Intel Core i5-1035G4 vs Intel Xeon E3-1505M v5 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data from the database shows a remarkably consistent picture: the Intel Core i5-1035G4 wins every single recorded Cinebench test against the Intel Xeon E3-1505M v5. Out of six head-to-head comparisons, the i5-1035G4 takes all six, while the Xeon does not secure a single victory. This is not a case of one chip excelling in one workload and the other in another; the newer mobile processor simply outperforms the older workstation part across the board.

Looking at the raw numbers, the margins are slim but uniform. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-1035G4 scores 648 against the Xeon's 633, a 2.4% advantage. The single-core R15 test tells a similar story: 91 points versus 89 points, a 2.2% lead. The pattern repeats in R20. The i5-1035G4 posts 2703 in multi-core compared to the Xeon's 2639, and 381 to 372 in single-core. In both of these R20 tests, the delta is 2.4% in favor of the i5-1035G4.

The most demanding workloads in the data, Cinebench R23, illustrate the same trend. The i5-1035G4 scores 6436 in multi-core, while the Xeon trails at 6284, a 2.4% advantage. On the single-core front, the i5-1035G4's 908 points beat the Xeon's 887 points, again by 2.4%. The consistency of this 2.4% delta across almost every test suggests a structural performance advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk. The data indicates the i5-1035G4 is ahead in both heavily threaded and lightly threaded scenarios.

These numbers also place each chip in a broader context. The i5-1035G4 holds an average benchmark score of 1861 across the database, which sits just below the Intel Core i3-9350K (which averages 1867, a 0.3% delta) and just above the Intel Core i5-7600 (which averages 1844, a 0.9% delta). The Xeon E3-1505M v5, by contrast, averages 1817, landing just above the Intel Core i5-6600K's average of 1816 (a 0.1% delta). The gap between the two chips in average score is roughly 44 points, which corresponds to their head-to-head margins. Both chips land in the 42nd percentile of all CPUs in the database, indicating they are competing in the same performance tier, but the i5-1035G4 is at the top of that tier.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras and are built for different purposes. The i5-1035G4 is based on Intel's Ice Lake architecture, specifically the Ice Lake-U codename, and is built on a 10 nm process. The Xeon E3-1505M v5 uses the older Skylake design, known as Skylake-H, fabricated on a 14 nm process. This process shrink is a major factor in the performance and efficiency differences seen in the benchmarks.

Both chips feature four cores and eight threads, meaning they have identical thread counts. However, the cache hierarchy tells a different story. The i5-1035G4 carries 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, alongside 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Xeon E3-1505M v5 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and the same 256 KB of L2 per core, but its shared L3 is larger at 8 MB. This means the Xeon has a 2 MB advantage in the last-level cache, which can be beneficial in certain memory-heavy workloads, but it was not enough to overcome the i5-1035G4's architecture advantages in the recorded Cinebench runs.

The transistor counts and die sizes reflect the different process nodes. The Xeon packs 2,300 million transistors into a die size of 122 mm². The i5-1035G4's die is measured at 123 mm², nearly identical in physical size, although its transistor count is not listed in the database. The 10 nm process allows the i5-1035G4 to achieve similar die dimensions with a much lower thermal design power. The i5-1035G4 is rated at a 15-watt TDP, while the Xeon E3-1505M v5 is rated at 45 watts. This is a substantial power envelope difference: the Xeon draws three times the thermal budget but still trails in performance.

The i5-1035G4 features a base clock of 1.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz, whereas the Xeon has a much higher base clock of 2.80 GHz with the same 3.70 GHz boost. The fact that the i5-1035G4 can match and beat the Xeon's performance despite starting from a much lower base clock speaks to the efficiency of the newer Ice Lake architecture. Both processors support dual-channel memory, but the i5-1035G4 has a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the Xeon is limited to 34.1 GB/s. The Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the i5-1035G4 lists only DDR4.

The integrated graphics are also different. The i5-1035G4 uses Iris Plus, while the Xeon E3-1505M v5 includes HD Graphics P530. The Xeon, as a workstation part, supports ECC memory, which the i5-1035G4 does not. This is a critical feature for the Xeon's intended market segment. The Xeon is classified as a Server/Workstation chip, while the i5-1035G4 is a Mobile part. The Xeon uses the Intel BGA 1440 socket, and the i5-1035G4 uses Intel BGA 1526. Both support PCIe Gen 3, but the Xeon's specification notes 16 lanes on the CPU only. The i5-1035G4 is still listed as Active in production, while the Xeon is End-of-life.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous. The Intel Core i5-1035G4 wins every single Cinebench comparison. The largest recorded win is a 2.4% lead in multi-core and single-core tests across R20 and R23, with the R15 multi-core also at 2.4% and the R15 single-core at 2.2%. For any user prioritizing raw Cinebench performance, the i5-1035G4 is the superior chip. It achieves these results while consuming a 15-watt TDP, which is one-third of the Xeon's 45-watt rating. The data shows a more efficient design that does not sacrifice performance for power.

The Xeon E3-1505M v5 does have one clear advantage in the recorded data: it supports ECC memory, and the i5-1035G4 does not. For workstation or server workloads that require error-correcting memory for data integrity, the Xeon is the only option that meets that requirement. The Xeon also has a larger 8 MB L3 cache compared to the i5-1035G4's 6 MB, which is a consideration for certain workloads. However, in the Cinebench tests, this cache advantage did not translate into a performance win.

The Xeon's base clock is significantly higher at 2.80 GHz versus 1.10 GHz, which might suggest better responsiveness in short bursts, but the boost clocks are identical at 3.70 GHz, and the i5-1035G4 still wins the single-core tests. The i5-1035G4 also offers higher memory bandwidth at 51.2 GB/s versus 34.1 GB/s, which likely contributes to its multi-core performance lead.

The verdict is clear for general compute tasks: the i5-1035G4 is the better performer in the database's recorded tests. For a workstation that demands ECC memory support, the Xeon E3-1505M v5 is the only choice here, despite its performance deficit. The i5-1035G4 is the pick for anyone, particularly in mobile. The Xeon's launch MSRP is $434, which is a relevant data point for its positioning as a premium workstation part, but the i5-1035G4's launch MSRP is not listed in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i5-1035G4 scores 6436 points, while the Intel Xeon E3-1505M v5 scores 6284 points. This gives the i5-1035G4 a 2.4% lead.

Q: Does the Xeon E3-1505M v5 win any of the six benchmark comparisons?

A: No. The i5-1035G4 wins all six recorded head-to-head comparisons. The Xeon has zero wins.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption between the two chips?

A: The i5-1035G4 has a TDP of 15 watts, while the Xeon E3-1505M v5 has a TDP of 45 watts. The i5-1035G4 consumes significantly less power.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1505M v5 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i5-1035G4 does not.

Q: How do the two chips compare in average benchmark score?

A: The i5-1035G4 has an average benchmark score of 1861, and the Xeon E3-1505M v5 has an average of 1817. The i5-1035G4's score is higher.

Q: What architecture and process node does each CPU use?

A: The i5-1035G4 uses the Ice Lake architecture on a 10 nm process. The Xeon E3-1505M v5 uses the Skylake architecture on a 14 nm process.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-1035G4 wins in all recorded performance benchmarks. It is the faster chip in both single-core and multi-core Cinebench tests. The data shows it is also more power-efficient, with a 15-watt TDP against the Xeon's 45-watt. This makes the i5-1035G4 the clear winner for any workload that is sensitive to the user's choice. It also has a higher memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, which is useful for data-heavy tasks.

The Intel Xeon E3-1505M v5 wins in the functional feature set. It is the only one of the two that supports ECC memory, which is a crucial feature for mission-critical systems where data corruption is unacceptable. It also has a larger L3 cache at 8 MB compared to the i5-1035G4's 6 MB, which can be a benefit for certain cache-bound workloads. The Xeon's much higher base clock of 2.80 GHz may also be beneficial for applications that are heavily dependent on sustained low-load responsiveness, although the turbo clock is the same.

In terms of practical use cases, the i5-1035G4 is built for mobile computing. It has a 15-watt TDP and a 10 nm process, making it suitable for thin laptops and ultrabooks. The Xeon is built for server and workstation environments, where the 45-watt TDP is less of a concern and ECC support is more important. The Xeon is end-of-life, so it is no longer in active production, whereas the i5-1035G4 is still active.

The database suggests that if a user is building a system today for general compute, rendering, or any Cinebench-style workload, the i5-1035G4 is the clear winner. If the user is maintaining a legacy workstation that requires ECC memory, the Xeon E3-1505M v5 is the only way to go. The i5's performance advantage is small (2.4% in most tests) but consistent, and it is achieved at a fraction of the power draw. The Xeon's features are mature and specific to its segment, but they do not translate to any performance wins in the recorded benchmarks.