Intel Xeon W-1290 vs Intel Xeon W-1290E Comparison
Intel Xeon W-1290
Xeon W-1290E
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Xeon W-1290 vs Intel Xeon W-1290E
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The Intel Xeon W-1290 holds a clean sweep over the W-1290E across every recorded Cinebench test. The data shows a consistent performance advantage, with the W-1290 leading by margins between 3.2% and 3.4% in all six head-to-head comparisons.
In the Cinebench R15 suite, the W-1290 scores 1718 in the multicore test, beating the W-1290E's 1664 by 3.2%. The single-core R15 result shows a 3.4% lead, with the W-1290 posting 242 against 234 for the W-1290E. These are modest but consistent deltas, suggesting the W-1290 sustains its advantage across both lightly threaded and heavily threaded workloads.
Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern repeats. The W-1290 scores 7162 in the multicore test, while the W-1290E manages 6934, a 3.3% difference. In single-core R20, the W-1290's 1010 outpaces the W-1290E's 978 by the same 3.3% margin. The consistency of these deltas across different rendering workloads indicates a fundamental clock-speed advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.
The Cinebench R23 results reinforce the trend. The W-1290 delivers 17054 in the multicore test, compared to 16510 for the W-1290E, a 3.3% gap. In single-core R23, the W-1290 scores 2407, while the W-1290E trails at 2330, again exactly 3.3% behind. The uniformity of the performance difference is striking: the W-1290 wins every single benchmark in the database, and the margins are tightly clustered.
The aggregate benchmark average tells a similar story. The W-1290 has an average benchmark score of 4932, while the W-1290E sits at 4775. That is a 3.3% overall advantage for the W-1290. Both processors occupy the 59th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they are statistically peers in the broader performance distribution, but within this pairing, the W-1290 is consistently the stronger performer.
Where Each One Wins
The W-1290 wins in every recorded workload category. There are no benchmark tests in the database where the W-1290E comes out ahead. The W-1290's advantage is present in both single-core and multi-core tests, covering the full range of Cinebench's rendering engines from R15 to R23.
For users prioritizing raw single-thread performance, the W-1290 delivers a 3.3% to 3.4% edge across R15, R20, and R23 single-core tests. This makes it the better choice for lightly threaded applications, where its higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz translates directly into faster execution. The W-1290E's boost clock of 4.80 GHz explains the consistent deficit.
In multi-threaded workloads, the W-1290 again holds the advantage, with the same 3.2% to 3.3% margins in R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests. Both processors have identical core and thread counts at 10 cores and 20 threads, so the multi-core gap must stem from the W-1290's ability to maintain higher operating frequencies under load, despite its lower 80W TDP compared to the W-1290E's 95W.
The W-1290E does not win a single benchmark in the head-to-head data. Its higher base clock of 3.50 GHz, compared to the W-1290's 3.20 GHz, does not translate into any benchmark advantage. The recorded scores consistently favor the W-1290, making it the clear choice for any application where Cinebench-style rendering performance is representative of the workload.
Architecture Differences
Both processors share the same fundamental architecture: Comet Lake on Intel's 14 nm process, built at Intel's own foundry. The die size is identical at 206 mm², and both use the Intel Socket 1200 platform. The cache hierarchy is exactly the same, with 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache.
The core and thread configuration is also identical. Both have 10 cores and 20 threads, with no difference in simultaneous multithreading capabilities. Memory support is the same: DDR4 with dual-channel operation and 46.9 GB/s of memory bandwidth. Both support ECC memory, and both integrate Intel UHD Graphics P630.
The PCIe interface is identical as well: Gen 3 with 16 lanes available from the CPU. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and both were released on the same date in 2020. The part numbers differ (SRH94 for the W-1290, SRJFB for the W-1290E), but this appears to be a revision or binning distinction rather than a functional one.
The key architectural differences are the clock speeds and TDP. The W-1290 has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz, while the W-1290E has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The W-1290 runs a higher boost frequency, which explains its benchmark superiority. The W-1290E runs a higher base frequency, which may help in sustained all-core workloads, but the recorded benchmarks show the W-1290 winning anyway.
The TDP values differ meaningfully: the W-1290 is rated at 80W, while the W-1290E is rated at 95W. This is counterintuitive given the W-1290's better performance, but the recorded data shows that the W-1290 achieves higher boost clocks while consuming a lower rated power envelope. The W-1290E's higher TDP does not result in any performance advantage in the database's measurements.
The Verdict
The data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon W-1290 is the superior processor in this pairing. It wins all six head-to-head benchmarks, with every margin falling between 3.2% and 3.4%. The average benchmark score confirms the pattern, with the W-1290 at 4932 versus 4775 for the W-1290E.
Users should choose the W-1290 if they want the best recorded performance in the database. Its higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz, compared to 4.80 GHz for the W-1290E, provides a consistent edge across both single-core and multi-core workloads. The lower TDP of 80W versus 95W also suggests better efficiency, though the database does not directly measure power consumption.
The W-1290E is not the recommended pick based on benchmark data. It has a higher base clock of 3.50 GHz, which could theoretically benefit workloads that run at sustained base frequencies, but the recorded Cinebench scores do not reflect any such advantage. The W-1290E's launch MSRP is $552, while the W-1290 has a launch MSRP of $498, meaning the slower processor also carries a higher price at launch. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not an option to close the gap.
For server or workstation deployments where Cinebench performance is indicative of real-world rendering, video encoding, or scientific computing, the W-1290 is the clear choice. The W-1290E may have a niche for workloads that favor its higher base clock, but the database provides no evidence of such a benefit. The verdict is simple: pick the W-1290.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?
A: The Intel Xeon W-1290 has a boost clock of 5.20 GHz, while the Intel Xeon W-1290E has a boost clock of 4.80 GHz.
Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two?
A: The W-1290 has an average benchmark score of 4932, while the W-1290E scores 4775, a 3.3% advantage for the W-1290.
Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?
A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon W-1290 and Intel Xeon W-1290E support ECC memory.
Q: What is the TDP difference between the two processors?
A: The W-1290 has a TDP of 80W, while the W-1290E has a TDP of 95W.
Q: Which processor has more cores?
A: Both processors have exactly 10 cores and 20 threads, so there is no difference in core count.
Q: What is the launch MSRP of each processor?
A: The W-1290 has a launch MSRP of $498, and the W-1290E has a launch MSRP of $552.
Specification Differences
| Specification | Intel Xeon W-1290 | Intel Xeon W-1290E |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 3.50 GHz |
| Boost Clock | 5.20 GHz | 4.80 GHz |
| TDP | 80W | 95W |
| Launch MSRP | $498 | $552 |
| Part Number | SRH94 | SRJFB |
All other recorded specifications are identical between the two processors: 10 cores, 20 threads, 14 nm process, 206 mm² die size, 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, 20 MB shared L3, DDR4 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, 46.9 GB/s memory bandwidth, ECC memory support, Gen 3 PCIe with 16 lanes, Intel UHD Graphics P630, Intel Socket 1200, Comet Lake architecture, and a release date of 2020-05-12. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.