Intel Core i3-10110U vs Intel Xeon D-1518 Comparison

The Intel Core i3-10110U and Intel Xeon D-1518 occupy very different corners of the Intel lineup, yet their average benchmark scores land within a hair of each other. The database records an average score of 1131 for the i3-10110U and 1121 for the Xeon D-1518, placing both at the 32nd percentile among all CPUs. That near parity in overall numbers, however, masks a stark split in workload behavior. The Xeon D-1518 wins five of the six head-to-head tests, while the i3-10110U takes a single, dramatic victory in one legacy single-core test. The question is not which chip is faster, but which kind of work each one was built to handle.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the head-to-head data is the Cinebench R15 single-core test. The i3-10110U scores 162, while the Xeon D-1518 scores 54. That is a 200% delta in favor of the i3, the largest margin in any test. The i3's boost clock of 4.10 GHz, compared to the Xeon's base clock of 2.20 GHz with no boost listed, likely explains this gap. For a single-threaded workload from that era, the i3 is in a different league.

Every other test tells a different story. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Xeon D-1518 scores 390 against the i3's 326, a delta of -16.4% for the i3. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multicore: Xeon 1628, i3 1359, delta -16.5%. Cinebench R23 multicore shows the same margin: Xeon 3877, i3 3236, delta -16.5%. The Xeon's advantage in multicore work is consistent and substantial, roughly a 16.5% lead across all three Cinebench versions.

What is more surprising is the single-core results in the newer Cinebench versions. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Xeon D-1518 scores 229 against the i3's 191, a delta of -16.6% for the i3. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Xeon scores 547 against the i3's 456, again a delta of -16.6%. This is counterintuitive given the i3's much higher boost clock. The data suggests that the Xeon's Broadwell architecture, despite its lower clock speed, delivers better single-thread performance in these newer tests. The i3's win in R15 single-core appears to be an outlier, possibly tied to how that specific benchmark interacts with the Comet Lake microarchitecture.

The overall picture is clear: the Xeon D-1518 dominates in multicore and in the more recent single-core tests, while the i3-10110U has one narrow but massive win in a legacy benchmark. The Xeon's 4 cores and 8 threads, against the i3's 2 cores and 4 threads, give it a structural advantage in parallel workloads. The i3's high boost clock helps in one specific test, but not enough to overcome the Xeon's architectural efficiency elsewhere.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1518 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i3-10110U has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: The i3-10110U has a TDP of 25 watts, and the Xeon D-1518 has a TDP of 35 watts.

Q: Does the Xeon D-1518 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon D-1518 supports ECC memory. The i3-10110U does not.

Q: What is the process node for both chips?

A: Both the i3-10110U and the Xeon D-1518 are built on Intel's 14 nm process node.

Q: Which CPU has integrated graphics?

A: The i3-10110U includes UHD Graphics, while the Xeon D-1518 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the Xeon D-1518?

A: The launch MSRP of the Xeon D-1518 is $193.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and target different markets. The i3-10110U is a Comet Lake-U part, part of the Core 10th Gen family, designed for mobile systems. The Xeon D-1518 is a Broadwell-DE part, part of the Xeon D family, aimed at server and workstation environments. Both use the same 14 nm process node and are manufactured by Intel, but the underlying designs diverge significantly.

The Xeon D-1518 has a larger physical footprint, with 3,200 million transistors on a 246 mm² die. The i3-10110U has no transistor or die size data recorded in the database. The cache hierarchy also differs. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, but the L3 cache is organized differently. The i3 has 4 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Xeon has 1.5 MB of L3 cache per core. With 4 cores, that gives the Xeon a different cache distribution, though the total is not listed.

Memory support is similar on the surface, with both supporting DDR3 and DDR4, but the Xeon adds a dual-channel memory bus and ECC memory support. The i3 has no memory bus information and no ECC support. The Xeon also provides PCIe Gen 3 with 24 lanes (CPU only), while the i3 has no PCIe data recorded. The i3 includes integrated UHD Graphics, while the Xeon has none. The Xeon's market segment is listed as Server/Workstation, and it remains in active production, while the i3 is marked as End-of-life and targets the Mobile segment.

Specification Differences

The two chips differ in nearly every major specification field. The i3-10110U has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the Xeon D-1518 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The base clock is close, 2.10 GHz for the i3 and 2.20 GHz for the Xeon, but the i3 adds a boost clock of 4.10 GHz while the Xeon has no boost clock listed. TDP differs, 25 watts for the i3 and 35 watts for the Xeon. The sockets are different: Intel BGA 1440 for the i3 and Intel BGA 1667 for the Xeon.

The architecture and codename differ, with the i3 using Comet Lake and the Xeon using Broadwell. The generation labels are also distinct, with the i3 listed as Core i3 (Comet Lake-U) and the Xeon as Xeon D (Broadwell-DE). The Xeon has recorded transistor and die size data, while the i3 does not. The L3 cache configuration differs, as noted. The Xeon has a dual-channel memory bus, while the i3 has no memory bus entry. ECC memory support is present only on the Xeon. The Xeon has PCIe Gen 3 with 24 lanes, while the i3 has no PCIe data. Integrated graphics are present only on the i3. Market segments differ, as do production statuses, release dates, and part numbers. The Xeon has a launch MSRP of $193, while the i3 has no recorded MSRP.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data points to a clear division of labor. The Xeon D-1518 wins in every multicore test and in the newer single-core tests, making it the stronger choice for any workload that scales across cores or benefits from the Broadwell architecture's efficiency. The i3-10110U wins only in Cinebench R15 single-core, a legacy test where its high boost clock gives it a massive 200% advantage. For modern applications, the Xeon's consistent 16.5% lead in both single-core and multicore Cinebench tests suggests it is the more capable processor overall.

The i3's integrated UHD Graphics give it an edge in systems that need a display output without a discrete GPU. The Xeon, with no integrated graphics, requires a separate graphics card. The Xeon's ECC memory support and server/workstation market segment point to reliability and data integrity as priorities. The i3's mobile segment and lower TDP make it suitable for laptops and compact devices where power efficiency matters.

The Verdict

The data supports a straightforward conclusion. The Intel Xeon D-1518 is the better processor for most computing tasks, based on its wins in five of six head-to-head benchmarks and its consistent 16.5% lead in the more recent Cinebench tests. Its 4 cores and 8 threads, ECC memory support, and active production status make it a solid choice for server and workstation builds. The i3-10110U, with its single R15 single-core win and integrated graphics, is better suited for mobile systems or legacy single-threaded applications where its 4.10 GHz boost clock can shine. For anyone building a system today, the Xeon D-1518 offers more performance across the board, while the i3-10110U remains a niche option for specific, older workloads.