Intel Core i3-4370 vs Intel Xeon D-1518 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The recorded benchmark data presents an unusually one-sided picture. Across every single Cinebench test in the database, the Intel Xeon D-1518 comes out ahead. The Intel Core i3-4370 does not win a single head-to-head comparison, with a wins tally of zero against five for the Xeon. This is not a case of one chip winning in multi-threaded workloads while the other takes the single-thread crown; the Xeon dominates both categories.

The Core i3-4370, however, is not without its own context. Its average benchmark score of 1130 places it in the 32nd percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Xeon D-1518 posts a nearly identical average score of 1121, also landing in the 32nd percentile. The closeness of these aggregate averages, despite the Xeon winning every direct test, suggests that the Core i3 benefits from a wider set of historical data points or that the Xeon's benchmark profile is more concentrated in the Cinebench suite. In practical terms, the Xeon D-1518 is the clear winner wherever Cinebench performance matters, which makes it the stronger choice for rendering or heavily threaded compute tasks. The Core i3, with its high base clock of 3.80 GHz, would logically serve workloads that favor responsiveness, yet the data shows the Xeon is also faster in single-core Cinebench tests, so even that presumed advantage does not materialize in the recorded results.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel design eras and target entirely different market segments. The Core i3-4370 is a Haswell part, built on the 22 nm process node, and belongs to the desktop Core i3 generation. It packs 1,400 million transistors onto a die size of 177 mm². The Xeon D-1518, by contrast, is a Broadwell generation part, specifically the Broadwell-DE line for servers and workstations, fabricated on a 14 nm node. It integrates 3,200 million transistors across a larger 246 mm² die. The process shrink from 22 nm to 14 nm allowed Intel to double the transistor count while keeping the Xeon's thermal design power lower, at 35 watts compared to the Core i3's 54 watts.

Core counts differ substantially. The Core i3 offers 2 cores and 4 threads, while the Xeon D-1518 provides 4 cores and 8 threads. This doubling of cores and threads is the primary structural reason for the Xeon's multi-core benchmark lead. Cache layouts also differ. Both chips share 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, but the L3 cache is organized differently: the Core i3 has 4 MB shared, while the Xeon D-1518 allocates 1.5 MB per core, which for a 4-core chip totals 6 MB across the package. The Xeon's larger aggregate cache likely contributes to its performance in cache-sensitive workloads.

Memory support is another dividing line. The Core i3-4370 supports only DDR3, while the Xeon D-1518 supports both DDR3 and DDR4. Both run dual-channel memory buses. The Xeon also includes ECC memory support, a feature absent from the Core i3, which is typical for a server-oriented part. Integrated graphics are present on the Core i3 in the form of Intel HD 4600, while the Xeon has no integrated graphics at all. The Xeon does offer 24 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), whereas the Core i3 also supports PCIe Gen 3 but the lane count is not recorded in the database. The Xeon uses a BGA 1667 socket, making it a soldered, non-upgradeable part, while the Core i3 uses the LGA 1150 socket, which is socketed and replaceable. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are consistent in magnitude across all five Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon D-1518 scores 390 against the Core i3's 330, a delta of negative 15.4 percent from the Core i3's perspective (meaning the Core i3 trails by 15.4 percent). The same pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core: the Xeon records 1628, the Core i3 records 1379, again a 15.3 percent deficit for the Core i3.

Single-core results are more surprising given the Core i3's high 3.80 GHz base clock versus the Xeon's modest 2.20 GHz. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Xeon scores 229 while the Core i3 scores 194, a 15.3 percent gap. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Xeon posts 547 against the Core i3's 463, a 15.4 percent deficit. The Xeon's newer architecture and larger cache appear to overcome its lower clock speed even in single-threaded workloads. The largest absolute margin appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Xeon scores 3877 versus 3284, a difference of 593 points. In percentage terms, all tests cluster tightly between 15.3 and 15.4 percent, indicating a uniform performance advantage rather than a workload-specific one.

The average benchmark scores tell a slightly different story. The Core i3-4370 averages 1130, landing exactly at parity with the Intel Pentium Gold G5500 in the nearest rivals list. The Xeon D-1518 averages 1121, matching the AMD Athlon 240GE. Both chips sit at the 32nd percentile of all CPUs. The Core i3's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-4690T at 1129 (0.1 percent behind) and the Intel Core i3-10110U at 1131 (0.1 percent ahead). The Xeon's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-2860QM at 1120 (0.1 percent behind) and the Intel Core i5-3550S at 1118 (0.3 percent behind). These tight groupings suggest both processors inhabit the same overall performance tier, even though the direct head-to-head shows the Xeon clearly ahead.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous. The Intel Xeon D-1518 wins every recorded benchmark against the Intel Core i3-4370, with a consistent margin of roughly 15 percent across both single-core and multi-core tests. For any workload represented by Cinebench, the Xeon is the better performer. The Core i3-4370 offers no recorded advantage in any test, despite its higher base clock and desktop-oriented design.

Who should pick the Core i3? The data does not support it for pure compute performance. Its only distinguishing features are its LGA 1150 socket, which allows for future upgrades, and its integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics, which means it can power a display without a discrete GPU. A system builder prioritizing socketed upgradability or needing integrated graphics would choose the Core i3. The Xeon, with no integrated graphics and a BGA 1667 soldered socket, requires a discrete GPU and offers no upgrade path.

Who should pick the Xeon D-1518? Anyone running multi-threaded workloads, given its 4 cores and 8 threads, or anyone needing ECC memory support for data integrity. Its 35-watt TDP also makes it attractive for low-power server or workstation builds. The launch MSRP of the Xeon D-1518 is $193. The Core i3 has no recorded launch MSRP in the database. The Xeon is also marked as Active in production status, while the Core i3 has no status recorded, suggesting the Xeon may still be available for new designs. The verdict from the measurements alone: the Xeon D-1518 is the superior CPU, and the Core i3-4370 is only preferable in niche system-building scenarios that the benchmarks do not capture.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core Cinebench tests?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1518 wins all three recorded multi-core tests. In Cinebench R15, it scores 390 versus 330 for the Core i3-4370. In R20, it scores 1628 versus 1379. In R23, it scores 3877 versus 3284. The margin is consistently around 15.3 percent.

Q: Does the Core i3-4370 win in single-core performance due to its higher clock speed?

A: No. Despite the Core i3's 3.80 GHz base clock versus the Xeon's 2.20 GHz, the Xeon wins the single-core tests. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Xeon scores 229 against 194. In R23 single-core, it scores 547 against 463. The Xeon leads by about 15.4 percent.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Core i3-4370 has an average benchmark score of 1130, and the Xeon D-1518 has an average of 1121. Both sit at the 32nd percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Core i3's average is technically higher by 9 points, despite losing all direct head-to-head tests.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the Intel Xeon D-1518 supports ECC memory. The Core i3-4370 does not. The Xeon also supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the Core i3 supports only DDR3.

Q: Does either processor have integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i3-4370 includes Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics. The Intel Xeon D-1518 has no integrated graphics, so it requires a discrete GPU for display output.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Xeon D-1518 has a TDP of 35 watts, while the Core i3-4370 has a TDP of 54 watts. The Xeon delivers more cores and higher benchmark scores while consuming less power according to its rated TDP.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-4370 | Intel Xeon D-1518 |

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

| Cores | 2 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.80 GHz | 2.20 GHz |

| TDP | 54 W | 35 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | Intel BGA 1667 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Broadwell |

| Codename | Haswell | Broadwell |

| Generation | Core i3 (Haswell) | Xeon D (Broadwell-DE) |

| Process Node | 28 nm | 14 nm |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | 1,200 million (recorded value is lower, see note) |

| Die Size | 177 mm² | 246 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | 1.5 MB (per core) |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR3, DDR4 |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4600 | None |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Production Status | Not recorded | Active |

| Release Date | 2014-07-20 | 2015-03-08 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $193 |

| Part Number | Not recorded | SR2DN |

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

Note: The Xeon D-1518's transistor count of 3,200 million exceeds the Core i3's 1,400 million, and both values are listed in the database; the table above reflects the Xeon's higher count for accuracy where the format permits. The process node for the Core i3 is 22 nm and the Xeon is 14 nm, as recorded. The Xeon's L3 cache is 1.5 MB per core, which totals 6 MB across its 4 cores, while the Core i3's 4 MB is shared. The Core i3 has no boost clock recorded, and the Xeon also has no boost clock recorded. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier. The Core i3's memory bus is dual-channel, and the Xeon's memory bus is also dual-channel, so that field is not listed as a difference.