Intel Xeon W-1290 vs Intel Xeon W-2150B Comparison

The Intel Xeon W-2150B and Intel Xeon W-1290 are both 10-core, 20-thread workstation processors, yet they represent two distinct approaches to the same problem. The W-2150B is a Skylake-W part from late 2017, built for the high-end Intel Socket 2066 platform, while the W-1290 is a Comet Lake part from 2020, targeting the mainstream Intel Socket 1200. Benchmark data shows the older W-2150B holds a consistent, albeit narrow, edge across every tested workload, while the W-1290 counters with a lower TDP, integrated graphics, and a newer platform with a higher boost clock.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are remarkably consistent: the Intel Xeon W-2150B wins all six benchmark comparisons, but the margins are uniformly thin. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the W-2150B scores 1750 against 1718 for the W-1290, a 1.9% advantage. The single-core R15 test tells a similar story, with 246 versus 242, a 1.7% lead. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core gap widens slightly to 1.8% (7294 vs 7162), while the single-core delta is 1.9% (1029 vs 1010). The pattern holds in Cinebench R23, where the W-2150B posts 17368 multi-core and 2452 single-core, versus 17054 and 2407 for the W-1290 — again 1.8% and 1.9% margins.

These deltas are small enough to suggest run-to-run variance, but the direction is uniform: every single test, from R15 to R23, single-core to multi-core, lands in favor of the W-2150B. The average benchmark score reflects this, with the W-2150B at 4992 and the W-1290 at 4932. Interestingly, both processors sit at the 59th percentile among all CPUs, meaning they are effectively tied in the broader performance distribution. The W-2150B’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-12300HE (delta -0.1%) and AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5650G (delta -0.2%), while the W-1290’s closest competitor is the AMD Ryzen 7 4700G (delta -0.3%). The data suggests that while the W-2150B is technically faster, the real-world difference is marginal — a fact that becomes more significant when considering the architectural and platform differences.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge sharply in their underlying designs, despite sharing the same 10-core, 20-thread configuration and 14 nm Intel process node. The W-2150B is based on the Skylake-W architecture (codename Skylake-W), featuring a large 484 mm² die. The W-1290 uses Comet Lake, with a much smaller 206 mm² die. This size difference reflects their different origins: Skylake-W is a server-class design, while Comet Lake is a refined mainstream architecture.

Cache hierarchies differ significantly. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core, but the L2 cache is 1 MB per core on the W-2150B versus 256 KB per core on the W-1290. The L3 cache favors the newer part: the W-1290 has 20 MB shared, while the W-2150B has 13.75 MB shared. This 6.25 MB L3 advantage for the W-1290 could help in certain data-heavy workloads, but benchmark results do not show it translating into wins.

Memory support is another major split. The W-2150B uses quad-channel DDR4 with a theoretical bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s, while the W-1290 is limited to dual-channel DDR4 at 46.9 GB/s. This is a near-2x bandwidth advantage for the W-2150B, which likely explains its consistent multi-core lead despite the W-1290’s higher clocks. The W-2150B also offers 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), versus 16 lanes on the W-1290 — a critical difference for expansion-heavy workstation builds.

Clock speeds favor the W-1290: it runs at 3.20 GHz base and 5.20 GHz boost, compared to 3.00 GHz base and 4.50 GHz boost on the W-2150B. Despite this 0.70 GHz boost advantage, the W-1290 cannot overcome the W-2150B’s memory bandwidth and cache-per-core advantages in these benchmarks. The W-2150B also has a higher TDP at 120W versus 80W for the W-1290, which aligns with its larger die and quad-channel memory controller. The W-1290 includes Intel UHD Graphics P630 integrated graphics, while the W-2150B has none. Both support ECC memory and have locked multipliers.

The Verdict

From the benchmark data alone, the Intel Xeon W-2150B is the faster processor. It wins every single tested workload, with margins ranging from 1.7% to 1.9%. The consistency of these results, across single-core and multi-core tests, suggests the W-2150B’s architecture — particularly its quad-channel memory bus and larger per-core L2 cache — provides a fundamental advantage that the W-1290’s higher clock speeds cannot offset. The W-2150B’s average benchmark score of 4992 versus 4932 for the W-1290, combined with its 100% win rate in head-to-head comparisons, makes it the clear performance pick.

However, the W-1290 is not without merit. Its 80W TDP is significantly lower than the W-2150B’s 120W, which means less heat and potentially lower cooling requirements. It also includes integrated graphics, eliminating the need for a discrete GPU in basic display setups. The W-1290 is on the newer Intel Socket 1200 platform, which may offer more modern motherboard features, and it has a larger shared L3 cache (20 MB vs 13.75 MB) and higher boost clock (5.20 GHz vs 4.50 GHz). The launch MSRP of the W-1290 is $498, though pricing comparisons are outside the scope of this analysis.

For users prioritizing raw performance in CPU-bound workloads, the data clearly favors the W-2150B. For those building a system where power efficiency, integrated graphics, or platform availability are paramount, the W-1290 is a viable alternative — acknowledging that it loses every benchmark test by a small margin.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon W-2150B | Intel Xeon W-1290 |

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

| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.50 GHz | 5.20 GHz |

| TDP | 120 W | 80 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 2066 | Intel Socket 1200 |

| Architecture | Skylake-W | Comet Lake |

| Die Size | 484 mm² | 206 mm² |

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

| L3 Cache | 13.75 MB (shared) | 20 MB (shared) |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 85.3 GB/s | 46.9 GB/s |

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

| Integrated Graphics | None | Intel UHD Graphics P630 |

| Release Date | 2017-12-20 | 2020-05-12 |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Part Number | SR3LS | SRH94 |

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Xeon W-1290 has a boost clock of 5.20 GHz, which is 0.70 GHz higher than the W-2150B’s 4.50 GHz.

Q: Does the W-2150B support more memory bandwidth?

A: Yes, the W-2150B supports quad-channel DDR4 with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth, while the W-1290 is limited to dual-channel at 46.9 GB/s.

Q: Which CPU includes integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Xeon W-1290 includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics P630). The W-2150B has no integrated GPU.

Q: How do they compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The W-2150B scores 17368, winning by 1.8% over the W-1290’s 17054.

Q: Are both CPUs on the same socket?

A: No, the W-2150B uses Intel Socket 2066, while the W-1290 uses Intel Socket 1200.

Q: What is the production status of each?

A: The W-2150B is end-of-life, while the W-1290 is active.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon W-2150B wins in every benchmark test, so its use-case is straightforward: any workload where CPU performance is the bottleneck. The quad-channel memory bus (85.3 GB/s) and larger L2 cache (1 MB per core) make it particularly suited for memory-intensive tasks like large dataset processing, virtualization, or complex simulations. The 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes also make it the better choice for systems with multiple GPUs or high-speed storage cards. Its higher TDP (120W) suggests it is designed for sustained multi-core loads where the extra power draw is acceptable.

The Intel Xeon W-1290 wins in efficiency and platform features. Its 80W TDP is 33% lower than the W-2150B’s, making it easier to cool in compact workstation chassis. The integrated Intel UHD Graphics P630 means it can run headless or with basic display output without a discrete GPU. The higher boost clock (5.20 GHz) and larger L3 cache (20 MB) could theoretically benefit lightly-threaded tasks or workloads with high cache reuse, though the benchmark data does not show this advantage materializing. Its dual-channel memory (46.9 GB/s) and 16 PCIe lanes are more limited, so it is best suited for single-GPU or non-GPU workstation builds where power efficiency and modern platform compatibility are priorities. The W-1290 is also actively produced, whereas the W-2150B is end-of-life, which may factor into long-term availability decisions.