. The Intel Xeon W-2175 is the nominal winner in the head-to-head comparison, taking 5 of 6 benchmark victories. However, the margins are so small, never exceeding a 0.1% deltaPct, that the W-2175 cannot be considered a performance leader in any meaningful sense. The choice between these two CPUs should be driven by platform requirements and the specific needs of the intended workload.

For users building a new system, the Intel Xeon E-2388G is the more forward-looking choice. Its Rocket Lake architecture brings PCIe Gen 4 support, which is essential for maximizing the performance of modern NVMe SSDs and graphics cards. The inclusion of integrated graphics also simplifies system build-out and troubleshooting. Its 8 cores and 16 threads are sufficient for many server and workstation tasks, and its lower 95W TDP makes it a more power-efficient option compared to the W-2175’s 140W TDP. The E-2388G is also an active production part, while the W-2175 is end-of-life, meaning the E-2388G offers a clearer upgrade and support path.

The Intel Xeon W-2175 is the choice for users who already own a Socket 2066 platform or who require massive PCIe lane counts for expansion. Its 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes are a substantial advantage for systems with multiple GPUs, high-end networking cards, or other expansion-heavy configurations. The higher core count of 14 cores and 28 threads also provides a slight edge in multi-threaded rendering, as evidenced by its wins in the multi-core Cinebench tests. However, its end-of-life status and lack of integrated graphics make it a less attractive option for new builds. The data shows that the W-2175 is not a faster processor in any practical sense; it is simply a different platform trade-off.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results are the sole source of comparative performance data, and they demonstrate an extraordinary level of parity. In the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the W-2175 scores 2010 against the E-2388G’s 2009, a deltaPct of 0%. The single-core R15 test is a perfect tie at 283 for both. Moving to Cinebench R20, the W-2175 repeats its multi-core win with a score of 8379 versus 8374, a 0.1% difference. In the R20 single-core test, the W-2175 wins again with 1182 against 1181, also a 0.1% difference.

The most recent Cinebench R23 results continue the trend. The W-2175 takes the multi-core test with 19951 points against the E-2388G’s 19939, a 0.1% difference. The single-core R23 test also goes to the W-2175 with 2816 points versus 2814, again a 0.1% difference. These numbers indicate that for any user, the performance difference between these two CPUs in rendering workloads is imperceptible. The W-2175’s 14-core configuration does not translate into a meaningful advantage over the E-2388G’s 8 cores in these specific benchmarks, likely due to the E-2388G’s superior per-core clock speeds and newer microarchitecture.

The E-2388G also has Geekbench scores of 9615 multi-core and 2227 single-core, which are not available for the W-2175. These scores provide an additional data point for the E-2388G but do not offer a direct comparison. The average benchmark score for the E-2388G is 5805, which places it 1.3% ahead of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X and 1.7% ahead of the AMD EPYC 7351. The W-2175’s average score of 5770 places it 0.7% ahead of the Threadripper 2920X and 1.1% ahead of the EPYC 7351.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Xeon W-2175 wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests (R15, R20, R23), but by a maximum margin of 0.1%. Its scores are 2010, 8379, and 19951, versus the E-2388G’s 2009, 8374, and 19939, respectively.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon E-2388G have a single-core advantage?

A: The data is mixed. The E-2388G wins the Cinebench R15 single-core test with a tied score of 283, but the W-2175 wins the R20 and R23 single-core tests with scores of 1182 and 2816, respectively, each by a single point over the E-2388G.

Q: What is the core and thread count difference?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2175 has 14 cores and 28 threads, while the Intel Xeon E-2388G has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Which processor supports faster PCIe?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2388G supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the Intel Xeon W-2175 supports the older PCIe Gen 3 standard with 48 lanes.

Q: Is integrated graphics available on either CPU?

A: Yes, the Intel Xeon E-2388G includes UHD Graphics P750. The Intel Xeon W-2175 does not have integrated graphics.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2388G is listed as Active, while the Intel Xeon W-2175 is marked as End-of-life.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures, which explains their similar performance despite very different core counts. The Intel Xeon E-2388G is based on the Rocket Lake architecture, specifically the Rocket Lake-E codename, and is fabricated on Intel’s 14 nm process node. It features 8 cores and 16 threads with a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. Its cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and a shared 16 MB L3 cache. The die size is 276 mm². It supports DDR4 memory over a dual-channel bus with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, and it includes ECC memory support. The E-2388G is designed for the Intel Socket 1200 platform.

The Intel Xeon W-2175, in contrast, is based on the older Skylake architecture with the codename Skylake-W. It is also fabricated on Intel’s 14 nm process node, but features 14 cores and 28 threads. Its base clock is lower at 2.50 GHz, with a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The cache configuration is different: 64 KB of L1 cache per core, a larger 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and a shared 19.25 MB L3 cache. Its die size is significantly larger at 484 mm². The W-2175 supports DDR4 memory over a quad-channel bus, doubling the memory bandwidth to 85.3 GB/s, and also supports ECC memory. This processor uses the Intel Socket 2066 platform.

These architectural differences explain the performance parity. The E-2388G’s newer Rocket Lake microarchitecture and higher boost clock allow its 8 cores to keep pace with the W-2175’s 14 cores in multi-threaded workloads. The W-2175’s quad-channel memory interface provides a theoretical bandwidth advantage, but this does not translate into a measurable lead in the Cinebench benchmarks. The E-2388G’s support for PCIe Gen 4 is a defining feature for modern I/O, while the W-2175’s 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes offer a higher lane count for expansion. The E-2388G also includes integrated graphics, a feature absent from the W-2175. The launch MSRP for the E-2388G is $539, while the W-2175 had a launch MSRP of $1947.