Xeon D-1581 vs Xeon E-2146G

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Xeon D-1581 vs Xeon E-2146G FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Xeon D-1581 vs Xeon E-2146G: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Xeon D-1581

2016

Why buy it

✅Draws 65W instead of 80W, a 15W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E-2146G across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (13,173 vs 13,240).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (1.5 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $400 MSRP, while Xeon E-2146G mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Xeon E-2146G can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Xeon E-2146G

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+700% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 1.5 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics P630, while Xeon D-1581 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Xeon D-1581.

Trade-offs

❌23.1% higher power demand at 80W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E-2146G better than Xeon D-1581?

Yes. Xeon E-2146G is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.5% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E-2146G is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.1% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E-2146G is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 700% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 1.5 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Xeon E-2146G is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Xeon E-2146G comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $400 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon D-1581 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 5.1% in the shared gaming data.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Xeon E-2146G makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2016), 700% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 1.5 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 16/32. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon D-1581 vs Xeon E-2146G Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Xeon D-1581

The Xeon D-1581 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 1.5 MB (per core). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1667. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 13,173 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon E-2146G

The Xeon E-2146G is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 July 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 13,240 points. Launch price was $317.

⚡

Processing Power

The Xeon D-1581 packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the Xeon E-2146G offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon D-1581 has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Xeon D-1581 versus 4.5 GHz on the Xeon E-2146G — a 60.9% clock advantage for the Xeon E-2146G (base: 1.8 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Xeon D-1581 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E-2146G uses Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon D-1581 scores 13,173 against the Xeon E-2146G's 13,240 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon E-2146G. L3 cache: 1.5 MB (per core) on the Xeon D-1581 vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon E-2146G.

Feature	Xeon D-1581	Xeon E-2146G
Cores / Threads	16 / 32+167%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	4.5 GHz+88%
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	3.5 GHz+94%
L3 Cache	1.5 MB (per core)	12 MB (total)+700%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019)
PassMark	13,173	13,240
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,557
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	6,385

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon D-1581 uses the FCBGA1667 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E-2146G uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon D-1581	Xeon E-2146G
Socket	FCBGA1667	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon D-1581) / Yes (Xeon E-2146G). The Xeon E-2146G includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics P630), while the Xeon D-1581 requires a dedicated GPU.