Intel Core i3-8100T vs Intel Xeon E3-1515M v5 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon E3-1515M v5 wins every single recorded test against the Intel Core i3-8100T. Across all six Cinebench comparisons, the Xeon holds a consistent advantage of roughly 11% in both single-core and multi-core workloads. The recorded wins stand at 6 for the Xeon and 0 for the i3-8100T.

Looking at the actual scores, the Xeon E3-1515M v5 posts 507 versus 450 in Cinebench R15 multi-core, a delta of -11.2% for the i3. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the gap is similar: 5036 against 4467, again about 11.3% in favor of the Xeon. Single-core results follow the same pattern, with the Xeon leading 711 to 630 in R23 single-core, an 11.4% difference.

The i3-8100T does not secure a single benchmark victory in this comparison. Its strengths, if any, would have to come from areas not captured by these tests, such as platform flexibility or integrated graphics capabilities, which are discussed later. For pure compute performance as measured by Cinebench, the Xeon is the clear winner across the board.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 14 nm process node, but they come from different architectural families. The i3-8100T uses Coffee Lake, while the Xeon E3-1515M v5 uses Skylake (specifically Skylake-H). This generation gap matters: Coffee Lake is a later iteration of Intel's core architecture, yet the older Skylake design still outperforms it in these benchmarks.

The core counts are identical at 4 physical cores, but the threading differs. The i3-8100T has 4 threads (no Hyper-Threading), while the Xeon E3-1515M v5 has 8 threads. That doubling of threads is a critical factor in multi-core workloads, explaining why the Xeon maintains its lead even in tests that scale with thread count.

Cache configurations also differ. Both have 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, but the L3 cache is larger on the Xeon: 8 MB shared versus 6 MB shared on the i3. The Xeon also has a larger die size at 171 mm² with 2,300 million transistors, compared to the i3's 126 mm² die (transistor count not recorded for the i3). This reflects the Xeon's more complex design, which includes additional features.

Memory support is another differentiator. The i3-8100T supports DDR4 with dual-channel memory and a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Xeon E3-1515M v5 supports both DDR3 and DDR4, also dual-channel, but with a slightly lower bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. Both support ECC memory, which is notable for the i3 given its desktop positioning.

Integrated graphics differ significantly. The i3-8100T uses UHD Graphics 630, while the Xeon E3-1515M v5 uses Iris Pro Graphics P580. The Iris Pro line was Intel's premium integrated graphics solution at the time, designed for better visual performance in workstation and mobile scenarios.

The socket and market segment are fundamentally different. The i3-8100T is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1151, while the Xeon E3-1515M v5 is a server/workstation mobile chip on Intel BGA 1440 (soldered, not socketed). This affects upgradability and system design, but the benchmark data does not capture these practical differences.

The Verdict

From the recorded data, the Intel Xeon E3-1515M v5 is the better processor for raw compute performance. It wins every benchmark by approximately 11%, a consistent and meaningful margin. If the task is CPU-heavy, such as rendering, compiling, or other multi-threaded work, the Xeon's 8 threads versus the i3's 4 threads provide a clear advantage.

The i3-8100T is not without merit, but its merits lie outside these benchmarks. It has a higher base clock of 3.10 GHz versus the Xeon's 2.80 GHz, and it supports newer DDR4 memory with higher bandwidth (38.4 GB/s versus 34.1 GB/s). Its UHD Graphics 630 may be sufficient for basic display tasks, and its desktop socket allows for easier system building and future upgrades.

For a builder focused purely on performance per the database measurements, the Xeon E3-1515M v5 is the pick. It offers superior multi-threaded performance due to Hyper-Threading, and it even wins single-core tests despite a lower base clock, likely due to its 3.70 GHz boost clock versus the i3's lack of a boost clock entirely.

However, the Xeon's BGA 1440 socket means it is soldered to the motherboard, making it impractical for most DIY desktop builds. The i3-8100T, on a standard LGA 1151 socket, is far more accessible. The data does not capture upgrade paths or system integration costs, so the final choice depends on whether the user values the 11% performance lead or the desktop platform flexibility.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1515M v5 has 8 threads, while the Intel Core i3-8100T has 4 threads. Both have 4 physical cores.

Q: Does the i3-8100T ever win in Cinebench tests?

A: No. The database shows 0 wins for the i3-8100T and 6 wins for the Xeon E3-1515M v5 across all recorded Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests.

Q: What is the clock speed difference?

A: The i3-8100T has a base clock of 3.10 GHz with no boost clock recorded. The Xeon E3-1515M v5 has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the i3-8100T and the Xeon E3-1515M v5 support ECC memory according to the database.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Xeon E3-1515M v5 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i3-8100T has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Are these processors still in production?

A: No, both are marked as end-of-life in the production status field.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the head-to-head data is the consistency of the Xeon's advantage. In every single test, the delta percentage sits between -11.2% and -11.4% for the i3-8100T. This is not a case where one chip wins in some workloads and loses in others; the Xeon E3-1515M v5 dominates uniformly.

Starting with Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 507 against the i3's 450, a difference of 11.2%. The single-core R15 test shows 71 versus 63, an 11.3% gap. Moving to R20, multi-core is 2115 versus 1876 (11.3% delta), and single-core is 298 versus 264 (11.4% delta). The R23 results mirror this exactly: multi-core at 5036 versus 4467 (11.3% delta) and single-core at 711 versus 630 (11.4% delta).

The single-core results are particularly telling. The i3-8100T has a higher base clock (3.10 GHz versus 2.80 GHz), yet it still loses single-core tests by over 11%. This suggests the Xeon's boost clock of 3.70 GHz, which the i3 lacks entirely, accounts for the difference. The Xeon can push a single core to higher frequencies when needed, while the i3 is locked at its base clock.

Multi-core results are easier to explain: 8 threads versus 4 threads. The Xeon's Hyper-Threading effectively doubles its thread count, allowing it to process more parallel workloads simultaneously. The 11.3% advantage in multi-core tests is consistent with what one might expect from additional thread capacity, even if the actual gain is smaller than the theoretical 100% due to memory bandwidth and other bottlenecks.

Notably, the i3's higher memory bandwidth (38.4 GB/s versus 34.1 GB/s) does not translate into a benchmark win. The Cinebench workloads appear to be more sensitive to thread count and clock speed than to memory throughput. This is a useful insight for builders: when comparing these two chips, prioritize core count and boost clocks over memory bandwidth.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the two processors according to the database:

• Threads: i3-8100T has 4, Xeon E3-1515M v5 has 8
• Base clock: i3-8100T at 3.10 GHz, Xeon at 2.80 GHz
• Boost clock: i3-8100T has none recorded, Xeon has 3.70 GHz
• TDP: i3-8100T at 35 W, Xeon at 45 W
• Socket: i3-8100T on Intel Socket 1151, Xeon on Intel BGA 1440
• Architecture: i3-8100T on Coffee Lake, Xeon on Skylake
• Die size: i3-8100T at 126 mm², Xeon at 171 mm²
• Transistors: i3-8100T not recorded, Xeon at 2,300 million
• L3 cache: i3-8100T at 6 MB shared, Xeon at 8 MB shared
• Memory support: i3-8100T supports DDR4 only, Xeon supports DDR3 and DDR4
• Memory bandwidth: i3-8100T at 38.4 GB/s, Xeon at 34.1 GB/s
• Integrated graphics: i3-8100T with UHD Graphics 630, Xeon with Iris Pro Graphics P580
• Market segment: i3-8100T desktop, Xeon server/workstation
• Release date: i3-8100T on 2018-04-01, Xeon on 2016-01-23
• Launch MSRP: i3-8100T at $117, Xeon at $489

Both share: 4 cores, 14 nm process node, dual-channel memory bus, ECC memory support, PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes, and end-of-life production status. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. The i3-8100T's average benchmark score is 1500 with a 38th percentile ranking, while the Xeon's average is 1456 with the same 38th percentile ranking, despite the Xeon winning all head-to-head tests. The i3's nearest rival is the Intel Core i7-3770S (0.1% delta), while the Xeon's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE (-0.3% delta).