Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 vs Intel Xeon W-2123 Comparison

The Intel Xeon W-2123 and Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 are both 4-core, 8-thread Skylake-era server processors, yet they target distinctly different platforms. Benchmark results show a remarkably consistent, though narrow, advantage for the W-2123 across every tested workload. The data indicates a 0.6% lead for the W-2123 in Cinebench R15 multicore (724 vs. 720) and a 1% lead in R15 singlecore (102 vs. 101). This pattern persists in newer benchmarks: R20 multicore shows a 0.6% edge (3019 vs. 3001), R20 singlecore shows a 0.5% edge (425 vs. 423), R23 multicore shows a 0.6% edge (7189 vs. 7146), and R23 singlecore shows a 0.6% edge (1014 vs. 1008). The W-2123 wins all six head-to-head comparisons, but the margins are so slim that they fall within the noise of typical benchmarking variance.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive victory for the Intel Xeon W-2123 comes in the single-core Cinebench R15 test, where it scores 102 against the E3-1585 v5’s 101, a 1% delta. While this is the largest percentage gap in the entire comparison, the absolute difference of one point is negligible in practical terms. The multicore results tell a similar story: across R15, R20, and R23, the W-2123 consistently outperforms the E3-1585 v5 by 0.6%, with scores of 724 vs. 720, 3019 vs. 3001, and 7189 vs. 7146 respectively. These are the only three multicore tests in the dataset, and the W-2123 wins all three by identical margins.

The single-core results in R20 and R23 mirror the multicore pattern. The W-2123 posts 425 vs. 423 in R20 (0.5% delta) and 1014 vs. 1008 in R23 (0.6% delta). Across all six benchmarks, the W-2123’s average benchmark score is 2079, while the E3-1585 v5 sits at 2067, a difference of 12 points. Both processors occupy the 46th percentile among all CPUs, meaning they are statistically equivalent in overall performance ranking. The W-2123’s nearest rival list includes the Intel Core i3-9350KF (avg score 2082, delta -0.1%) and the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 (avg score 2086, delta -0.3%), while the E3-1585 v5’s nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 3400G (avg score 2059, delta 0.4%) and the Intel Core i7-8705G (avg score 2058, delta 0.5%). Both chips are effectively mid-pack performers, with the W-2123 holding a marginal edge that does not translate into a different percentile ranking.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is far more pronounced than their benchmark scores suggest. The Intel Xeon W-2123 is built on the Skylake-W architecture and uses the LGA 2066 socket, while the Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 uses the Skylake-H architecture and a BGA 1440 socket. Both are fabricated on Intel’s 14 nm process, but the W-2123 features a significantly larger die size of 484 mm² compared to the E3-1585 v5’s 171 mm². The E3-1585 v5’s transistor count is listed at 2,300 million, while no transistor count is provided for the W-2123.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The W-2123 offers 1 MB of L2 cache per core, whereas the E3-1585 v5 provides only 256 KB per core. L3 cache is also larger on the W-2123 at 8.25 MB shared, compared to 8 MB shared on the E3-1585 v5. Both share the same 64 KB L1 cache per core. Memory support is another clear differentiator: the W-2123 supports DDR4 only, with a quad-channel memory bus delivering 85.3 GB/s of bandwidth, while the E3-1585 v5 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 over a dual-channel bus capped at 34.1 GB/s. The W-2123 also offers 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), far exceeding the E3-1585 v5’s 16 lanes. The most notable feature difference is the integrated graphics: the E3-1585 v5 includes Iris Pro Graphics P580, while the W-2123 has no integrated graphics at all. Both processors support ECC memory and have locked multipliers.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon W-2123 wins every benchmark in the dataset, but the margins are so small that the practical advantage is minimal. The largest win comes in Cinebench R15 singlecore, where it leads by 1%. In all other tests, the lead is between 0.5% and 0.6%. The W-2123’s superiority is consistent across both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads, suggesting a slight clock-for-clock advantage despite its lower base clock of 3.60 GHz (the E3-1585 v5 has a 3.50 GHz base clock). The boost clock is identical at 3.90 GHz for both.

The E3-1585 v5 does not win any benchmark outright, but its value proposition lies elsewhere. Its 65 W TDP is substantially lower than the W-2123’s 120 W TDP, making it a more power-efficient option for compact or thermally constrained systems. The integrated Iris Pro Graphics P580 provides a significant feature advantage for applications that require GPU compute or display output without a discrete graphics card. The E3-1585 v5’s support for both DDR3 and DDR4 memory gives it flexibility in legacy systems, and its BGA 1440 socket suggests a soldered, embedded-style design that may be preferable in certain industrial or OEM deployments. For pure CPU performance, the W-2123 is the clear winner, but for integrated graphics and lower power draw, the E3-1585 v5 has distinct strengths.

The Verdict

From the benchmark data alone, the Intel Xeon W-2123 is the faster processor in every measured category. Its 6-0 win record in head-to-head tests, combined with a higher average benchmark score (2079 vs. 2067), makes it the default choice for users prioritizing raw compute performance. The margins are narrow, but they are consistent across six different Cinebench versions and both single-core and multi-core workloads. The W-2123 also offers a superior memory subsystem with quad-channel DDR4 support and 85.3 GB/s of bandwidth, making it better suited for memory-intensive workstation tasks.

However, the Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 is not without merit. Its 65 W TDP is nearly half that of the W-2123, which can be critical in dense server environments or systems with limited cooling. The integrated Iris Pro Graphics P580 eliminates the need for a separate GPU in basic display or compute tasks, and the dual-channel memory support for both DDR3 and DDR4 provides legacy compatibility. Users building a new system on the LGA 2066 platform with discrete graphics will find the W-2123 the better fit. Users constrained by power, space, or the need for integrated graphics should consider the E3-1585 v5, despite its slight performance deficit. Both processors are end-of-life, so platform availability and existing infrastructure will likely be the deciding factor. The data shows a clear, if small, performance winner in the W-2123, but the E3-1585 v5 remains a viable alternative in scenarios where its feature set aligns better with system requirements.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Xeon W-2123 wins all three multicore tests. It scores 724 vs. 720 in Cinebench R15, 3019 vs. 3001 in R20, and 7189 vs. 7146 in R23, each a 0.6% lead.

Q: Do these processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon W-2123 and the Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 have 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 has integrated graphics, featuring Iris Pro Graphics P580. The Intel Xeon W-2123 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference between the two?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2123 supports quad-channel memory with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 supports dual-channel memory with 34.1 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2123 has an average benchmark score of 2079, while the Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 has an average score of 2067, a difference of 12 points.

Q: Which processor has a higher base clock speed?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2123 has a base clock of 3.60 GHz, while the Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 has a base clock of 3.50 GHz. Both have the same boost clock of 3.90 GHz.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon W-2123 | Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 |

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

| Base Clock | 3.60 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| TDP | 120 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 2066 | Intel BGA 1440 |

| Codename | Skylake-W | Skylake-H |

| Die Size | 484 mm² | 171 mm² |

| Transistors | Not listed | 2,300 million |

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

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

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3, DDR4 |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 85.3 GB/s | 34.1 GB/s |

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

| Integrated Graphics | None | Iris Pro Graphics P580 |

| Release Date | 2017-08-28 | 2016-05-30 |

| Launch MSRP | $294 | $556 |

| Part Number | SR3LJ | SR2RB |