Intel Core i5-1135G7 vs Intel Xeon Gold 6330 Comparison

The Intel Core i5-1135G7 and Intel Xeon Gold 6330 occupy opposite ends of the computing spectrum, yet benchmark data places them within a single percentage point of each other in aggregate performance. The Core i5-1135G7 averages 9053 points across its benchmark suite, while the Xeon Gold 6330 averages 8939 points, a difference of just 1.3% in favor of the mobile chip. Their nearestRivals lists confirm this odd pairing, with each appearing on the other’s comparison table. The Xeon Gold 6330 edges out the Core i5-8350U by 0.1% and trails the Core i7-8650U by 0.7%, while the Core i5-1135G7 sits 0.6% above the i5-8350U and 1.1% behind the Xeon Gold 6346. Both processors land in the 65th percentile of all CPUs, suggesting that despite their architectural chasm, they deliver comparable overall throughput in their respective workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Xeon Gold 6330 dominates every single benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, winning all six tests. The largest margins appear in single-core tests, where the Xeon Gold 6330 posts a 74.5% advantage over the Core i5-1135G7 in both Cinebench R15 and R20 single-core runs. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Xeon scores 439 against the Core i5’s 112, while in R20 single-core, the gap remains proportionally identical at 1832 versus 468. Multi-core results tell a similar story with slightly narrower margins: the Xeon Gold 6330 leads by 74.4% in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests. The R15 multi-core score of 3115 for the Xeon dwarfs the Core i5’s 797, and the R23 multi-core result of 30906 versus 7909 reinforces the pattern.

The consistency of these deltas is striking. Every head-to-head test shows the Xeon Gold 6330 winning by either 74.4% or 74.5%, with no outlier results. This uniformity suggests the performance gap stems from fundamental architectural advantages rather than workload-specific optimizations. The Core i5-1135G7 has no wins in this comparison, recording zero victories across all six benchmarks. Its best relative showing comes in multi-core tests, where the 74.4% deficit matches the single-core deficit almost exactly. For a 4-core mobile chip, this means the Xeon Gold 6330’s 28-core configuration delivers roughly four times the multi-core throughput, which aligns with the core count disparity. Single-core performance, however, shows the Xeon’s Ice Lake architecture and higher 2.00 GHz base clock overcome the Core i5’s 4.20 GHz boost clock advantage, producing a 74.5% lead in every single-threaded test.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel families, with the Core i5-1135G7 built on Tiger Lake-U and the Xeon Gold 6330 on Ice Lake-SP. Both use a 10 nm process node from Intel, but the similarities end there. The Core i5-1135G7 packs 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6330 offers 28 cores and 56 threads, a 7x increase in core count and a 7x increase in thread count. Cache hierarchies diverge sharply: the Core i5 has 80 KB of L1 per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with 8 MB of shared L3, while the Xeon Gold 6330 has 64 KB L1 per core and 1 MB L2 per core, but a massive 42 MB of shared L3. The Xeon’s larger L3 pool compensates for its smaller per-core caches, providing 5.25x more total L3 capacity.

Memory subsystems reflect their different market positions. The Core i5-1135G7 supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X over a dual-channel memory bus, with no ECC support. The Xeon Gold 6330 supports DDR4 across an eight-channel memory bus with a listed memory bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s, and it includes ECC memory support. PCIe connectivity also differs dramatically: the Core i5 offers Gen 4 with 4 lanes from the CPU, while the Xeon Gold 6330 provides Gen 4 with 64 lanes. The Core i5-1135G7 includes integrated Iris Xe Graphics G7 with 80 execution units; the Xeon Gold 6330 has no integrated graphics. Socket compatibility separates them completely, with the mobile chip using Intel BGA 1449 and the server chip using Intel Socket 4189.

Clock speeds reveal a trade-off between peak frequency and sustained throughput. The Core i5-1135G7 has a 1.50 GHz base clock and 4.20 GHz boost clock, while the Xeon Gold 6330 runs at 2.00 GHz base and 3.10 GHz boost. The Xeon’s higher base clock contributes to its single-core dominance, while its lower boost clock reflects the thermal constraints of a 205 W TDP versus the Core i5’s 15 W TDP. The Core i5 launched on 2020-09-01 with a $309 launch MSRP and has reached end-of-life status, while the Xeon Gold 6330 launched on 2021-04-05 and remains active in production. The die size for the Core i5 is 144 mm², whereas the Xeon Gold 6330 has no listed die size.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split based on workload requirements. For single-threaded and multi-threaded compute tasks that scale with core count, the Xeon Gold 6330 is the definitive choice, winning every benchmark by a consistent 74.4-74.5% margin. Its 28 cores, 56 threads, and 42 MB L3 cache deliver 30906 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, a score that reflects its server-class positioning. The Xeon also offers ECC memory support, eight-channel memory bandwidth, and 64 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, all of which serve workstation and data-center scenarios. Its 205 W TDP and Socket 4189 requirement place it firmly in server platforms, not desktop or mobile systems.

The Core i5-1135G7, despite losing every head-to-head test, holds its own in aggregate benchmarks. Its 9053 average score edges out the Xeon Gold 6330’s 8939, and its 65th percentile ranking matches the Xeon exactly. This suggests the Core i5 excels in a broader mix of everyday workloads, including integrated graphics tasks that the Xeon cannot handle at all. The Core i5’s 15 W TDP, integrated Iris Xe Graphics, and dual-channel memory support make it suitable for thin-and-light laptops, where its 4.20 GHz boost clock provides responsive single-threaded performance in short bursts. Its end-of-life status, however, limits its appeal for new designs.

Choose the Xeon Gold 6330 if the workload demands massive parallel throughput, ECC reliability, or extensive PCIe connectivity. Choose the Core i5-1135G7 if the application benefits from integrated graphics, low power consumption, or the convenience of a mobile form factor. The benchmark data shows no middle ground: the Xeon wins every compute benchmark outright, while the Core i5 compensates with versatility and efficiency. Neither chip is a substitute for the other, and the 1.3% aggregate score difference masks the fundamental divergence in their optimized use cases.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-1135G7 | Intel Xeon Gold 6330 |

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

| Cores | 4 | 28 |

| Threads | 8 | 56 |

| Base Clock | 1500.00 MHz | 2000.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.20 GHz | 3.10 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 205 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1449 | Intel Socket 4189 |

| Architecture | Tiger Lake | Ice Lake |

| Codename | Tiger Lake-U | Ice Lake-SP |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 42 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, LPDDR4X | DDR4 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Eight-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 204.8 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 4 Lanes | Gen 4, 64 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EU | None |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Server/Workstation |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2020-09-01 | 2021-04-05 |

| Launch MSRP | $309 | Not listed |

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon Gold 6330 has 28 cores and 56 threads, compared to the Intel Core i5-1135G7’s 4 cores and 8 threads. This gives the Xeon a 7x advantage in both core and thread count.

Q: How do they compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The Xeon Gold 6330 scores 30906 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Core i5-1135G7 scores 7909. The Xeon leads by 74.4% in this test.

Q: Which chip supports ECC memory?

A: Only the Intel Xeon Gold 6330 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i5-1135G7 does not include ECC support.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth?

A: The Xeon Gold 6330 has a listed memory bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s over an eight-channel memory bus. The Core i5-1135G7 uses a dual-channel bus with no bandwidth figure listed.

Q: Do both processors have integrated graphics?

A: No. The Intel Core i5-1135G7 includes Iris Xe Graphics G7 with 80 execution units, while the Intel Xeon Gold 6330 has no integrated graphics.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-1135G7 has a boost clock of 4.20 GHz, which is higher than the Xeon Gold 6330’s 3.10 GHz boost clock. The Xeon, however, has a higher base clock at 2.00 GHz versus 1.50 GHz.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Core i5-1135G7 has an average benchmark score of 9053, while the Xeon Gold 6330 averages 8939. The Core i5 leads by 1.3% in aggregate average score.