Intel Xeon W-1290P vs Intel Xeon W-2175 Comparison

# Intel Xeon W-2175 vs Intel Xeon W-1290P

The database records show a clean sweep for the Intel Xeon W-2175 across every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, despite the W-1290P carrying a newer architecture and higher clock speeds. The W-2175 wins all six Cinebench tests, with margins ranging from 4.8% to 5%. However, the W-1290P holds its own in the average benchmark score comparison, trailing by only about 6% overall. This makes for a subtle choice: the W-2175 is the raw performance winner, but the W-1290P is a more modern part with a different socket, smaller die, and integrated graphics. The decision comes down to platform priorities and workload type, not raw supremacy.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon W-2175 wins every head-to-head benchmark in the database. In multi-core tests, it leads by 5% in Cinebench R15 (2010 vs 1915), Cinebench R20 (8379 vs 7983), and Cinebench R23 (19951 vs 19008). The single-core results are nearly identical in margin: the W-2175 posts 283 vs 270 in Cinebench R15, 1182 vs 1126 in R20, and 2816 vs 2683 in R23, each a 4.8% to 5% advantage. The W-2175 achieves this with 14 cores and 28 threads versus the W-1290P's 10 cores and 20 threads, and a lower base clock of 2.50 GHz versus 3.70 GHz. The extra four cores and eight threads overcome the clock deficit in every recorded workload.

The Intel Xeon W-1290P does not win any of the six head-to-head tests, but it does have a notable edge in platform flexibility. It features integrated UHD Graphics P630, which the W-2175 lacks entirely. The W-1290P also has a much smaller die size at 206 mm² versus 484 mm², a lower TDP of 125 watts versus 140 watts, and a newer release date of May 2020 versus October 2017. In terms of average benchmark score, the W-1290P sits at 5443, which is about 6% below the W-2175's 5770. The W-1290P also has a Geekbench result in the database (8852 multi-core, 1703 single-core), which the W-2175 does not have recorded, so the W-1290P shows additional testing coverage.

The W-2175 also wins on memory bandwidth, with a quad-channel bus delivering 85.3 GB/s versus the W-1290P's dual-channel 46.9 GB/s. This nearly doubles the theoretical bandwidth, which matters for memory-intensive server workloads. The W-2175 also supports 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only) versus the W-1290P's 16 lanes, making it the stronger choice for expansion-heavy systems.

The Verdict

Pick the Intel Xeon W-2175 if you need maximum multi-core throughput and have a workload that scales across 14 cores. It wins every Cinebench test by 5%, and its quad-channel memory and 48 PCIe lanes make it a better fit for a workstation or server where memory bandwidth and expansion matter. The 61st percentile ranking versus all CPUs, along with an average score of 5770, places it slightly above the W-1290P's 60th percentile and 5443 average. The launch MSRP is $1947, and it is end-of-life, so availability may be limited.

Pick the Intel Xeon W-1290P if you want a newer, active production part with a lower TDP and integrated graphics. It uses Socket 1200, which is a more mainstream platform than the W-2175's Socket 2066. The W-1290P's launch MSRP is $539, and it has a smaller die and a 10 nm process node (the W-2175 is 14 nm). Its Geekbench scores (8852 multi-core, 1703 single-core) are solid for a 10-core part, and its 5.30 GHz boost clock is the highest in this comparison. The dual-channel memory and 16 PCIe lanes are limiting factors, but for a single-socket workstation with lighter expansion needs, it is a viable modern option.

If you are building a high-core-count rendering or simulation machine, the W-2175 is the data-backed winner. If you prefer a current-generation part with lower power draw and integrated graphics, the W-1290P is the practical pick. The database shows no scenario where the W-1290P beats the W-2175 in compute performance, so the choice hinges on platform features and longevity.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest margin in the head-to-head results is a 5% win for the W-2175 in Cinebench R15 multi-core (2010 vs 1915), R20 multi-core (8379 vs 7983), R20 single-core (1182 vs 1126), R23 multi-core (19951 vs 19008), and R23 single-core (2816 vs 2683). The smallest margin is the 4.8% single-core win in Cinebench R15 (283 vs 270). Across all six tests, the W-2175 maintains a consistent 5% lead, which suggests the extra cores are the deciding factor despite the W-1290P's higher boost clock of 5.30 GHz versus 4.30 GHz.

The W-1290P's closest performance comes in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it trails by just 13 points. That test is less dependent on core count, and the W-1290P's 3.70 GHz base clock helps close the gap. In multi-core tests, the W-2175's 14 cores and 28 threads produce a steady advantage. The W-1290P's 10 cores and 20 threads cannot offset the core deficit, even with a faster clock.

The average benchmark score comparison reinforces the head-to-head results. The W-2175 averages 5770, which is 6% higher than the W-1290P's 5443. In the nearest rival list, the W-2175 sits close to the AMD EPYC 7351 (5710, 1.1% delta) and the AMD EPYC 7401P (5814, -0.8% delta), while the W-1290P is near the Intel Core i9-10900X (5555, -2% delta) and the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920 (5425, 0.3% delta). These figures show both parts occupy a similar performance tier, but the W-2175 is consistently ahead in this pairing.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has better multi-core performance in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2175 scores 19951 versus the W-1290P's 19008, a 5% advantage. The W-2175 also wins R15 multi-core (2010 vs 1915) and R20 multi-core (8379 vs 7983) by the same 5% margin.

Q: Does the W-1290P win any benchmark against the W-2175?

A: No. The database records six head-to-head benchmarks, and the W-2175 wins all of them. The W-1290P has a Geekbench result (8852 multi-core, 1703 single-core) that the W-2175 lacks, but there is no direct comparison test where the W-1290P takes the lead.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth between the two?

A: The W-2175 supports quad-channel DDR4 with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth, while the W-1290P supports dual-channel DDR4 with 46.9 GB/s. The W-2175 offers nearly double the theoretical memory throughput.

Q: Does the W-1290P have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the W-1290P includes UHD Graphics P630. The W-2175 has no integrated graphics, so it requires a discrete GPU for display output.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The W-1290P boosts to 5.30 GHz, compared to the W-2175's 4.30 GHz. Despite this, the W-2175 still wins all single-core Cinebench tests by about 5%.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in TDP?

A: The W-2175 has a TDP of 140 watts, while the W-1290P has a TDP of 125 watts. The W-1290P draws less power, which matters for cooling and system power budgets.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Xeon W-2175 is built on the Skylake-W architecture using a 14 nm process node, with a die size of 484 mm². The Intel Xeon W-1290P uses the Comet Lake architecture on a 10 nm process node, with a die size of 206 mm². The W-2175 has 14 cores and 28 threads, while the W-1290P has 10 cores and 20 threads. Cache layouts differ: the W-2175 has 64 KB L1 per core and 1 MB L2 per core, with 19.25 MB shared L3. The W-1290P also has 64 KB L1 per core but only 256 KB L2 per core, with 20 MB shared L3. The W-1290P's smaller L2 is offset by a slightly larger L3 pool.

The W-2175 uses Socket 2066 and supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth, along with 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only). The W-1290P uses Socket 1200 with dual-channel DDR4 at 46.9 GB/s and 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only). The W-1290P includes integrated UHD Graphics P630, which the W-2175 does not have. Both support ECC memory, a key feature for workstation reliability. The W-2175 is marked as end-of-life, while the W-1290P is active in production. The W-2175 was released in October 2017, and the W-1290P in May 2020.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are the primary differentiators: the W-2175 offers 14 cores and 28 threads, while the W-1290P offers 10 cores and 20 threads. Base clocks are 2.50 GHz for the W-2175 and 3.70 GHz for the W-1290P, with boost clocks of 4.30 GHz and 5.30 GHz, respectively. TDP is 140 watts for the W-2175 and 125 watts for the W-1290P. The process node is 14 nm for the W-2175 and 10 nm for the W-1290P, with die sizes of 484 mm² and 206 mm².

Memory support is DDR4 for both, but the W-2175 uses a quad-channel bus with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth, while the W-1290P uses dual-channel at 46.9 GB/s. PCIe connectivity differs: the W-2175 has 48 Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), whereas the W-1290P has 16 Gen 3 lanes (CPU only). The W-2175 has no integrated graphics, while the W-1290P includes UHD Graphics P630. Sockets are distinct: Socket 2066 for the W-2175 and Socket 1200 for the W-1290P. The W-2175 has a launch MSRP of $1947, and the W-1290P has a launch MSRP of $539. Both have locked multipliers. The W-2175 is end-of-life with part number SR3W2, while the W-1290P is active with part number SRKT7. The W-2175's L2 cache is 1 MB per core, larger than the W-1290P's 256 KB per core, but the W-1290P has a slightly larger shared L3 at 20 MB versus 19.25 MB.