Intel Xeon E5-4640 v3 vs Intel Xeon W-2125 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results in the database show a consistent, if modest, advantage for the Intel Xeon E5-4640 v3 across every recorded test. The W-2125 does not secure a single win in the head-to-head comparisons. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the E5-4640 v3 scores 888 against the W-2125’s 852, a delta of -4.1% from the W-2125’s perspective. The single-core R15 result follows the same pattern: 125 for the E5-4640 v3 versus 120 for the W-2125, a -4% gap. These are not large margins, but they are consistent.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core test shows the E5-4640 v3 at 3702, while the W-2125 manages 3551, again a -4.1% difference. Single-core R20 gives the E5-4640 v3 a score of 522, with the W-2125 at 501, a -4% delta. The pattern holds in Cinebench R23: multi-core scores are 8816 for the E5-4640 v3 and 8455 for the W-2125 (-4.1%), while single-core scores are 1244 and 1193 respectively (-4.1%). The data shows a uniform, nearly identical percentage gap in every workload, suggesting the E5-4640 v3’s advantage is structural rather than workload-specific.

The W-2125 does have Geekbench scores in the database, but there is no head-to-head Geekbench comparison provided. Its Geekbench multi-core score is 4988, and single-core is 1323. The E5-4640 v3 lacks Geekbench entries in the recorded data, so no direct comparison is possible there. The average benchmark score across all recorded tests places the W-2125 at 2623, against the E5-4640 v3’s 2550. Interestingly, despite losing every head-to-head test, the W-2125 has a higher average benchmark score overall. This is likely due to the Geekbench results being included in the W-2125’s average, while the E5-4640 v3’s average is computed only from Cinebench runs.

Both processors sit at the 49th percentile among all CPUs in the database. The W-2125’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-1195G7 (average score 2638, delta -0.6%), the Intel Core i9-8950HK (2641, -0.7%), the Intel Core i7-5820K (2642, -0.7%), and the Intel Core i7-8850H (2604, +0.7%). The E5-4640 v3’s nearest rivals are the Intel Xeon E5-1650 v3 (2545, +0.2%), the AMD Ryzen 7 4800HS (2557, -0.3%), the Intel Core i3-10325 (2530, +0.8%), and the Intel Xeon E-2244G (2527, +0.9%). These rival comparisons show both chips are firmly in the mid-pack, with the W-2125 tracking slightly above its nearest competitors, while the E5-4640 v3 is essentially level with its own peer group.

The Verdict

From the recorded data, the Intel Xeon E5-4640 v3 is the better performer in every measured benchmark. It wins all six head-to-head tests, with margins between 4% and 4.1%. If the decision rests purely on the numbers in this database, the E5-4640 v3 is the clear choice for raw compute throughput, both in multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads. The consistency of the delta across all Cinebench versions reinforces this conclusion: the E5-4640 v3 is not just faster in one specific test, it is faster in every scenario the database records.

However, the W-2125 is not without its own merits. Its higher average benchmark score (2623 versus 2550) suggests that in the broader set of metrics, it holds up well, particularly if Geekbench performance matters. The W-2125’s boost clock is significantly higher, and its newer architecture may offer features that do not appear in the benchmark scores. For a user prioritizing the exact workloads captured by these Cinebench tests, the E5-4640 v3 is the safer bet. For someone who values the Geekbench numbers, or who needs the platform characteristics of the W-2125, the choice may lean the other way.

The verdict from the data is straightforward: the E5-4640 v3 wins on benchmark scores, while the W-2125 wins on platform modernity and aggregate average. Neither chip is dominant in absolute terms, as both sit at the 49th percentile. The E5-4640 v3 offers 12 cores and 24 threads against the W-2125’s 4 cores and 8 threads, yet the W-2125’s much higher clocks (4.00 GHz base, 4.50 GHz boost versus 1900.00 MHz base, 2.60 GHz boost) keep the gap narrow. The recorded numbers show that core count alone does not translate into a proportional performance lead here.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Xeon W-2125 is built on Skylake-W, a 14 nm process, with a die size of 484 mm². It has 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 4.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. Its cache layout includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 8.25 MB of shared L3. The W-2125 supports DDR4 memory over a quad-channel bus, with a theoretical memory bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s. It provides PCIe Gen 3 with 48 lanes from the CPU. The part number is SR3LM, and it uses the Intel Socket 2066.

The Intel Xeon E5-4640 v3 is a Haswell-EP part, manufactured on a 22 nm process. It packs 12 cores and 24 threads, with a base clock of 1900.00 MHz and a boost clock of 2.60 GHz. The transistor count is listed at 2,600 million, and the die size is 356 mm². Its cache hierarchy starts with 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and a much larger 30 MB of shared L3. It also supports DDR4 in a quad-channel configuration, but the memory bandwidth is lower at 59.7 GB/s. PCIe Gen 3 is present with 40 lanes from the CPU. The part number is SR22L, and it fits the Intel Socket 2011-3.

The architectural gap is significant. The W-2125 uses a newer process node (14 nm versus 22 nm), which typically enables higher clock speeds and better power efficiency. The E5-4640 v3 compensates with triple the core count and a much larger L3 cache (30 MB versus 8.25 MB). The W-2125 has a higher memory bandwidth (85.3 GB/s versus 59.7 GB/s), which can matter in memory-bound workloads. Both chips support ECC memory and lack integrated graphics. The W-2125’s boost clock of 4.50 GHz is far above the E5-4640 v3’s 2.60 GHz, which explains why the single-core performance gap is so small despite the E5-4640 v3’s architectural age.

The TDP figures differ as well: the W-2125 draws 120 W, while the E5-4640 v3 is rated at 105 W. The W-2125’s higher power draw is offset by its much higher clocks. The E5-4640 v3’s lower TDP, combined with more cores, suggests it is designed for throughput at a moderate power envelope, while the W-2125 is built for low-latency, high-clock response.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-4640 v3 has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Xeon W-2125 has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What is the clock speed difference?

A: The W-2125 runs at 4.00 GHz base and 4.50 GHz boost. The E5-4640 v3 runs at 1900.00 MHz base and 2.60 GHz boost.

Q: Which chip is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The E5-4640 v3 scores 8816, while the W-2125 scores 8455, a -4.1% difference in favor of the E5-4640 v3.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the W-2125 and the E5-4640 v3 have ECC memory support enabled.

Q: What is the L3 cache size on each?

A: The W-2125 has 8.25 MB of shared L3 cache. The E5-4640 v3 has 30 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which chip has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The W-2125 has a memory bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s, compared to the E5-4640 v3’s 59.7 GB/s. Both use quad-channel DDR4.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E5-4640 v3 wins in every recorded head-to-head benchmark. The database shows six out of six victories, with margins of 4% to 4.1% in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, across both multi-core and single-core tests. This makes it the better choice for workloads that are represented by these Cinebench runs, which typically stress rendering and general CPU compute. Its 12-core, 24-thread configuration provides substantial parallel throughput, and the larger 30 MB L3 cache likely helps in data-heavy applications. The E5-4640 v3 is the pick for multi-threaded rendering, simulation, or any task that scales with core count.

The Intel Xeon W-2125, despite losing all head-to-head tests, has a higher average benchmark score overall (2623 versus 2550). This is driven by its Geekbench scores of 4988 multi-core and 1323 single-core, which are not matched by any E5-4640 v3 data in the database. If Geekbench performance is a priority, the W-2125 is the only one of the two with recorded results, so it wins by default in that specific metric. Additionally, the W-2125’s higher boost clock (4.50 GHz versus 2.60 GHz) and greater memory bandwidth (85.3 GB/s versus 59.7 GB/s) suggest it may handle lightly threaded, latency-sensitive tasks better, even if the Cinebench single-core scores do not fully reflect that. The W-2125 also offers more PCIe lanes (48 versus 40), which could be relevant for expansion-heavy workstation builds.

In practical terms, the E5-4640 v3 is the winner for sustained multi-core workloads, as evidenced by its Cinebench lead. The W-2125 is the winner for platform features: newer 14 nm process, higher clocks, more memory bandwidth, and more PCIe lanes. The data does not show the W-2125 winning a single benchmark, so any claim of its superiority must rest on the average score and the unmeasured Geekbench tests.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The W-2125 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the E5-4640 v3 has 12 cores and 24 threads. Base clocks are 4.00 GHz for the W-2125 and 1900.00 MHz for the E5-4640 v3. Boost clocks are 4.50 GHz and 2.60 GHz, respectively. TDP is 120 W for the W-2125 and 105 W for the E5-4640 v3.

The sockets differ: the W-2125 uses Intel Socket 2066, while the E5-4640 v3 uses Intel Socket 2011-3. The process nodes are 14 nm for the W-2125 and 22 nm for the E5-4640 v3. The W-2125 has a die size of 484 mm², and the E5-4640 v3 has a die size of 356 mm². The E5-4640 v3 lists 2,600 million transistors; the W-2125 does not have a recorded transistor count.

Cache configurations are different: L1 is 64 KB per core for both, but L2 is 1 MB per core for the W-2125 and 256 KB per core for the E5-4640 v3. L3 is 8.25 MB shared for the W-2125 and 30 MB shared for the E5-4640 v3. Memory bandwidth is 85.3 GB/s for the W-2125 and 59.7 GB/s for the E5-4640 v3. PCIe lanes are 48 for the W-2125 and 40 for the E5-4640 v3.

The launch MSRP for the W-2125 is $444, and for the E5-4640 v3 it is $2859. Both are end-of-life products, with the W-2125 released in 2017-08-28 and the E5-4640 v3 in 2015-05-31. Both lack integrated graphics and have locked multipliers. The part numbers are SR3LM for the W-2125 and SR22L for the E5-4640 v3.