Intel Xeon W-2150B vs Intel Xeon W-2155 Comparison

The Intel Xeon W-2155 and Intel Xeon W-2150B are two remarkably similar workstation processors, both built on the same Skylake-W architecture with identical core counts and cache configurations. The benchmark data, however, reveals a consistent, if narrow, performance edge for the W-2155 across every single test. This head-to-head is not about fundamental architectural superiority, but rather about the incremental gains from higher clock speeds and the specific positioning of each chip.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The W-2155 wins all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons, but the margins are uniformly slim, ranging from 0.9% to 1.2%. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the W-2155 scores 1767 against the W-2150B’s 1750, a 1% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows the W-2155 at 249 versus 246, a 1.2% lead—the largest delta in the entire comparison. This pattern holds in Cinebench R20, where the W-2155 posts 7365 multi-core and 1039 single-core, against 7294 and 1029 for the W-2150B, respectively, both 1% differences.

Moving to Cinebench R23, the W-2155 again leads, scoring 17538 multi-core versus 17368 (a 1% edge) and 2475 single-core versus 2452 (a 0.9% edge). The only benchmark where the W-2150B has data that the W-2155 lacks is Geekbench, where the W-2150B scores 8481 multi-core and 1314 single-core. Without a corresponding Geekbench result for the W-2155, this cannot be directly compared, but the Cinebench pattern is clear: the W-2155 is consistently ahead. These deltas are small enough that in real-world, day-to-day workloads, the difference would be barely perceptible. However, for applications that are heavily dependent on single-threaded performance, the 1.2% lead in R15 single-core suggests the W-2155 has a slight edge in responsiveness.

The average benchmark scores reflect this overall trend. The W-2155 has an average benchmark score of 5072, placing it in the 60th percentile of all CPUs. The W-2150B averages 4992, landing in the 59th percentile. The W-2155’s nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5750GE with an average score of 5070 (0% delta), and the Intel Core i7-11850HE at 5095 (-0.4%). The W-2150B’s closest competitor is the Intel Core i3-12300HE at 4995 (-0.1% delta). This data suggests that while the two Xeons are close, the W-2155 sits in a slightly higher performance tier relative to the broader market.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2155 is faster in every multi-core test. It scores 1767, 7365, and 17538 in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core, respectively, compared to 1750, 7294, and 17368 for the W-2150B. The margin is consistently 1%.

Q: Is there a significant difference in single-core performance?

A: The difference is minor. The W-2155 leads by 1.2% in Cinebench R15 single-core (249 vs 246) and by about 1% in R20 (1039 vs 1029) and R23 (2475 vs 2452) single-core tests. While the W-2155 wins, the gap is not large enough to be a deciding factor for most applications.

Q: Do these CPUs have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon W-2155 and the Intel Xeon W-2150B have 10 cores and 20 threads. Neither has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not an option for either.

Q: What is the difference in their power consumption?

A: The W-2155 has a TDP of 140 watts, while the W-2150B has a lower TDP of 120 watts. This makes the W-2150B a more power-efficient choice, though it comes with a lower base clock.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory and expansion features?

A: Yes. Both support DDR4 memory with a quad-channel memory bus and an identical memory bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s. Both also support ECC memory and provide the same PCIe Gen 3 connectivity with 48 lanes from the CPU.

Q: How does the W-2155 compare to its market rivals?

A: The W-2155 has an average benchmark score of 5072, placing it in the 60th percentile. Its nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5750GE with a score of 5070, a 0% delta, and the Intel Core i7-11850HE at 5095, which is 0.4% higher. This shows it is competitively positioned among similar-generation workstation chips.

Architecture Differences

Both the Intel Xeon W-2155 and the Intel Xeon W-2150B are built on the same fundamental architecture. They share the same Skylake codename, specifically Skylake-W, and are manufactured on Intel's 14 nm process node at the same foundry. The die size is identical at 484 mm². There are no architectural innovations separating the two; they are essentially the same silicon, differentiated only by binning and firmware settings. The cache hierarchy is also identical, with 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and a shared 13.75 MB L3 cache. Both processors support ECC memory, which is crucial for workstation stability and data integrity, and both lack integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for display output. The market segment is the same for both: Server/Workstation, and both are marked as End-of-life in production status. The core difference in the architecture is the clock speed configuration, which is a specification rather than an architectural change.

Specification Differences

The specification sheet shows only a few areas where the two processors diverge. The most significant difference is the base clock frequency: the W-2155 runs at 3.30 GHz, while the W-2150B is set to 3.00 GHz. Interestingly, the boost clock is identical for both at 4.50 GHz. This means the W-2155 has a higher minimum performance floor, while both can reach the same maximum ceiling. The TDP reflects this clock difference, with the W-2155 rated at 140 watts and the W-2150B at 120 watts. The release dates differ, with the W-2155 launching on 2017-08-28 and the W-2150B on 2017-12-20. The W-2155 has a launch MSRP of $1440, while the W-2150B has no listed launch MSRP. Their part numbers are SR3LR for the W-2155 and SR3LS for the W-2150B. All other specifications—cores, threads, socket, cache, memory support, PCIe lanes, and architecture—are identical.

The Verdict

The data presents a straightforward picture: the Intel Xeon W-2155 is the better-performing processor. It wins every head-to-head benchmark by a consistent margin of roughly 1%. The source of this victory is clear in the specifications: the W-2155 has a higher base clock of 3.30 GHz compared to the W-2150B’s 3.00 GHz, while both share the same 4.50 GHz boost clock. This translates to a higher average benchmark score (5072 vs 4992) and a slightly higher percentile ranking (60th vs 59th). The W-2150B’s only advantage is its lower TDP of 120 watts versus 140 watts, which could be a consideration in a power-constrained system or for thermal management. However, for pure compute performance, the W-2155 is the clear winner. If you are choosing strictly based on benchmark results and maximum throughput, the W-2155 is the logical pick. If power efficiency is your absolute priority and you can accept a small performance hit, the W-2150B is the more frugal option.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Xeon W-2155: This is the winner in all performance-oriented scenarios. It takes the top spot in every Cinebench test, both multi-core and single-core. Its higher base clock gives it an edge in workloads that are sustained and don't rely solely on boost behavior. For users running long, multi-threaded renders in applications like Cinebench, or for those who need the absolute best single-threaded performance for lightly-threaded tasks, the W-2155 is the superior choice. The data shows it is consistently ahead, and its higher average benchmark score confirms its place as the faster chip. Its launch MSRP was $1440.

Intel Xeon W-2150B: The W-2150B does not win a single benchmark comparison. Its only advantage is its power profile, with a TDP of 120 watts, which is 20 watts lower than the W-2155. This makes it the better option for systems where thermal output and power draw are critical constraints, such as dense server environments or workstations with limited cooling capacity. In this scenario, the 1% performance deficit is a reasonable trade-off for a 14% reduction in rated TDP. However, it lacks the Geekbench data point for a direct comparison against the W-2155. Outside of this specific power-efficiency use case, the W-2155 is the recommended part based on performance metrics.