Xeon E-2226GE vs Xeon W-2125

Intel

Xeon E-2226GE

6 Cores6 Thrd80 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2019
Similar parts
·······
VS
Intel

Xeon W-2125

4 Cores8 Thrd120 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2017
Similar parts
·······

Xeon E-2226GE vs Xeon W-2125 Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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 E-2226GE vs Xeon W-2125 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 E-2226GE vs Xeon W-2125: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E-2226GE

2019

Why buy it

  • +0.3% higher PassMark.
  • +45.5% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8.3 MB).
  • Draws 80W instead of 120W, a 40W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W-2125 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon W-2125

2017

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +15.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (10,000 vs 10,026).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (8.3 MB vs 12 MB).
  • Launch MSRP is still $444 MSRP, while Xeon E-2226GE mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 50% higher power demand at 120W vs 80W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E-2226GE better than Xeon W-2125?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon W-2125 is ahead with a 15.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E-2226GE pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark. Xeon E-2226GE also has the bigger cache pool with 45.5% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8.3 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E-2226GE is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 45.5% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8.3 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon E-2226GE is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon W-2125 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E-2226GE comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $444 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon W-2125 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 15.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon W-2125 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (22.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Xeon E-2226GE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2017), 45.5% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8.3 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 6 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E-2226GE vs Xeon W-2125 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Xeon E-2226GE

The Xeon E-2226GE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 June 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 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. Passmark benchmark score: 10,026 points. Launch price was $286.

Intel

Xeon W-2125

The Xeon W-2125 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 August 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8.25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400, DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 10,000 points. Launch price was $444.

Processing Power

The Xeon E-2226GE packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Xeon W-2125 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Xeon E-2226GE has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Xeon E-2226GE versus 4.5 GHz on the Xeon W-2125 — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Xeon E-2226GE (base: 3.4 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Xeon E-2226GE uses the Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon W-2125 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E-2226GE scores 10,026 against the Xeon W-2125's 10,000 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon E-2226GE. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Xeon E-2226GE vs 8.25 MB (total) on the Xeon W-2125.

FeatureXeon E-2226GEXeon W-2125
Cores / Threads
6 / 6+50%
4 / 8
Boost Clock
4.6 GHz+2%
4.5 GHz
Base Clock
3.4 GHz
4 GHz+18%
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)+45%
8.25 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
1 MB (per core)+300%
Process
14 nm
14 nm
Architecture
Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019)
Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark
10,026
10,000
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E-2226GE uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W-2125 uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureXeon E-2226GEXeon W-2125
Socket
LGA1151
LGA2066
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity
512 GB
RAM Channels
4
ECC Support
Yes
PCIe Lanes
48
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E-2226GE) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon W-2125). Primary use case: Xeon W-2125 targets Workstation.

FeatureXeon E-2226GEXeon W-2125
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Workstation