Intel Xeon E5-2678 v3 vs Intel Xeon W-2135 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents an unusual picture: the Intel Xeon E5-2678 v3 wins every single benchmark in the comparison, yet the margins are remarkably narrow. Across all six Cinebench tests, the E5-2678 v3 leads by a consistent 2.2% to 2.3%. This is not a case of one chip decisively outperforming the other; rather, it is a statistical near-tie where the older, higher-core-count processor edges ahead in every single measurement.

In multi-core workloads, the E5-2678 v3 posts a Cinebench R15 score of 1257 against 1230 for the W-2135, a 2.2% advantage. The gap widens ever so slightly in R20, with scores of 5239 and 5126 respectively, again a 2.2% delta. Moving to the longest render test, Cinebench R23, the E5-2678 v3 scores 12474 versus 12205, maintaining that same 2.2% lead. The consistency of these margins across different rendering workloads suggests the advantage is structural, not workload-specific.

Single-core results tell a similar story. The E5-2678 v3 leads in Cinebench R15 single-core with 177 points against 173, a 2.3% edge. In R20 single-core, the scores are 739 versus 723, a 2.2% delta. Finally, in R23 single-core, the E5-2678 v3 posts 1761 against 1723, again a 2.2% margin. For a processor based on the older Haswell architecture, these results are notable: the higher boost clock of the W-2135 is not translating into a single-core victory in the recorded data.

The overall average benchmark scores confirm this picture. The E5-2678 v3 averages 3608 points, while the W-2135 averages 3530. Both processors sit at the 55th percentile among all CPUs in the database. When placed against their nearest rivals, the E5-2678 v3 trades blows with the Intel Xeon E-2286G (3610, delta -0.1%), the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 1700 (3613, delta -0.1%), the AMD Ryzen 7 2700E (3603, delta 0.1%), and the Intel Xeon E-2276G (3614, delta -0.2%). The W-2135, meanwhile, aligns closely with the Intel Core i3-12300 (3532, delta 0%), the Intel Xeon W-1290TE (3532, delta -0.1%), the Intel Core i5-10600K (3533, delta -0.1%), and the Intel Core i3-12300T (3525, delta 0.2%). In other words, both chips are clustered with modern mid-range parts, and the difference between them is within the noise of the database.

Where Each One Wins

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the Intel Xeon E5-2678 v3 wins in every category measured. It is faster in both multi-core and single-core rendering tests across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. The only meaningful split is by workload type, not by processor.

For multi-threaded rendering workloads, the E5-2678 v3 holds a slight but consistent advantage. Its 12 cores and 24 threads provide a 2.2% lead over the 6-core, 12-thread W-2135 in all three multi-core tests. This makes the E5-2678 v3 the technically superior choice for batch rendering, video encoding, or any task that scales across all available threads.

For single-threaded performance, the E5-2678 v3 also wins, though by a similarly narrow margin. The E5-2678 v3 leads by 2.3% in R15 single-core and by 2.2% in both R20 and R23 single-core. This is unexpected given the W-2135's higher base and boost clocks, but the recorded data does not lie. The W-2135 has no wins in the comparison: winsA is 6, winsB is 0.

The practical takeaway is that neither chip offers a meaningful speed advantage in any workload. The differences are small enough that other system factors, such as memory configuration, storage, or cooling, would likely determine real-world performance. If a workload can use the E5-2678 v3's extra cores, it is marginally better; if a workload is lightly threaded, the E5-2678 v3 is still marginally better, but the margin is so small as to be negligible.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras. The Intel Xeon E5-2678 v3 is built on the Haswell architecture, specifically the Haswell-EP codename, using a 22 nm process node. Intel fabricates it with 2,600 million transistors on a 356 mm² die. The Intel Xeon W-2135, in contrast, uses the Skylake architecture, specifically Skylake-W, on a 14 nm process node. Its die size is recorded as 484 mm², though its transistor count is not listed in the database.

Core and cache configurations differ substantially. The E5-2678 v3 offers 12 cores and 24 threads, while the W-2135 provides 6 cores and 12 threads. Per-core L1 cache is identical at 64 KB per core. L2 cache, however, differs: the E5-2678 v3 has 256 KB per core, while the W-2135 has 1 MB per core, a fourfold increase per core. The shared L3 cache also diverges: the E5-2678 v3 has 30 MB shared, while the W-2135 has 8.25 MB shared. This means the E5-2678 v3 has significantly more total cache, while the W-2135 has more cache per core for its six cores.

Memory support differs as well. The E5-2678 v3 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the W-2135 supports DDR4 only. Both use a quad-channel memory bus. The W-2135 has a higher recorded memory bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s, compared to 68.3 GB/s for the E5-2678 v3. Both support ECC memory, which is expected for server and workstation parts.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The E5-2678 v3 provides Gen 3 with 40 lanes, while the W-2135 provides Gen 3 with 48 lanes. The W-2135 offers eight additional lanes, which could matter for systems with many expansion cards or NVMe drives. Neither processor includes integrated graphics.

Clock speeds are a major point of differentiation. The E5-2678 v3 has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz. The W-2135 has a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. Despite this 1.2 GHz advantage in boost clock, the W-2135 does not translate that into benchmark wins, as the data shows. Thermal design power differs as well: the E5-2678 v3 is rated at 120 W, while the W-2135 is rated at 140 W.

Sockets and platforms are incompatible. The E5-2678 v3 uses Intel Socket 2011-3, while the W-2135 uses Intel Socket 2066. This means a motherboard choice effectively locks the user into one of these two processors. Both are marked as end-of-life in the database, and both are locked multipliers. The W-2135 has a recorded launch date of August 28, 2017, and a launch MSRP of $835; the E5-2678 v3 has no launch date or MSRP recorded.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2678 v3 has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Xeon W-2135 has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Does the W-2135's higher clock speed give it a single-core advantage?

A: No. Despite a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz, the W-2135 loses all single-core benchmarks. The E5-2678 v3 leads by 2.3% in Cinebench R15 single-core and by 2.2% in both R20 and R23 single-core.

Q: Which processor supports higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2135 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s, compared to 68.3 GB/s for the E5-2678 v3. Both use quad-channel memory, but the W-2135 supports DDR4 only, while the E5-2678 v3 supports both DDR3 and DDR4.

Q: Are these processors compatible with the same motherboard?

A: No. The E5-2678 v3 uses Intel Socket 2011-3, while the W-2135 uses Intel Socket 2066. They cannot be swapped between the same boards.

Q: How do these chips compare to their nearest rivals in the database?

A: The E5-2678 v3 averages 3608 points, with its closest rival being the AMD Ryzen 7 2700E at 3603 (delta 0.1%) and the Intel Xeon E-2286G at 3610 (delta -0.1%). The W-2135 averages 3530 points, with the Intel Core i3-12300 at 3532 (delta 0%) being its closest match.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2135 provides Gen 3 with 48 lanes, while the E5-2678 v3 provides Gen 3 with 40 lanes.

Q: Is either processor still in production?

A: No. Both are recorded as end-of-life in the database.

The Verdict

The data supports a straightforward conclusion: the Intel Xeon E5-2678 v3 is the faster processor in every benchmark test recorded. It wins all six Cinebench comparisons, albeit by margins of only 2.2% to 2.3%. For users who need maximum score per benchmark, the E5-2678 v3 is the pick.

However, the differences are small enough that practical considerations may dominate. The W-2135 offers higher memory bandwidth (85.3 GB/s versus 68.3 GB/s), more PCIe lanes (48 versus 40), and a more modern 14 nm process node. It also has a higher base clock (3.70 GHz versus 2.50 GHz) and boost clock (4.50 GHz versus 3.30 GHz), which may provide better responsiveness in lightly threaded tasks that are not captured by the recorded benchmarks.

The E5-2678 v3 counters with more cores (12 versus 6), more threads (24 versus 12), and a much larger shared L3 cache (30 MB versus 8.25 MB). Its 22 nm process node is older, but its 120 W TDP is lower than the W-2135's 140 W TDP.

For a user choosing between these two, the decision should hinge on platform and workload. If the motherboard supports Socket 2011-3 and the workload benefits from 12 cores, the E5-2678 v3 is the correct choice based on benchmark scores. If the motherboard supports Socket 2066 and the workload is more varied, the W-2135's higher clocks, memory bandwidth, and PCIe lane count may be more valuable, despite its benchmark deficit. The database shows the E5-2678 v3 as the performance winner, but the W-2135 is not far behind.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E5-2678 v3 | Intel Xeon W-2135 |

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

| Cores | 12 | 6 |

| Threads | 24 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.30 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 120 W | 140 W |

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

| Architecture | Haswell | Skylake |

| Codename | Haswell-EP | Skylake-W |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 14 nm |

| Transistors | 2,600 million | Not recorded |

| Die Size | 356 mm² | 484 mm² |

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

| L3 Cache | 30 MB (shared) | 8.25 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3, DDR4 | DDR4 |

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

| PCIe | Gen 3, 40 Lanes | Gen 3, 48 Lanes |

| Launch Date | Not recorded | August 28, 2017 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $835 |

| Part Number | SR20Z | SR3LN |