Intel Core i3-7300T vs Intel Xeon D-1520 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1520 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i3-7300T has 2 cores and 4 threads. The Xeon D-1520 doubles the core and thread count of the i3-7300T.

Q: What is the difference in base clock speeds?

A: The Intel Core i3-7300T has a base clock of 3.50 GHz with no boost clock, while the Intel Xeon D-1520 has a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 2.60 GHz. The i3-7300T starts at a significantly higher frequency, but the Xeon D-1520 can dynamically raise its clock when needed.

Q: Do these processors support ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1520 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i3-7300T does not. This makes the Xeon D-1520 suitable for error-correcting workloads common in server environments.

Q: What are the socket types for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i3-7300T uses Intel Socket 1151, a mainstream desktop socket, while the Intel Xeon D-1520 uses Intel BGA 1667, a soldered server/workstation package.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i3-7300T includes Intel HD 630 integrated graphics, whereas the Intel Xeon D-1520 has no integrated graphics. The i3-7300T can drive a display without a discrete GPU.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Core i3-7300T has an average benchmark score of 1211, and the Intel Xeon D-1520 has an average benchmark score of 1209. The Xeon D-1520 is listed as a nearest rival to the i3-7300T with a deltaPct of 0.2, and the i3-7300T is listed as a nearest rival to the Xeon D-1520 with a deltaPct of -0.1.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i3-7300T is built on the Kaby Lake architecture using a 14 nm process node, representing the desktop Core i3 generation. The Intel Xeon D-1520 is based on the Broadwell architecture, specifically Broadwell-DE for the Xeon D generation, also on a 14 nm process node. Both are manufactured by Intel, but their underlying designs target different market segments.

The i3-7300T has 2 cores and 4 threads with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and no boost capability. The Xeon D-1520 has 4 cores and 8 threads with a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 2.60 GHz. The Xeon D-1520 includes a transistor count of 3,200 million and a die size of 246 mm², while the i3-7300T does not list these specifications.

Cache hierarchies differ notably. The i3-7300T has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The Xeon D-1520 has the same 64 KB L1 per core and 256 KB L2 per core, but its L3 is 1.5 MB per core, which totals 6 MB across four cores. The i3-7300T’s L3 is shared, while the Xeon D-1520’s is allocated per core.

Memory support also splits these two. The i3-7300T supports DDR4 with dual-channel memory and a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Xeon D-1520 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 with dual-channel memory, but its memory bandwidth is not listed. The Xeon D-1520 supports ECC memory, a crucial feature for server reliability, while the i3-7300T does not.

PCIe connectivity differs: the i3-7300T provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Xeon D-1520 provides Gen 3 with 24 lanes (CPU only). The Xeon D-1520 also has a larger physical footprint and is soldered (BGA 1667) rather than socketed like the i3-7300T (Socket 1151). The i3-7300T includes Intel HD 630 integrated graphics; the Xeon D-1520 has none. The i3-7300T was released on 2017-01-02, while the Xeon D-1520 was released earlier on 2015-03-08.

The Verdict

The data clearly favors the Intel Xeon D-1520 for multi-threaded and single-threaded workload performance. In all five head-to-head benchmark comparisons, the Xeon D-1520 wins, with the i3-7300T trailing by roughly 15.8% to 15.9% in every test. If raw compute throughput is the priority, the Xeon D-1520 is the stronger choice, particularly for server or workstation tasks where its 4 cores and 8 threads can be fully utilized.

The Intel Core i3-7300T is the better pick for a desktop system where integrated graphics are needed. Its Intel HD 630 GPU allows for a display output without a discrete graphics card, which the Xeon D-1520 cannot offer. The i3-7300T also has a much higher base clock of 3.50 GHz, which may translate to snappier responsiveness in lightly threaded desktop applications, despite losing in synthetic multi-core benchmarks.

For ECC memory support, the Xeon D-1520 is the only viable option. Its support for DDR3 and DDR4 with ECC makes it suitable for reliability-focused builds. The i3-7300T lacks ECC entirely, limiting its use in error-sensitive environments.

Socket compatibility is another decisive factor. The i3-7300T fits the mainstream Intel Socket 1151, which offers upgrade flexibility and easy cooler mounting. The Xeon D-1520 uses Intel BGA 1667, a soldered package that is not user-replaceable, meaning it is typically integrated into a motherboard or system board. Choose the i3-7300T for a traditional DIY desktop build; choose the Xeon D-1520 for a compact, integrated server platform.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category. The Intel Core i3-7300T has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the Intel Xeon D-1520 has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are 3.50 GHz for the i3-7300T versus 2.20 GHz for the Xeon D-1520. The Xeon D-1520 adds a boost clock of 2.60 GHz, which the i3-7300T lacks.

Thermal design power differs: the i3-7300T is rated at 35W, while the Xeon D-1520 is rated at 45W. Socket types are incompatible: Intel Socket 1151 for the i3-7300T versus Intel BGA 1667 for the Xeon D-1520. Architecture generations are distinct: Kaby Lake for the i3-7300T versus Broadwell for the Xeon D-1520.

Cache configurations differ, with the i3-7300T having 4 MB shared L3 and the Xeon D-1520 having 1.5 MB per core L3. Memory support is broader on the Xeon D-1520 (DDR3 and DDR4) versus the i3-7300T (DDR4 only). Memory bandwidth is listed only for the i3-7300T at 38.4 GB/s. ECC memory support is present only on the Xeon D-1520.

PCIe lanes differ: 16 lanes for the i3-7300T versus 24 lanes for the Xeon D-1520, both Gen 3. Integrated graphics are present only on the i3-7300T (Intel HD 630). Market segments are Desktop for the i3-7300T and Server/Workstation for the Xeon D-1520. Release dates are 2017-01-02 for the i3-7300T and 2015-03-08 for the Xeon D-1520. The Xeon D-1520 has a launch MSRP of $199; the i3-7300T has no launch MSRP listed. Transistor count and die size are specified only for the Xeon D-1520 (3,200 million and 246 mm², respectively).

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Xeon D-1520 wins all five head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the Intel Core i3-7300T. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon D-1520 scores 421 versus the i3-7300T’s 354, a delta of -15.9% for the i3-7300T. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the Xeon D-1520 scores 1755 against 1477 for the i3-7300T, a -15.8% gap.

Single-core performance follows the same trend. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Xeon D-1520 scores 247, while the i3-7300T scores 208, a -15.8% difference. Cinebench R23 multi-core sees the Xeon D-1520 at 4179 versus 3519 for the i3-7300T, again -15.8%. Cinebench R23 single-core shows the Xeon D-1520 at 590 and the i3-7300T at 496, a -15.9% gap.

The consistency of these deltas—hovering between -15.8% and -15.9% across all tests—indicates a stable performance advantage for the Xeon D-1520 that scales across both multi-core and single-core workloads. Despite the i3-7300T’s higher base clock of 3.50 GHz versus the Xeon D-1520’s 2.20 GHz, the Xeon D-1520’s additional cores and threads, plus its boost clock of 2.60 GHz, deliver a decisive edge in every Cinebench iteration.

The i3-7300T’s average benchmark score of 1211 is slightly higher than the Xeon D-1520’s 1209, but this aggregate figure hides the head-to-head results. In direct comparison, the Xeon D-1520 leads by roughly 15.8% in each specific test, making it the clear winner for compute-intensive tasks.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon D-1520 wins in all measured benchmark categories. It is superior for multi-core rendering, as shown by its Cinebench R15 score of 421 versus 354, and its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 4179 versus 3519. The Xeon D-1520 also leads in single-core tests, with Cinebench R23 single-core at 590 versus 496, so its advantage is not limited to multi-threaded scenarios.

The Xeon D-1520 is the appropriate choice for server or workstation builds. Its 4 cores and 8 threads provide parallel processing headroom, ECC memory support ensures data integrity, and 24 PCIe Gen 3 lanes offer more expansion capability than the i3-7300T’s 16 lanes. Its support for both DDR3 and DDR4 memory adds flexibility for legacy or modern memory configurations.

The Intel Core i3-7300T wins in desktop integration. Its Intel HD 630 integrated graphics allow for a fully functional system without a discrete GPU, which the Xeon D-1520 cannot match. The i3-7300T also has a lower TDP of 35W versus 45W, making it easier to cool in a compact desktop chassis. Its base clock of 3.50 GHz is substantially higher than the Xeon D-1520’s 2.20 GHz, which may provide faster response in short, latency-sensitive tasks that do not scale across cores.

The i3-7300T is the pick for a standard desktop PC with a socketed motherboard (Intel Socket 1151), where the user can upgrade or replace the CPU. The Xeon D-1520 is soldered (Intel BGA 1667), so it is intended for embedded or integrated platforms where longevity and reliability matter more than upgradability.

For users who need ECC memory, the Xeon D-1520 is the sole option. For users who need integrated graphics, the i3-7300T is the sole option. The Xeon D-1520’s 5 benchmark wins out of 5 comparisons make it the performance leader, while the i3-7300T’s strengths lie in its desktop-friendly features and lower power draw.