Intel Xeon E-2246G

The Intel Xeon E-2246G is a 6-core, 12-thread server and workstation processor built on the 14 nm Coffee Lake architecture. It operates with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz, supporting DDR4 memory through a dual-channel bus with ECC capability. The processor carries an 80 W TDP, uses the Intel Socket 1151 interface, and includes integrated HD Graphics P630. Its average benchmark score of 3503 places it at the 57th percentile among all CPUs, indicating a solid mid-pack position for its generation.

How It Compares

The closest competitor by average score is the Intel Xeon E5-1680 v4, which posts an average score of 3502. The E-2246G matches this exactly with a deltaPct of 0, meaning the two processors are statistically indistinguishable in overall benchmark output. This is notable because the E5-1680 v4 belongs to a different platform generation, yet the E-2246G achieves parity in aggregate performance.

Against the Intel Xeon D-1732TE, the comparison is equally tight. The D-1732TE scores 3504 on average, a deltaPct of 0 relative to the E-2246G. This suggests that despite architectural and market-segment differences, the two CPUs deliver essentially identical composite performance. The E-2246G's higher boost clock may benefit burst workloads, but the aggregate scores show no measurable separation.

The Intel Xeon E-2186G is the only rival that edges ahead, with an average score of 3511. This represents a deltaPct of -0.2 from the E-2246G's perspective, meaning the E-2186G is a fraction of a percent faster. While the difference is negligible in real-world terms, the E-2186G does hold a slight statistical advantage in the overall average.

The Intel Xeon E-2176G sits at 3492 on average, giving the E-2246G a deltaPct of 0.3 in its favor. This is the largest gap among the four nearest rivals, but it remains under one percent. The E-2246G's lead here is consistent with its newer position in the Xeon E lineup, though the practical performance delta is minimal.

Power and Thermals

The E-2246G carries a TDP of 80 W, which classifies it as a moderate-power processor within the workstation segment. This figure implies that a capable air cooler with a standard tower design is sufficient for sustained operation, as the thermal load is well within the range of mainstream cooling solutions. The 14 nm process node contributes to this efficiency, allowing the 6-core design to operate at boost frequencies without requiring exotic cooling hardware.

For server deployments, the 80 W TDP means the processor can be accommodated in compact chassis with adequate airflow. The lack of an unlocked multiplier further reinforces its positioning as a stable, reliability-focused chip rather than an overclocking enthusiast part. The integrated graphics also add to the thermal envelope, but the overall power draw remains modest for a workstation-class CPU.

Benchmark Performance

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the E-2246G scores 1186, while its single-core score is 167. The multi-core result reflects the 6-core/12-thread configuration, delivering a roughly 7.1x scaling over the single-core score, which is typical for a well-implemented Hyper-Threading design at this core count. The single-core score of 167 indicates strong per-thread performance, consistent with the 4.80 GHz boost clock.

Cinebench R20 shows a multi-core score of 4943 and a single-core score of 697. The multi-core result places the chip in a competitive position against its nearest rivals, as the aggregate average score of 3503 aligns closely with the E5-1680 v4 and D-1732TE. The single-core R20 score of 697 is particularly strong, suggesting that lightly threaded workloads will see minimal latency.

Cinebench R23 results continue the pattern: 11771 multi-core and 1661 single-core. The multi-core score is roughly 7.1x the single-core score, mirroring the R15 scaling. This consistency across benchmark versions indicates stable performance under varying load profiles. Geekbench scores are 5988 multi-core and 1613 single-core, with the multi-core result showing a 3.7x improvement over single-core, reflecting memory and cache efficiencies at higher thread counts.

Relative to rivals, the data shows no significant deltas. The E-2186G's 0.2% lead and the E-2176G's 0.3% deficit are within measurement noise. This means the E-2246G delivers performance parity across the board, making it a predictable choice for workloads that are well-characterized by these benchmarks.

FAQ

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the Intel Xeon E-2246G?

A: The launch MSRP is $311.

Q: Does the E-2246G support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the processor supports ECC memory with DDR4 modules through a dual-channel bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s.

Q: What integrated graphics does the E-2246G include?

A: It includes HD Graphics P630, which provides basic display output without requiring a discrete GPU.

Q: How does the E-2246G compare to the Intel Xeon E-2176G in average score?

A: The E-2246G has a deltaPct of 0.3 over the E-2176G, meaning it scores slightly higher on average (3503 vs. 3492).

Q: What is the production status of the E-2246G?

A: The processor is end-of-life, with a release date of May 28, 2019, and it is no longer in active production.

Q: How many PCIe lanes does the CPU provide directly?

A: It provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, which is typical for a single-socket workstation processor.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The disparity between single-thread and multi-thread scores reveals the E-2246G's dual personality. In Cinebench R23, the single-core score of 1661 is exceptionally high, driven by the 4.80 GHz boost clock. This places the chip well above many older workstation parts in lightly threaded tasks, such as legacy software, certain script interpreters, or latency-sensitive database queries. The multi-core score of 11771, while solid, is only 7.1x the single-core result, which is slightly below the theoretical 12x scaling from 12 threads — a normal outcome due to memory bandwidth and thermal constraints.

The Geekbench results reinforce this split. A single-core score of 1613 against a multi-core score of 5988 shows a 3.7x scaling factor, which is modest for a 12-thread processor. This suggests that multi-threaded scaling is limited in some workloads, possibly due to the dual-channel memory bus providing 42.7 GB/s of bandwidth. Applications that are memory-bandwidth sensitive may see diminishing returns beyond 4-6 threads, whereas compute-bound tasks with good cache locality will benefit more fully from the 12 MB shared L3 cache.

For mixed workloads, the behavior is favorable. The high single-thread performance ensures that user-facing responsiveness remains crisp, while the multi-thread capability handles background compilation or rendering without stalling the primary thread. The 12 MB L3 cache is shared across all cores, which helps maintain data coherence in multi-threaded scenarios, though the per-core L1 and L2 caches (64 KB and 256 KB respectively) are modest by modern standards.

Who Should Consider It

Workloads that prioritize single-thread responsiveness will find the E-2246G particularly well-suited. The 4.80 GHz boost clock and high single-core Cinebench scores (167 in R15, 697 in R20, 1661 in R23) make it a strong candidate for interactive engineering applications, such as CAD modeling or real-time data analysis, where per-core performance directly impacts user experience. The integrated HD Graphics P630 also allows for basic display output in headless or light-duty workstation environments without a discrete GPU.

For multi-threaded creation workloads, the E-2246G delivers competent but not outstanding results. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 11771 is adequate for occasional video rendering or 3D scene compilation, but users who consistently push 8+ core workloads will find the 6-core/12-thread configuration limiting. The parity with the E5-1680 v4 and D-1732TE in average score suggests that the E-2246G does not break new ground in parallel performance; it simply matches its peers.

Office and general productivity tasks are handled with ease. The high single-thread performance ensures snappy application launches and smooth multitasking, while the 80 W TDP keeps cooling requirements modest. The ECC memory support is a decisive factor for users running long-duration computations where data integrity is critical, as it protects against memory errors that could corrupt results. Given its end-of-life status, the E-2246G is best suited for system integrators or buyers who need a proven, reliable workstation CPU with predictable performance in the 57th percentile range of all CPUs.