Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3 vs Intel Xeon W-2104 Comparison

The Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3 and Intel Xeon W-2104 are both 4-core, 4-thread server/workstation processors, but the benchmark data reveals a remarkably tight contest where the older Haswell chip edges out the newer Skylake part in every single test. The E3-1226 v3 wins all six head-to-head comparisons, though the margins are consistently razor-thin, ranging from a 0.4% advantage in Cinebench R15 multi-core to a 0.7% lead in Cinebench R20 single-core. The average benchmark scores tell the same story: the E3-1226 v3 posts a 1357 average against the W-2104’s 1350, a difference of just 0.5%. Both processors sit at the 36th percentile of all CPUs, placing them in identical performance tiers. For practical purposes, these chips are near-twin performers, but the data gives the E3-1226 v3 the sweep.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most significant single win for the Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3 comes in Cinebench R20 single-core, where it scores 278 against the W-2104’s 276, a 0.7% delta. That is the largest margin in the entire comparison. In multi-core workloads, the E3-1226 v3 maintains a consistent edge: it leads by 0.4% in Cinebench R15 multi-core (472 vs 470) and by 0.5% in both Cinebench R20 multi-core (1970 vs 1960) and Cinebench R23 multi-core (4692 vs 4669). The single-core tests are nearly identical, with the E3-1226 v3 winning Cinebench R15 single-core by a 0% delta (66 vs 66) and Cinebench R23 single-core by 0.5% (662 vs 659).

The pattern is clear: the E3-1226 v3 wins everywhere, but never by more than a fraction of a percent. The W-2104’s best showing is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where it trails by just 2 points. The data suggests that clock-for-clock, the older Haswell architecture holds a slight IPC advantage over Skylake in these Cinebench workloads, or that the E3-1226 v3’s higher base clock (3.30 GHz vs 3.20 GHz) is enough to tip the scales. The W-2104 has no boost clock listed, while the E3-1226 v3 boosts to 3.70 GHz, which likely explains the consistent, if small, single-core wins.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent distinct architectural generations and platform designs. The Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3 is built on the Haswell architecture (codename Haswell-WS) using a 22 nm process node from Intel, with 1,400 million transistors packed into a 160 mm² die. The Intel Xeon W-2104 uses the Skylake architecture (codename Skylake-W) on a 14 nm node, with a substantially larger 484 mm² die; transistor count is not listed for the W-2104. The process shrink from 22 nm to 14 nm is offset by the much larger die, which reflects the W-2104’s more expansive platform capabilities.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The E3-1226 v3 has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, with 8 MB of shared L3. The W-2104 also has 64 KB L1 per core but doubles the L2 to 1 MB per core, and its shared L3 is slightly larger at 8.25 MB. Despite having more cache per core, the W-2104 does not translate that into a benchmark win. Memory support is a major differentiator: the E3-1226 v3 uses DDR3 on a dual-channel bus with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the W-2104 uses DDR4 on a quad-channel bus with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth — a 3.3x theoretical bandwidth advantage. The W-2104 also offers 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only) versus 16 lanes on the E3-1226 v3.

The integrated graphics situation diverges completely. The E3-1226 v3 includes an Intel HD P4600 iGPU, while the W-2104 has no integrated graphics at all. Both support ECC memory and are locked (multiplier unlocked: false). The sockets are incompatible: the E3-1226 v3 uses Intel Socket 1150, while the W-2104 uses Intel Socket 2066. The W-2104’s TDP is 120 W versus 84 W for the E3-1226 v3, a 36 W difference that reflects the larger die and quad-channel memory controller. Production status is end-of-life for both, but the E3-1226 v3 launched on 2014-05-10, while the W-2104 launched over three years later on 2017-08-28.

Where Each One Wins

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3 wins every workload category tested. It leads in all three multi-core tests (Cinebench R15, R20, R23) and all three single-core tests (Cinebench R15, R20, R23). The largest advantage is in Cinebench R20 single-core at 0.7%, while the smallest is a dead heat in Cinebench R15 single-core at 0%. This makes the E3-1226 v3 the pick for any application that relies on Cinebench-style rendering or single-threaded performance, which typically includes legacy software, lightly-threaded CAD tools, and older server workloads.

The W-2104, despite losing all six head-to-head tests, has clear platform advantages that the benchmarks do not capture. Its quad-channel DDR4 memory with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth versus 25.6 GB/s for the E3-1226 v3 means memory-bandwidth-intensive workloads — such as large database operations, virtualized environments, or high-throughput networking — would favor the W-2104 in real-world use, even if Cinebench does not show it. The 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes versus 16 lanes allow for far more expansion cards, GPUs, or NVMe storage devices. The W-2104 also has a larger L2 cache (1 MB per core vs 256 KB) and slightly more L3 (8.25 MB vs 8 MB), which could benefit workloads with high cache reuse.

The E3-1226 v3 offers integrated Intel HD P4600 graphics, making it a self-contained option for systems that need display output without a discrete GPU. The W-2104 requires a separate graphics card. The E3-1226 v3 also has a lower TDP (84 W vs 120 W), which translates to lower cooling requirements and potentially lower operating costs in dense server deployments.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3 has an average benchmark score of 1357, while the Intel Xeon W-2104 scores 1350. This gives the E3-1226 v3 a 0.5% advantage, and it also holds a 0.5% delta in its nearest rivals list against the W-2104.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The E3-1226 v3 scores 4692, and the W-2104 scores 4669, giving the E3-1226 v3 a 0.5% win. This is consistent with the other multi-core tests where the E3-1226 v3 leads by 0.4% to 0.5%.

Q: Is there any benchmark where the W-2104 wins?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows the E3-1226 v3 winning all six tests, with the W-2104 recording zero wins. The closest the W-2104 gets is a tie in Cinebench R15 single-core at 66 points each.

Q: What are the memory bandwidth differences?

A: The W-2104 supports DDR4 on a quad-channel bus with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth, while the E3-1226 v3 supports DDR3 on a dual-channel bus with 25.6 GB/s. The W-2104 offers over three times the theoretical memory bandwidth.

Q: Do both CPUs support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3 and the Intel Xeon W-2104 have ECC memory support, making them suitable for error-correcting server and workstation workloads.

Q: Which CPU has integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3 has integrated graphics, featuring the Intel HD P4600. The Intel Xeon W-2104 has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for display output.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3 is the faster processor in every measured test. It wins all six head-to-head Cinebench comparisons, with the largest margin being 0.7% in Cinebench R20 single-core and the smallest being a 0% tie in Cinebench R15 single-core. The average benchmark score of 1357 versus 1350 confirms the edge. If raw Cinebench performance is the sole criterion, the E3-1226 v3 is the clear choice.

However, the W-2104 is not without merit. Its quad-channel DDR4 memory at 85.3 GB/s bandwidth and 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes make it a vastly more capable platform for memory-heavy and I/O-heavy workloads. The larger L2 cache (1 MB per core vs 256 KB) and slightly larger L3 (8.25 MB vs 8 MB) provide additional headroom for cache-sensitive tasks. The 14 nm process node and larger die (484 mm² vs 160 mm²) suggest a more modern design, even if the Cinebench results do not reflect it. The W-2104’s 120 W TDP versus 84 W is a trade-off for these platform features.

For users building a system around Cinebench-rendering workloads or single-threaded legacy applications, the E3-1226 v3 is the data-backed winner. For users who need extensive memory bandwidth, quad-channel DDR4, or massive PCIe expansion, the W-2104’s platform advantages outweigh its slight benchmark deficit. Both are end-of-life products, but the E3-1226 v3 offers the better out-of-the-box performance per benchmark, while the W-2104 offers superior scalability for non-Cinebench workloads. The launch MSRP for the E3-1226 v3 was $213, and the W-2104 was $255.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3 | Intel Xeon W-2104 |

|---|---|---|

| Base Clock | 3.30 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.70 GHz | null |

| TDP | 84 W | 120 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | Intel Socket 2066 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Skylake |

| Codename | Haswell-WS | Skylake-W |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | 160 mm² | 484 mm² |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | null |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 8.25 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Quad-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | 85.3 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 48 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD P4600 | null |

| Release Date | 2014-05-10 | 2017-08-28 |

| Part Number | SR1R0 | SR3LH |