Intel Xeon E3-1235L v5 vs Intel Xeon W-2102 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data records a clean sweep for the Intel Xeon W-2102 across all six Cinebench tests, though the margins are consistently narrow. In the Cinebench R15 multicore test, the W-2102 scores 440 against 429 for the E3-1235L v5, a 2.6% advantage. The single-core R15 result shows the W-2102 ahead by 3.3%, scoring 62 versus 60. These are not transformative gaps, but they are uniform across every workload measured.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds. The W-2102 posts a multicore score of 1835, while the E3-1235L v5 trails at 1789, again a 2.6% delta. In single-core R20, the W-2102 records 259 against 252, a 2.8% edge. The R23 results mirror the earlier tests: the W-2102 reaches 4370 in multicore versus 4261 for the E3-1235L v5, a 2.6% difference, and 617 in single-core versus 601, a 2.7% margin.

What stands out from the data is the consistency of the advantage. Every delta falls between 2.6% and 3.3%, suggesting the W-2102 holds a small but repeatable performance lead in both lightly threaded and fully loaded scenarios. The E3-1235L v5 never manages to flip the result in any test, and the win tally sits at 6 for the W-2102 and 0 for its rival.

Looking at the broader database context, the W-2102 sits at the 35th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 1264. The E3-1235L v5 is just one point lower in percentile, at 34, with an average score of 1232. The nearest rivals for the W-2102 include the Intel Core i3-1005G1 at 1265 (a 0.1% difference) and the AMD Athlon 200GE at 1261 (0.3% ahead of the W-2102). For the E3-1235L v5, the closest competitors are the Intel Core i3-8109U at 1235 (0.2% ahead) and the Intel Core i5-2500 at 1220 (1% behind). These surrounding scores confirm that both processors occupy a similar tier, with the W-2102 marginally better positioned.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 14 nm process node and share the Skylake architecture, but they diverge significantly in their physical design and platform integration. The W-2102 belongs to the Skylake-W generation and uses the Intel Socket 2066 interface, while the E3-1235L v5 is a Skylake-DT part on Intel Socket 1151. The die size tells a clear story: the W-2102 measures 484 mm², compared to 122 mm² for the E3-1235L v5, a difference that reflects the larger, more complex package of the workstation-oriented chip.

Core and thread counts are identical at 4 cores and 4 threads, with no hyper-threading on either part. The cache hierarchy, however, shows notable differences. Both feature 64 KB of L1 cache per core, but the L2 cache differs: the W-2102 has 1 MB per core, while the E3-1235L v5 has 256 KB per core. The shared L3 cache is also slightly larger on the W-2102 at 8.25 MB versus 8 MB on the E3-1235L v5. The E3-1235L v5 lists 1,750 million transistors, while the W-2102's transistor count is not recorded in the database.

Clock speeds and power draw are where the two parts separate most sharply. The W-2102 has a base clock of 2.90 GHz with no boost clock listed, while the E3-1235L v5 has a base clock of 2000.00 MHz (2.00 GHz) and a boost clock of 3.00 GHz. The thermal design power (TDP) is dramatically different: the W-2102 draws 120 watts, while the E3-1235L v5 is rated at just 25 watts. That 95-watt gap reflects the W-2102's higher sustained clock and larger die, while the E3-1235L v5 is built for efficiency.

Memory support also diverges. The W-2102 uses DDR4 with a quad-channel memory bus and a theoretical bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s. The E3-1235L v5 supports both DDR3 and DDR4, but only on a dual-channel bus, delivering 34.1 GB/s. The W-2102 provides 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, while the E3-1235L v5 offers 16. The E3-1235L v5 includes integrated HD Graphics P530, while the W-2102 has no integrated graphics listed. Both support ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The W-2102 wins every recorded benchmark, so the use-case split is less about raw performance and more about platform characteristics. The W-2102 is the stronger choice for workloads that benefit from memory bandwidth. Its quad-channel DDR4 interface with 85.3 GB/s throughput is more than double the 34.1 GB/s of the E3-1235L v5, making it better suited for data-heavy server or workstation tasks that move large datasets. The 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes also allow for more expansion cards, GPUs, or storage controllers than the 16 lanes on the E3-1235L v5.

The E3-1235L v5, by contrast, wins on power efficiency and platform simplicity. Its 25-watt TDP is one-fifth of the W-2102's 120-watt draw, making it far easier to cool and cheaper to run in dense server environments. The dual-channel memory support for both DDR3 and DDR4 provides flexibility in system builds, and the integrated graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU in basic display tasks. The smaller 122 mm² die also suggests lower manufacturing cost, though the database does not verify pricing beyond launch MSRP.

For single-threaded responsiveness, the W-2102's higher base clock (2.90 GHz versus 2.00 GHz) gives it an edge in lightly threaded applications, even though the E3-1235L v5 can boost to 3.00 GHz. The benchmark deltas of 2.7% to 3.3% in single-core tests favor the W-2102. In multi-threaded workloads, the W-2102's larger L2 cache (1 MB per core versus 256 KB) and higher sustained clocks contribute to its consistent 2.6% lead in the Cinebench multicore tests.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2102 records an average benchmark score of 1264, while the Intel Xeon E3-1235L v5 averages 1232. The W-2102 also sits at the 35th percentile among all CPUs, one point above the E3-1235L v5 at the 34th percentile.

Q: How large is the performance difference in Cinebench R23?

A: In Cinebench R23 multicore, the W-2102 scores 4370 against 4261 for the E3-1235L v5, a 2.6% advantage. In single-core R23, the W-2102 scores 617 versus 601, a 2.7% lead.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon W-2102 and the Intel Xeon E3-1235L v5 have ECC memory support, which is typical for server and workstation parts.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two chips?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2102 has a TDP of 120 watts, while the Intel Xeon E3-1235L v5 is rated at 25 watts. This makes the E3-1235L v5 significantly more power-efficient.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1235L v5 includes HD Graphics P530, while the Intel Xeon W-2102 has no integrated graphics listed in the database.

Q: How do the memory buses compare?

A: The W-2102 uses a quad-channel memory bus with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth, while the E3-1235L v5 uses a dual-channel bus with 34.1 GB/s. The W-2102 supports DDR4 only, while the E3-1235L v5 supports both DDR3 and DDR4.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The W-2102 has a base clock of 2.90 GHz with no boost clock recorded, while the E3-1235L v5 has a base clock of 2000.00 MHz and a boost clock of 3.00 GHz. The TDP is 120 watts for the W-2102 versus 25 watts for the E3-1235L v5.

The socket is another major divergence: the W-2102 uses Intel Socket 2066, while the E3-1235L v5 uses Intel Socket 1151. The die size is 484 mm² for the W-2102 versus 122 mm² for the E3-1235L v5. The L2 cache is 1 MB per core on the W-2102 and 256 KB per core on the E3-1235L v5, while the L3 cache is 8.25 MB shared versus 8 MB shared.

Memory support differs in both type and width. The W-2102 supports DDR4 with a quad-channel bus and 85.3 GB/s bandwidth, while the E3-1235L v5 supports DDR3 and DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and 34.1 GB/s. The PCIe lane count is 48 on the W-2102 versus 16 on the E3-1235L v5. Integrated graphics are present only on the E3-1235L v5 as HD Graphics P530. The W-2102 has a launch MSRP of $202, while the E3-1235L v5 has a launch MSRP of $250. The release dates also differ, with the W-2102 launching later in the database timeline.