Intel Xeon W-2170B vs Intel Xeon W-2175 Comparison

These two Intel Xeon W processors present an unusual comparison: the W-2170B and W-2175 are, on paper, virtually identical, yet benchmark results show a clear and consistent winner. The data shows the W-2170B outperforms the W-2175 across every single test in the Cinebench suite, with a winning margin of 3.7% in most workloads. While both CPUs occupy the same 61st percentile against all CPUs, the average benchmark score of 5985 for the W-2170B versus 5770 for the W-2175 confirms a small but real performance gap that will matter for those running sustained multi-threaded workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The W-2170B takes a clean sweep in this comparison, winning all six benchmark comparisons against the W-2175. The most substantial win comes in the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, where the W-2170B scores 2085 against the W-2175’s 2010, a 3.7% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows a slightly larger relative gap of 3.9%, with scores of 294 and 283 respectively. This pattern continues across the newer benchmark versions: in Cinebench R20 multi-core, the W-2170B scores 8691 versus 8379, again a 3.7% lead, while the single-core R20 test shows 1226 against 1182, a 3.7% gap.

Moving to Cinebench R23, the most demanding test in the suite, the W-2170B maintains its edge with a multi-core score of 20693 compared to 19951 for the W-2175. The single-core R23 result follows the same trend: 2921 for the W-2170B and 2816 for the W-2175, a 3.7% difference. The consistency of the delta across all tests is striking. This is not a case where one chip wins in single-threaded workloads while the other wins in multi-threaded tasks; the W-2170B is uniformly faster across the board, and the margin never drops below 3.7%. Interestingly, the average benchmark scores reflect this gap: the W-2170B’s 5985 average places it 3.7% above the W-2175’s 5770 average.

When examining the nearest rivals for each chip, the differences become more contextual. The W-2170B sits 1.1% above the Intel Core i9-9920X (which averages 5917) and 1.2% above the AMD EPYC 7451 (5915), but trails the AMD EPYC 7501 (6128) by 2.3% and the Intel Core i9-7940X (6147) by 2.6%. The W-2175, on the other hand, is 0.6% behind the Intel Xeon E-2388G (5805) and 0.8% behind the AMD EPYC 7401P (5814), while staying ahead of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X (5730) by 0.7% and the AMD EPYC 7351 (5710) by 1.1%. This places the W-2170B in competition with higher-tier desktop HEDT parts, while the W-2175 sits closer to lower-end EPYC and workstation chips.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data leaves no ambiguity: the W-2170B wins in every category tested. There is no workload represented in the data where the W-2175 manages to take a lead. For multi-threaded rendering tasks, which the Cinebench suite directly simulates, the W-2170B’s 3.7% advantage in R20 and R23 multi-core tests means it will finish render jobs faster, though the difference is modest in absolute terms. The single-core wins of 3.7% to 3.9% are equally consistent, meaning the W-2170B also holds a slight edge in lightly-threaded tasks like UI responsiveness or single-threaded scripting.

The W-2175’s only justification in this comparison is its launch MSRP of $1947. Since the W-2170B has no listed launch MSRP in the data, no direct price comparison can be made. However, the performance data strongly indicates that the W-2170B is the superior processor for any scenario where Cinebench scores correlate with real-world performance. For users running video encoding, 3D rendering, or scientific simulations with multi-threaded code, the W-2170B’s higher multi-core scores translate directly into shorter processing times. For users running legacy or single-threaded applications, the W-2170B’s single-core advantage of 3.7% or more remains relevant, albeit less impactful than the multi-core gains.

Architecture Differences

Despite the differing part numbers, the architecture of these two processors is identical according to the data. Both are built on Intel’s 14 nm process node, manufactured in-house by Intel, and both use the Skylake architecture with the Skylake-W codename. The die size is exactly 484 mm² for both chips, and neither has any transistors count listed in the data. Both processors are from the Xeon W (Skylake-W) generation and share the same production status: end-of-life. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, and both lack integrated graphics entirely, making them dependent on discrete GPUs for any display output.

The cache hierarchy is also identical between the two. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and a shared 19.25 MB L3 cache. There is no 3D V-Cache option for either chip. The memory support matches as well: both support DDR4 memory via a quad-channel memory bus with a maximum memory bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s, and both have ECC memory support enabled. The PCIe configuration is the same, with Gen 3 connectivity and 48 lanes available from the CPU only. In terms of raw silicon, these are the same processor, which raises the question of why the benchmark results differ at all.

The only architectural difference that could explain the performance gap is the release date. The W-2175 was released on 2017-10-14, while the W-2170B came later on 2017-12-20. The data does not provide a reason for the W-2170B’s faster scores, but the two-month gap between releases might indicate a silicon revision or a different binning process that yields slightly higher clock stability or better thermal characteristics. Without more granular data, the cause remains speculative, but the effect is clear and measurable.

Specification Differences

The specification sheets for these two processors are nearly identical, with only two fields showing any difference. The first is the part number: the W-2170B is listed as SR3W3, while the W-2175 is SR3W2. The second difference is the launch MSRP, where the W-2175 is listed at $1947, and the W-2170B has no launch MSRP provided. All other specifications match exactly: both have 14 cores and 28 threads, a base clock of 2.50 GHz, a boost clock of 4.30 GHz, and a TDP of 140 watts. Both use the Intel Socket 2066, and both are locked processors.

The memory and I/O specifications are identical as well. Both support DDR4 memory with quad-channel access, both have 85.3 GB/s of memory bandwidth, and both support ECC memory. The PCIe implementation is the same, with Gen 3 and 48 CPU lanes. The cache sizes are identical across all three levels. The market segment for both is listed as Server/Workstation, and both are end-of-life products. The process node, foundry, architecture, codename, and generation are all the same. The only meaningful difference beyond the part number is the benchmark performance, which favors the W-2170B in every test.

This makes the specification comparison remarkably straightforward. There are no trade-offs to weigh, no clock speed advantages on one side, no cache difference to consider. The W-2170B is simply the faster of the two chips, despite having the same official specifications. The W-2175’s launch MSRP of $1947 is the only distinguishing feature, and even that does not affect the performance analysis.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: Both have exactly 14 cores and 28 threads. There is no difference in core count between the Intel Xeon W-2170B and the Intel Xeon W-2175.

Q: What is the performance difference in multi-core workloads?

A: The W-2170B leads by 3.7% in Cinebench R20 multi-core (8691 vs 8379) and by the same 3.7% in Cinebench R23 multi-core (20693 vs 19951). In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the gap is also 3.7% (2085 vs 2010).

Q: How do the single-core scores compare?

A: The W-2170B wins all single-core tests. In Cinebench R15, it scores 294 against 283, a 3.9% lead. In R20, it scores 1226 against 1182, and in R23, 2921 against 2816, both showing a 3.7% advantage.

Q: Are these processors the same architecture?

A: Yes, both are Skylake architecture with the Skylake-W codename, built on Intel’s 14 nm process. They share the same die size of 484 mm² and identical cache layouts.

Q: What memory support do they offer?

A: Both support DDR4 memory with quad-channel access and a memory bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s. Both also support ECC memory, making them suitable for error-sensitive workstation workloads.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The W-2170B has an average benchmark score of 5985, while the W-2175 scores 5770. The W-2170B’s score is 3.7% higher, and it also sits higher relative to its nearest rivals.

The Verdict

The data makes a clear recommendation: the Intel Xeon W-2170B is the superior processor. It wins every benchmark comparison by a consistent margin of 3.7% to 3.9%, which translates directly to shorter render times and faster completion of multi-threaded tasks. The W-2170B’s average benchmark score of 5985 also places it in a stronger competitive position, with its nearest rival being the Intel Core i9-9920X at only a 1.1% delta, while the W-2175’s closest rival is the Intel Xeon E-2388G at a -0.6% delta. For anyone building a workstation and choosing between these two chips, the W-2170B is the obvious pick if performance is the only criterion. The W-2175’s only listed advantage is its launch MSRP of $1947, which may matter if pricing is a concern, but the W-2170B’s performance lead is undeniable. Since both chips are end-of-life and share identical specifications, the decision comes down to the benchmark scores, and the W-2170B wins all of them.