Intel Xeon W-1290E vs Intel Xeon W-2145 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon W-1290E offers 10 cores and 20 threads, while the Intel Xeon W-2145 provides 8 cores and 16 threads. The W-1290E holds a 2-core and 4-thread advantage.

Q: How do the two chips compare in single-core performance?

A: The W-1290E wins every single-core Cinebench test. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 2330 versus 2159 for the W-2145, a 7.9% lead. Similar margins appear in R20 (978 vs 906) and R15 (234 vs 217).

Q: Which processor has faster memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2145 has significantly higher memory bandwidth at 85.3 GB/s, thanks to its quad-channel memory bus. The W-1290E uses a dual-channel bus and delivers 46.9 GB/s.

Q: Are both processors compatible with ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the W-1290E and W-2145 support ECC memory. This makes both suitable for workstation and server environments where data integrity is critical.

Q: What is the production status of each chip?

A: The Intel Xeon W-1290E is listed as Active, meaning it is still in production. The Intel Xeon W-2145 is marked as End-of-life, indicating it has been discontinued.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The W-1290E has an average benchmark score of 4775, placing it at the 59th percentile of all CPUs. The W-2145 averages 4576, at the 58th percentile. The W-1290E sits 4.3% higher in average score, though its closest rival, the Core i5-1350P, matches it exactly at 4776.

Architecture Differences

The two Xeon processors come from different architectural generations despite sharing the same 14 nm process node. The Intel Xeon W-1290E is built on Comet Lake, while the Intel Xeon W-2145 uses the older Skylake-W design. Both are manufactured by Intel, but the die sizes differ dramatically: the W-1290E has a 206 mm² die, whereas the W-2145 has a much larger 484 mm² die.

Cache organization also diverges significantly. The W-1290E allocates 64 KB of L1 cache and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, with a shared 20 MB L3 cache. The W-2145 matches the L1 allocation at 64 KB per core but jumps to 1 MB of L2 per core, while its shared L3 cache is only 11 MB. The smaller L3 pool on the W-2145 is notable given its larger die.

Memory architecture differs as well. The W-1290E supports dual-channel DDR4 memory, while the W-2145 supports quad-channel DDR4. This directly impacts memory bandwidth, as the W-2145's 85.3 GB/s more than doubles the W-1290E's 46.9 GB/s. Both support ECC memory.

PCIe capabilities also separate the two. The W-1290E provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The W-2145 offers Gen 3 with 48 lanes, a substantial expansion for multi-GPU or high-density storage configurations. The W-1290E includes integrated Intel UHD Graphics P630, while the W-2145 has no integrated graphics at all.

Sockets differ entirely: the W-1290E uses Intel Socket 1200, and the W-2145 uses Intel Socket 2066. The W-1290E was released on 2020-05-12, while the W-2145 launched earlier on 2017-08-28. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clean sweep for the Intel Xeon W-1290E across all six Cinebench comparisons. The W-1290E wins every test, with margins consistently hovering around 7.9%.

In multi-core workloads, the W-1290E's two extra cores provide a measurable advantage. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows the W-1290E scoring 16510 against 15299 for the W-2145. The R20 multi-core test yields 6934 versus 6425, and R15 multi-core comes in at 1664 versus 1542. Each of these results reflects the same 7.9% delta.

Single-core performance follows the same pattern, despite the W-2145 having a higher base clock of 3.70 GHz versus 3.50 GHz for the W-1290E. The W-1290E's higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz against 4.50 GHz appears to tip the scales. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the W-1290E scores 2330 versus 2159. R20 single-core shows 978 versus 906, and R15 single-core shows 234 versus 217. The deltas range from 7.8% to 7.9%.

The W-2145 does have one additional benchmark in the database: Geekbench. It scores 8712 in multi-core and 1345 in single-core. However, no corresponding Geekbench scores exist for the W-1290E in the recorded data, so a direct comparison on that test is not possible.

The aggregate win count stands at 6 wins for the W-1290E and 0 for the W-2145. The average benchmark score reinforces this: 4775 for the W-1290E versus 4576 for the W-2145.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category. Core count: 10 for the W-1290E, 8 for the W-2145. Thread count: 20 versus 16. Base clock: 3.50 GHz for the W-1290E, 3.70 GHz for the W-2145. Boost clock: 4.80 GHz versus 4.50 GHz.

Power draw differs substantially. The W-1290E has a TDP of 95 watts, while the W-2145 has a TDP of 140 watts. This makes the W-1290E more power-efficient on paper, particularly given its higher core count.

Socket compatibility is entirely different: Socket 1200 for the W-1290E, Socket 2066 for the W-2145. The architecture names also differ: Comet Lake versus Skylake-W. Die size shows a major gap at 206 mm² versus 484 mm².

Cache layout varies: the W-1290E uses 256 KB of L2 per core with 20 MB shared L3, while the W-2145 uses 1 MB of L2 per core with 11 MB shared L3. L1 cache is identical at 64 KB per core.

Memory channels and bandwidth diverge: dual-channel with 46.9 GB/s for the W-1290E, quad-channel with 85.3 GB/s for the W-2145. PCIe lanes also differ: 16 for the W-1290E, 48 for the W-2145.

Integrated graphics are present on the W-1290E (Intel UHD Graphics P630) but absent on the W-2145. Production status: Active for the W-1290E, End-of-life for the W-2145. Release dates: 2020-05-12 versus 2017-08-28. The part numbers are SRJFB for the W-1290E and SR3LQ for the W-2145. The launch MSRP for the W-1290E is $552, and for the W-2145 it is $1113.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points decisively to the Intel Xeon W-1290E for raw compute performance. It wins every recorded Cinebench test, both single-core and multi-core, with margins around 7.9%. Its higher core count, higher boost clock, and newer architecture contribute to this result. For workloads that rely on Cinebench-style rendering or CPU-bound single-threaded tasks, the W-1290E is the clear choice.

However, the W-2145 retains advantages in platform-level features. Its quad-channel memory bus and 85.3 GB/s bandwidth more than double what the W-1290E can deliver. The 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes on the W-2145 provide far more expansion headroom than the 16 lanes on the W-1290E. These factors matter for systems with heavy memory throughput demands or many PCIe devices, such as GPU compute nodes or high-capacity storage arrays.

The W-2145 also has a lower core count but a higher base clock at 3.70 GHz, which may benefit lightly threaded workloads that cannot reach the W-1290E's 4.80 GHz boost ceiling. Still, in the recorded benchmarks, the W-1290E wins single-core tests by a consistent margin.

The W-1290E is the better all-around performer for general workstation tasks, especially given its Active production status, lower TDP of 95 watts, and integrated graphics for systems that need a display output without a discrete GPU. The W-2145 is now End-of-life, which may affect long-term availability and platform support.

Users with memory-bandwidth-sensitive applications or those requiring extensive PCIe connectivity should consider the W-2145 despite its older architecture and lower benchmark scores. Users prioritizing core count, single-thread speed, and power efficiency should pick the W-1290E. The data does not favor the W-2145 in any direct Cinebench comparison, but its platform capabilities make it a niche option for specific workstation builds.