Intel Core i3-10325 vs Intel Xeon D-1541 Comparison

The Intel Core i3-10325 and Intel Xeon D-1541 are both 14 nm Intel processors, but they serve different market segments: the i3-10325 is a desktop part with a 4.70 GHz boost clock, while the Xeon D-1541 is a server/workstation chip with 8 cores and 16 threads. In the recorded Cinebench benchmarks, the i3-10325 wins all six head-to-head comparisons, with margins between 3.3% and 3.4%. However, the Xeon D-1541 offers ECC memory support, more PCIe lanes, and a lower TDP. This analysis breaks down the architecture, specifications, and benchmark results to clarify which processor fits which use case.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1541 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i3-10325 has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i3-10325 wins all single-core Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 1234 versus 1194 for the Xeon D-1541, a 3.4% lead.

Q: Does the Xeon D-1541 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon D-1541 supports ECC memory, while the Core i3-10325 does not.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The Core i3-10325 has a TDP of 65 W, while the Xeon D-1541 has a TDP of 45 W.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Core i3-10325 has an average benchmark score of 2530, compared to 2447 for the Xeon D-1541.

Q: What is the release date difference?

A: The Core i3-10325 was released in March 2021, while the Xeon D-1541 was released in October 2015.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 14 nm process node, but they use different microarchitectures. The Core i3-10325 is based on Comet Lake (Comet Lake-R), while the Xeon D-1541 is based on Broadwell (Broadwell-DE). The Core i3-10325 has 4 cores and 8 threads, whereas the Xeon D-1541 has 8 cores and 16 threads. The L1 and L2 caches are identical per core: 64 KB and 256 KB respectively. The L3 cache differs: the Core i3-10325 has 8 MB shared, while the Xeon D-1541 has 1.5 MB per core. The Xeon D-1541 also has a larger die size of 246 mm² and 3,200 million transistors, while the Core i3-10325 does not have those figures recorded.

Memory support differs: the Core i3-10325 supports DDR4 only, while the Xeon D-1541 supports both DDR3 and DDR4. The Core i3-10325 has a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while the Xeon D-1541 does not have a recorded bandwidth. ECC memory is supported on the Xeon D-1541 but not on the Core i3-10325. PCIe connectivity also differs: the Core i3-10325 has 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, while the Xeon D-1541 has 24 lanes. The Core i3-10325 includes integrated UHD Graphics 630, while the Xeon D-1541 has no integrated graphics. The sockets are different: Intel Socket 1200 for the Core i3-10325 and Intel BGA 1667 for the Xeon D-1541. The market segments reflect their intended use: Desktop for the Core i3-10325, Server/Workstation for the Xeon D-1541.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i3-10325 outperforms the Intel Xeon D-1541 in every recorded Cinebench test. Across six tests, the Core i3-10325 leads by margins of 3.3% to 3.4%. This includes both single-core and multi-core workloads. The Core i3-10325 also has a higher average benchmark score (2530 vs 2447) and a slightly higher percentile rank (49th vs 48th). For users who prioritize raw CPU performance in Cinebench-style workloads, the Core i3-10325 is the clear choice.

However, the Xeon D-1541 is not without merit. It offers twice the core count (8 vs 4) and thread count (16 vs 8), which could benefit heavily threaded applications that scale beyond the measured benchmarks. It also supports ECC memory, a critical feature for data integrity in server and workstation environments. The Xeon D-1541 has a lower TDP (45 W vs 65 W) and more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16). Its launch MSRP was $581, while the Core i3-10325 had a launch MSRP of $154. The Xeon D-1541 is a server-oriented part with a different feature set, but in the recorded benchmarks, it trails the Core i3-10325.

Specification Differences

The following table lists the fields where the two processors differ, based on the database records.

| Field | Intel Core i3-10325 | Intel Xeon D-1541 |

|-------|---------------------|-------------------|

| Cores | 4 | 8 |

| Threads | 8 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 3.90 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.70 GHz | 2.70 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1200 | Intel BGA 1667 |

| Architecture | Comet Lake | Broadwell |

| Codename | Comet Lake-R | Broadwell |

| Generation | Core i3 (Comet Lake) | Xeon D (Broadwell-DE) |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 1.5 MB (per core) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3, DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 42.7 GB/s | Not recorded |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 24 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 630 | None |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Release Date | 2021-03-15 | 2015-10-31 |

| Launch MSRP | $154 | $581 |

| Part Number | SRH3H | SR2DE |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 3,200 million |

| Die Size | Not recorded | 246 mm² |

Note: Both processors have the same process node (14 nm), L1 cache (64 KB per core), L2 cache (256 KB per core), and dual-channel memory bus.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data covers six Cinebench tests. The Intel Core i3-10325 wins all six, with consistent margins around 3.4%. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Core i3-10325 scores 881 against 852 for the Xeon D-1541, a 3.4% advantage. In R15 single-core, the scores are 124 and 120, a 3.3% lead. Moving to R20, the multi-core result is 3673 vs 3554 (3.3% lead), and single-core is 518 vs 501 (3.4% lead). In R23, the multi-core score is 8747 vs 8463 (3.4% lead), and single-core is 1234 vs 1194 (3.4% lead). The consistency of these margins suggests that the Core i3-10325's higher clock speeds (3.90 GHz base, 4.70 GHz boost) more than compensate for the Xeon D-1541's additional cores and threads. The Xeon D-1541's lower clocks (2.10 GHz base, 2.70 GHz boost) limit its performance despite having twice the core count.

The average benchmark scores reflect the same trend: the Core i3-10325 averages 2530, while the Xeon D-1541 averages 2447. The nearest rivals for the Core i3-10325 include the Intel Xeon E-2244G (avg 2527, delta 0.1%) and the Intel Xeon E5-1650 v3 (avg 2545, delta -0.6%). For the Xeon D-1541, the nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-10500 (avg 2446, delta 0%) and the Intel Core i3-1125G4 (avg 2451, delta -0.2%). These comparisons place the Core i3-10325 in a slightly higher performance tier.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-10325 wins every recorded benchmark, so it is the superior choice for any workload measured by Cinebench R15, R20, or R23. This includes both single-threaded and multi-threaded rendering tasks. Its higher base and boost clocks give it a clear performance edge. For desktop users who need maximum CPU throughput in these applications, the Core i3-10325 is the better option.

The Intel Xeon D-1541, despite losing all benchmarks, has strengths in other areas. It supports ECC memory, which is essential for error-correcting workloads in servers and workstations. It has 8 cores and 16 threads, which may help in applications that scale beyond the Cinebench tests, though the recorded data does not show a win. It also has a lower TDP of 45 W, making it more power-efficient, and 24 PCIe Gen 3 lanes for more expansion options. Its market segment is Server/Workstation, and it supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory. For users who require ECC, a lower power envelope, or more PCIe lanes, the Xeon D-1541 is the appropriate choice, even though it trails in raw benchmark scores.

In summary, the Core i3-10325 is the performance leader in the recorded tests, while the Xeon D-1541 offers platform features that the Core i3-10325 lacks. The decision depends on whether raw Cinebench performance or server-oriented features like ECC and lower power consumption are more important.