I don't lag as much, I don't know if it's cause my CPU is 10 years old, but there is a noticeable performance drop (compared to xfce)
This is not for CPU but for memory usage of different desktops:
Same data sorted by the average value:
There is no denial that the Gnome is rather heavy weight.
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How low Enlightenment is surprised me. I really like the Enlightenment Desktop, too...
I know that in first-hand experience 
Before I learnt how to run a printer server headless, I had to install Linux with desktop on <7 GB eMMC in Intel Compute Stick (the earliest and cheapest type).
The only distro which fit and still usable was Bodhi Linux with Moksha desktop (which is a fork of Enlightenment).