This is set to be our last Intel Xeon E-2100 series review for some time. Our Intel Xeon E-2144G review finds a chip that on one hand we like, but we would probably suggest our readers at least look elsewhere in the stack. This quad-core model has a number of features which make it interesting, and the high clock speeds make it ideal for applications where the sole requirement is high single thread performance.
Key stats for the Intel Xeon E-2144G: 4 cores / 8 threads and 3.6GHz base clock and 4.5GHz turbo boost with 8MB cache. Even including the integrated GPU, this CPU features a 71W TDP. This is a $272 list price part which is very reasonable for this level of performance in today’s market. Here is the ARK page with the feature set.
Here is what the lscpu output looks like for the chips:
For those sitting on a configurator page trying to decide between this SKU and the Intel Xeon E-2134, we think this is a better value at around $20 more. It has a slightly higher base clock speeds and the integrated GPU making the $20 increment worthwhile in many cases.
Test Configuration
Here is our basic configuration for this class of CPU:
- Motherboard: Supemicro X11SCA-F
- CPU: Intel Xeon E-2144G
- RAM: 4x 8GB DDR4-2666 ECC UDIMMs
- SSD: Intel DC S3710 400GB
- SATADOM: Supermicro 32GB SATADOM
The CPU itself supports up to 64GB of RAM, in a 4x 16GB configuration, today. Intel specs say that as 32GB ECC UDIMM modules become available, the CPUs will support 128GB in 4x32GB configurations. We see these platforms using 32GB or less given cost sensitivities.
There are going to be folks who want to point to AMD alternatives. As of this writing, there are really no alternatives in this space because while AMD may have competitive CPU parts, vendors have a vibrant Intel Xeon E-2100/ Core i3 ecosystem. AMD needs to do some work here to catch up, but it is not a focus market for them. Single socket servers in this segment are a relatively low volume area.
Next, we are going to take a look at our Intel Xeon E-2144G benchmarks, we are then going to focus on power consumption then conclude with our final words on the processors.
Yes, I’d love to use AMD Ryzen for some of our solutions – but as you say the lack of OOB management options makes it a difficult choice. Worried that the Tyan Tomcat EX S8015 is never going to make it to market – how long ago was that announced?! Especially when Intel has so many ongoing security issues with the parallelism of the out of order instructions etc. Moving up to Epyc doesn’t make sense for our SME marketplace.