Intel Core i3-8145U vs Intel Xeon X5560 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i3-8145U wins every single head-to-head comparison in this matchup. Across five Cinebench tests spanning R15 through R23, the i3-8145U holds a consistent lead of roughly 14% over the Xeon X5560. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i3-8145U scores 322 against the Xeon’s 276, a delta of -14.3% from the Xeon’s perspective. That gap carries through to R20 multicore, where the i3-8145U posts 1342 versus 1154, and to R23 multicore, where it reaches 3196 against 2749. The single-core results tell the same story: R20 single-core shows 189 for the i3-8145U versus 162 for the Xeon, and R23 single-core shows 451 versus 388. Every deltaPct in the head-to-head table lands between -14 and -14.3, meaning the Xeon is consistently about 14% behind regardless of workload type.

This consistency is notable because the two chips have very different core configurations. The Xeon X5560 packs four cores and eight threads, while the i3-8145U manages only two cores and four threads. Yet the i3-8145U still wins multicore tests by the same margin as single-core tests. That suggests the i3-8145U’s architectural efficiency and higher boost clock – 3.90 GHz versus 3.20 GHz – more than compensate for the Xeon’s extra physical cores. The Xeon’s 2.80 GHz base clock is higher than the i3-8145U’s 2.10 GHz base, but that advantage evaporates under boost conditions where the newer chip pulls ahead.

Average benchmark scores align with these results. The Xeon X5560 averages 946 across its benchmark suite, while the i3-8145U averages 941. Despite the Xeon’s slightly higher average, the head-to-head tests all favor the i3-8145U. The Xeon’s nearest rivals include the Intel Pentium Gold G5400T and AMD Phenom II X6 1045T, both tied at 946, and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U trailing by 0.1% at 947. The i3-8145U’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-2715QE at 942 (0.1% behind) and the AMD Athlon X4 860K at 943 (0.2% behind). Both chips sit at the 25th percentile among all CPUs, meaning they occupy similar positions in the overall performance distribution.

Where Each One Wins

The i3-8145U wins every benchmark category in this comparison, but the nature of those wins matters for different use cases. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the i3-8145U’s 3196 versus 2749 represents a 447-point advantage – the largest absolute gap in the data. That matters for rendering workloads that scale across threads, even though the i3-8145U has fewer threads. The Xeon’s four cores and eight threads should theoretically help in heavily threaded tasks, but the benchmark results show the i3-8145U still comes out ahead by 14%. For single-threaded tasks like everyday desktop responsiveness or lightly threaded applications, the i3-8145U’s lead is equally pronounced: 451 versus 388 in R23 single-core.

The Xeon X5560 does not win any benchmark category, but its profile suggests where it might be less disadvantaged. With a 95 W TDP and server/workstation market segment, the Xeon is designed for sustained multi-threaded workloads in systems with robust cooling. Its 8 MB shared L3 cache is double the i3-8145U’s 4 MB, which could help in cache-sensitive server workloads. However, the data does not include any benchmark where that cache advantage translates into a win. The i3-8145U’s integrated UHD Graphics 620 gives it a capability the Xeon lacks entirely – the Xeon has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for any display output. For mobile users, the i3-8145U’s 15 W TDP versus the Xeon’s 95 W TDP represents a massive efficiency advantage, though the data does not quantify power consumption directly.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two chips spans nearly a decade of Intel design. The Xeon X5560 uses the Nehalem architecture (codename Gainestown) on a 45 nm process node with 731 million transistors and a 263 mm² die size. The i3-8145U uses the Whiskey Lake architecture (codename Whiskey Lake-U) on a 10 nm process node. The Xeon’s 45 nm node is three generations behind the i3-8145U’s 10 nm process, which explains much of the efficiency difference. Transistor counts are not available for the i3-8145U, but the process shrink alone implies significantly denser integration.

Cache configurations differ substantially. Both chips allocate 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, but the Xeon’s shared L3 cache is 8 MB versus the i3-8145U’s 4 MB. The Xeon’s larger L3 could benefit workloads with large working sets, but the benchmark data does not show this translating into performance wins. Memory support also diverges: the Xeon uses DDR3 with a triple-channel memory bus, while the i3-8145U uses DDR4 with a dual-channel bus. The i3-8145U’s memory bandwidth is listed at 38.4 GB/s; no bandwidth figure is provided for the Xeon. The Xeon supports ECC memory, the i3-8145U does not – a critical distinction for server reliability use cases.

PCIe generation differs as well. The Xeon supports PCIe Gen 2, while the i3-8145U supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The i3-8145U also includes integrated UHD Graphics 620, which the Xeon lacks entirely. Socket compatibility is completely different: the Xeon uses Intel Socket 1366, the i3-8145U uses Intel BGA 1528. The Xeon is a server/workstation part with a multiplier that is locked, as is the i3-8145U. Release dates are far apart – the Xeon launched in March 2009, the i3-8145U in September 2018. Both are end-of-life products. The i3-8145U carries a launch MSRP of $281; the Xeon has no launch MSRP listed.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear conclusion: the Intel Core i3-8145U outperforms the Intel Xeon X5560 in every measured benchmark, despite having half the cores and threads. The i3-8145U’s architectural advantages – newer 10 nm process, higher boost clock of 3.90 GHz versus 3.20 GHz, and more efficient memory subsystem – overcome the Xeon’s core count advantage. The consistent 14% lead across both single-core and multicore tests indicates the i3-8145U is simply the faster processor for Cinebench workloads.

Choose the i3-8145U if you need integrated graphics, lower power consumption (15 W versus 95 W TDP), DDR4 memory support, or PCIe Gen 3 connectivity. Its mobile form factor (BGA 1528) and integrated UHD Graphics 620 make it suited for laptops and compact systems. The Xeon X5560 retains advantages in ECC memory support, triple-channel memory bandwidth, and double the L3 cache (8 MB versus 4 MB). Choose the Xeon only if you specifically need ECC memory for error-correcting server workloads or if you have a Socket 1366 platform already in service. For pure compute performance as measured by Cinebench, the i3-8145U wins without exception.

Both processors sit at the 25th percentile among all CPUs, so neither is a performance leader in the broader market. The Xeon’s average benchmark score of 946 edges out the i3-8145U’s 941, but that difference of 5 points is within the noise of their nearest rival comparisons. The i3-8145U’s closest rival, the Intel Core i7-2715QE, scores 942, while the Xeon’s closest rival, the Intel Pentium Gold G5400T, scores 946. These are comparable mid-range performers, not top-tier parts.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon X5560 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Intel Core i3-8145U has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Is the Xeon X5560 faster in multicore tests because it has more cores?

A: No. The i3-8145U wins all multicore tests by about 14%. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the i3-8145U scores 3196 versus the Xeon’s 2749.

Q: Does the Xeon X5560 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon supports ECC memory. The i3-8145U does not support ECC.

Q: What is the TDP difference between these two processors?

A: The Xeon X5560 has a TDP of 95 W. The i3-8145U has a TDP of 15 W.

Q: Does either CPU have integrated graphics?

A: Only the i3-8145U has integrated graphics, specifically UHD Graphics 620. The Xeon X5560 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What memory types do these CPUs support?

A: The Xeon supports DDR3 with a triple-channel memory bus. The i3-8145U supports DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and has a listed memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon X5560 | Intel Core i3-8145U |

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

| Cores | 4 | 2 |

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.80 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.20 GHz | 3.90 GHz |

| TDP | 95 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1366 | Intel BGA 1528 |

| Architecture | Nehalem | Whiskey Lake |

| Codename | Gainestown | Whiskey Lake-U |

| Process Node | 45 nm | 10 nm |

| Transistors | 731 million | Not listed |

| Die Size | 263 mm² | Not listed |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 4 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bus | Triple-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 38.4 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 2 | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | UHD Graphics 620 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2009-03-29 | 2018-09-30 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $281 |

| Part Number | SLBF4 | SRFFZSRD1WSRD1V |