Xeon E-2278G vs Xeon Gold 5117

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-2278G vs Xeon Gold 5117 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-2278G vs Xeon Gold 5117: 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-2278G

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +24.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 80W instead of 105W, a 25W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics P630, while Xeon Gold 5117 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (16,825 vs 16,897).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 19 MB).
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon Gold 5117

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅+20.3% larger total L3 cache (19 MB vs 16 MB).
✅200% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E-2278G across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,286 MSRP, while Xeon E-2278G mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌31.3% higher power demand at 105W vs 80W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Xeon E-2278G can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E-2278G better than Xeon Gold 5117?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E-2278G is ahead with a 24.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 5117 pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. Xeon Gold 5117 also has the bigger cache pool with 20.3% larger total L3 cache (19 MB vs 16 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 5117 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 28 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 20.3% larger total L3 cache (19 MB vs 16 MB).

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

Xeon E-2278G is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon Gold 5117 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E-2278G comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,286 MSRP, and it still gives you a 24.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon Gold 5117 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.4% better PassMark. Xeon Gold 5117 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (13.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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-2278G makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2017). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E-2278G vs Xeon Gold 5117 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E-2278G

The Xeon E-2278G is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 May 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 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: 16,825 points. Launch price was $494.

Xeon Gold 5117

The Xeon Gold 5117 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 19.25 MB. L2 cache: 14 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 16,897 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E-2278G packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon Gold 5117 offers 14 cores / 28 threads — the Xeon Gold 5117 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Xeon E-2278G versus 2.8 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5117 — a 56.4% clock advantage for the Xeon E-2278G (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Xeon E-2278G uses the Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon Gold 5117 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E-2278G scores 16,825 against the Xeon Gold 5117's 16,897 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon Gold 5117. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Xeon E-2278G vs 19.25 MB on the Xeon Gold 5117.

Feature	Xeon E-2278G	Xeon Gold 5117
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	14 / 28+75%
Boost Clock	5 GHz+79%	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+70%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)	19.25 MB+20%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	14 MB+5500%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	16,825	16,897

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E-2278G uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Gold 5117 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Xeon E-2278G versus 2400 on the Xeon Gold 5117 — the Xeon E-2278G supports 11.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 5117 supports up to 768 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Xeon E-2278G) vs 6 (Xeon Gold 5117). PCIe lanes: 16 (Xeon E-2278G) vs 48 (Xeon Gold 5117) — the Xeon Gold 5117 offers 32 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C242,C246 (Xeon E-2278G) and C621 (Xeon Gold 5117).

Feature	Xeon E-2278G	Xeon Gold 5117
Socket	LGA1151	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666+11%	2400
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	768 GB+500%
RAM Channels	2	6+200%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	48+200%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Xeon Gold 5117 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x / VT-d / EPT (Xeon E-2278G) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 5117). The Xeon E-2278G includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics P630), while the Xeon Gold 5117 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon E-2278G targets Server. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 5117 rivals Xeon Silver 4114.