Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 vs Intel Xeon W-2123 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data paints an unusually tight picture between these two Xeon processors. Across six Cinebench tests, the Intel Xeon W-2123 takes all six wins, but the margins are razor-thin — every multicore result shows only a 0.1% delta, and the single-core tests are effectively dead even at 0% or 0.1% differences. The W-2123 does not dominate in any meaningful sense; it simply edges ahead everywhere.

The Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3, despite having twice the core count (8 cores versus 4), never manages to pull ahead in any workload tested. This is counterintuitive on paper, but the benchmark results are consistent: in Cinebench R15 multicore, the W-2123 scores 724 versus 723 for the E5-2628 v3. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the gap is 7189 versus 7179. The E5-2628 v3's extra cores do not translate into a win because the W-2123's higher clock speeds compensate almost exactly for its fewer cores.

For single-threaded workloads, the W-2123's advantage is essentially negligible — 102 versus 102 in R15, 425 versus 425 in R20, and 1014 versus 1013 in R23. Neither chip offers a meaningful edge in lightly threaded tasks, which makes sense given their nearly identical single-core scores across all three Cinebench versions.

The practical takeaway: if you are choosing based purely on benchmark wins, the W-2123 is the nominal victor, but the performance difference is so small that it should not be the deciding factor in a purchase decision. Both CPUs sit at the 46th percentile among all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are 2079 and 2076 — a 0.1% gap that is statistically indistinguishable.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two Xeons is substantial, even though their performance lands in the same neighborhood. The W-2123 uses the Skylake architecture on a 14 nm process node, manufactured by Intel with a die size of 484 mm². The E5-2628 v3 uses the older Haswell architecture on a 22 nm node, with a die size of 356 mm² and 2,600 million transistors.

The W-2123 features 4 cores and 8 threads, while the E5-2628 v3 doubles that to 8 cores and 16 threads. Clock speeds tell the rest of the story: the W-2123 runs at a base clock of 3.60 GHz and boosts to 3.90 GHz, whereas the E5-2628 v3 sits at 2.50 GHz base and 3.00 GHz boost. That 1.10 GHz base-clock advantage and 0.90 GHz boost-clock advantage for the W-2123 is what allows it to match the E5-2628 v3's extra cores.

Cache layouts differ significantly. The W-2123 has 64 KB of L1 per core and 1 MB of L2 per core, with 8.25 MB of shared L3. The E5-2628 v3 also has 64 KB of L1 per core but only 256 KB of L2 per core, while its shared L3 is much larger at 20 MB. The E5-2628 v3's larger L3 cache is a notable architectural advantage, but it does not show up as a benchmark win in the tested workloads.

Memory support shows both CPUs use DDR4 with quad-channel buses, but the W-2123 achieves 85.3 GB/s of memory bandwidth versus 68.3 GB/s for the E5-2628 v3. PCIe lane counts also differ: the W-2123 provides 48 Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), while the E5-2628 v3 provides 40. Both support ECC memory and neither has integrated graphics. The W-2123 uses Socket 2066, while the E5-2628 v3 uses Socket 2011-3, so they are not interchangeable in a motherboard.

The W-2123 launched in August 2017 with a launch MSRP of $294. The E5-2628 v3 launched in September 2014 with no launch MSRP listed. Both are end-of-life products.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 has 8 cores and 16 threads, double the 4 cores and 8 threads of the Intel Xeon W-2123.

Q: Does the extra core count make the E5-2628 v3 faster in multicore benchmarks?

A: No. The W-2123 wins every multicore benchmark, though by only 0.1% in each case. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the W-2123 scores 724 versus 723; in R20 it is 3019 versus 3015; in R23 it is 7189 versus 7179.

Q: How do their clock speeds compare?

A: The W-2123 runs at 3.60 GHz base and 3.90 GHz boost, while the E5-2628 v3 runs at 2.50 GHz base and 3.00 GHz boost. The W-2123's higher clocks offset the E5-2628 v3's extra cores.

Q: Which CPU has better memory bandwidth?

A: The W-2123 provides 85.3 GB/s of memory bandwidth, compared to 68.3 GB/s for the E5-2628 v3. Both use DDR4 with quad-channel memory buses and support ECC.

Q: Are these CPUs comparable in overall performance?

A: Yes. Their average benchmark scores are 2079 for the W-2123 and 2076 for the E5-2628 v3, a difference of only 0.1%. Both sit at the 46th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: Do these CPUs use the same socket?

A: No. The W-2123 uses Intel Socket 2066, while the E5-2628 v3 uses Intel Socket 2011-3. They are not interchangeable.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon W-2123 | Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 |

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

| Cores | 4 | 8 |

| Threads | 8 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 3.60 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.90 GHz | 3.00 GHz |

| TDP | 120 W | 85 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 2066 | Intel Socket 2011-3 |

| Architecture | Skylake | Haswell |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 22 nm |

| Die Size | 484 mm² | 356 mm² |

| Transistors | Not listed | 2,600 million |

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

| L3 Cache | 8.25 MB (shared) | 20 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 85.3 GB/s | 68.3 GB/s |

| PCIe Lanes | 48 (Gen 3, CPU only) | 40 (Gen 3, CPU only) |

| Release Date | 2017-08-28 | 2014-09-07 |

| Launch MSRP | $294 | Not listed |

| Part Number | SR3LJ | SR201 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results are remarkable for their consistency. In every test, the W-2123 wins by a hair, and the E5-2628 v3 never takes a single victory. Starting with Cinebench R15, the W-2123 scores 724 in multicore against 723 for the E5-2628 v3, a 0.1% delta. The single-core test is a dead heat at 102 for both, with a 0% delta.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds. The W-2123 posts 3019 in multicore versus 3015 for the E5-2628 v3, again a 0.1% delta. Single-core scores are identical at 425 for both, with a 0% delta.

Cinebench R23 shows the same story. The W-2123 scores 7189 in multicore against 7179 for the E5-2628 v3, a 0.1% delta. The single-core test shows 1014 versus 1013, a 0.1% delta in favor of the W-2123.

The biggest single win for the W-2123 is in Cinebench R23 multicore, where it leads by 10 points. The smallest margin is in the R15 and R20 single-core tests, where the scores are identical. Across all six head-to-head benchmarks, the W-2123 claims 6 wins and the E5-2628 v3 claims 0.

These results are best understood through the lens of core count versus clock speed. The E5-2628 v3 has twice the cores of the W-2123, but its base clock is 1.10 GHz lower and its boost clock is 0.90 GHz lower. In Cinebench workloads, which scale reasonably well with cores but also reward higher clocks, these factors almost exactly cancel out. The result is a pair of CPUs that perform within 0.1% of each other in every test, regardless of whether the workload is multithreaded or single-threaded.

The Verdict

The data supports a simple conclusion: these two CPUs are performance twins, despite their architectural differences. The W-2123 wins every benchmark, but by margins so small they fall within run-to-run variance. A 0.1% delta in multicore tests and 0% to 0.1% in single-core tests means real-world applications will show no discernible difference.

Choose the Intel Xeon W-2123 if you want the nominal benchmark winner, the newer Skylake architecture, higher clock speeds, more PCIe lanes (48 versus 40), and greater memory bandwidth (85.3 GB/s versus 68.3 GB/s). It also has a larger L2 cache per core (1 MB versus 256 KB) and a smaller L3 cache (8.25 MB versus 20 MB). Its 14 nm process node is newer than the E5-2628 v3's 22 nm node, and its launch MSRP of $294 provides a reference point for its original positioning. The trade-off is a higher TDP of 120 W versus 85 W.

Choose the Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 if you value the doubling of cores and threads (8/16 versus 4/8), the larger shared L3 cache (20 MB versus 8.25 MB), and the lower TDP of 85 W. Its 2.50 GHz base clock and 3.00 GHz boost clock are substantially lower, but the extra cores may help in workloads that the Cinebench suite does not capture. The 22 nm Haswell architecture is older, but the 2,600 million transistors and 356 mm² die size are clearly specified.

For most buyers, the decision should come down to platform and workload fit rather than raw performance. The W-2123 requires Socket 2066; the E5-2628 v3 requires Socket 2011-3. If you already own one platform or the other, the negligible performance difference means there is no reason to switch. If you are building fresh and the choice is between these two, the W-2123's newer architecture, higher clocks, and benchmark sweep give it the edge — but only by the slimmest of margins. The E5-2628 v3 remains a perfectly viable alternative if its larger core count and lower power draw matter more to you than a 0.1% benchmark delta.