Intel Core i5-1145GRE vs Intel Xeon E3-1285L v4 Comparison

The Intel Xeon E3-1285L v4 and the Intel Core i5-1145GRE represent two very different approaches to 4-core, 8-thread processing. The former is a 2015-era server/workstation part built for socketed platforms, while the latter is a 2020 mobile processor designed for compact, power-efficient systems. The benchmark data shows a consistent, though modest, performance advantage for the newer Tiger Lake chip across every recorded test.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-1145GRE wins all six recorded Cinebench comparisons. The margins are consistent, with the i5-1145GRE leading by 1.7% to 2% in every test. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i5-1145GRE scores 705 against 693 for the Xeon E3-1285L v4, a 1.7% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows a 2% lead for the i5-1145GRE, 99 versus 97.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds. The i5-1145GRE posts 2940 in multicore versus 2891 for the Xeon, again a 1.7% edge. In R20 single-core, the scores are 414 and 407, a 1.7% gap. The most demanding test, Cinebench R23, mirrors these results: the i5-1145GRE scores 7001 in multicore versus 6884, and 988 in single-core versus 971, both representing a 1.7% lead for the newer chip.

What is notable is the uniformity of the delta. Whether the workload is single-threaded or fully parallel, the i5-1145GRE maintains roughly the same 1.7% to 2% advantage. This suggests the performance difference is architectural and consistent across scaling, not a result of boost behavior favoring one workload type. The Xeon E3-1285L v4 never takes a win in any recorded benchmark, but its scores remain competitive, trailing by a margin that is measurable yet not dramatic. The average benchmark score reflects this: the i5-1145GRE sits at 2025, while the Xeon E3-1285L v4 sits at 1991.

Where Each One Wins

Based strictly on the recorded data, the Intel Core i5-1145GRE wins in every benchmark category. There is no test in the database where the Xeon E3-1285L v4 comes out ahead. This means for any Cinebench workload, whether it is a single-core task like basic interactivity or a multicore render, the i5-1145GRE is the faster part.

The Xeon E3-1285L v4 does not win on performance, but it does hold advantages in other recorded areas. It uses the Intel Socket 1150 platform, which is a standard socketed interface, whereas the i5-1145GRE uses Intel BGA 1449, a soldered mobile package. For a builder, that means the Xeon can be swapped on a compatible motherboard, while the i5-1145GRE is fixed to its board. The Xeon also supports DDR3 memory, while the i5-1145GRE supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X. The Xeon's integrated graphics are Iris Pro P6300, while the i5-1145GRE uses Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EU, which is a newer generation.

In terms of market positioning, the Xeon E3-1285L v4 is marked as a Server/Workstation part and is end-of-life, while the i5-1145GRE is an Active Mobile processor. This means the i5-1145GRE is the part you would find in a current-generation laptop or compact embedded system, while the Xeon is a legacy part for older workstations. The i5-1145GRE also has a higher percentile ranking at 45 versus 44 for the Xeon, indicating slightly better standing against all CPUs in the database.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras. The Xeon E3-1285L v4 uses the Broadwell architecture, specifically Broadwell-DT, built on Intel's 14 nm process. The i5-1145GRE uses the Tiger Lake architecture, specifically Tiger Lake-U with Willow Cove cores, built on a 10 nm process. This process shrink is a key factor in the performance and efficiency differences.

The Xeon E3-1285L v4 has a die size of 160 mm² and contains 1,400 million transistors. The i5-1145GRE has a smaller die at 144 mm², but the database does not record a transistor count for it. Cache layouts differ significantly. The Xeon has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-1145GRE has larger caches: 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The larger L2 cache per core is particularly notable, as it is over four times the size of the Xeon's L2.

Memory support also reflects the generational gap. The Xeon E3-1285L v4 uses DDR3 with a recorded memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s. The i5-1145GRE uses DDR4 and LPDDR4X, though no bandwidth figure is recorded for it. Both support ECC memory, which is a point of commonality. PCIe support differs: the Xeon is Gen 3, while the i5-1145GRE is Gen 4 with 4 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics are also different generations, with the Xeon using Iris Pro P6300 and the i5-1145GRE using Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EU.

Specification Differences

The recorded specifications show clear differences between the two parts. The Xeon E3-1285L v4 has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The i5-1145GRE has a base clock of 1500.00 MHz, which is lower, but a higher boost clock of 4.10 GHz. The lower base clock on the i5-1145GRE is typical of a mobile part designed to save power when idle, while the higher boost clock allows it to pull ahead under load.

Thermal design power (TDP) is a major differentiator. The Xeon E3-1285L v4 has a TDP of 65 watts, while the i5-1145GRE has a TDP of 28 watts. This is a significant efficiency advantage for the i5-1145GRE, as it delivers higher performance while consuming less than half the thermal budget. The Xeon uses the Intel Socket 1150, while the i5-1145GRE uses Intel BGA 1449. The Xeon is a Server/Workstation part, the i5-1145GRE is a Mobile part.

The Xeon E3-1285L v4 was released in 2015 and is marked as end-of-life. The i5-1145GRE was released in 2020 and is active. The launch MSRP for the Xeon is $445, while the i5-1145GRE lists at $362. Both processors have locked multipliers. The Xeon's part number is SR2B1, and the i5-1145GRE's part number is SRK10. The Xeon's memory bus is dual-channel, as is the i5-1145GRE's.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core tasks?

A: The Intel Core i5-1145GRE is faster in every recorded single-core test. It leads by 2% in Cinebench R15 single-core (99 vs 97) and by 1.7% in both R20 (414 vs 407) and R23 (988 vs 971).

Q: How much of a multicore performance gap is there?

A: The i5-1145GRE leads by 1.7% in all three multicore tests: Cinebench R15 (705 vs 693), R20 (2940 vs 2891), and R23 (7001 vs 6884). The gap is consistent and small.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon E3-1285L v4 and the Intel Core i5-1145GRE support ECC memory according to the recorded data.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Xeon E3-1285L v4 has a TDP of 65 watts, while the i5-1145GRE has a TDP of 28 watts. The i5-1145GRE uses significantly less power.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-1145GRE has a higher boost clock at 4.10 GHz, compared to 3.80 GHz for the Xeon E3-1285L v4. The Xeon has a higher base clock at 3.40 GHz versus 1500.00 MHz for the i5-1145GRE.

Q: Are these processors on the same socket?

A: No. The Xeon E3-1285L v4 uses Intel Socket 1150, while the i5-1145GRE uses Intel BGA 1449. The Xeon is socketed, while the i5-1145GRE is a soldered mobile part.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear winner for raw performance: the Intel Core i5-1145GRE. It wins all six recorded benchmarks, maintains a 1.7% to 2% lead across the board, and does so with a 28 watt TDP versus the Xeon's 65 watts. For any new build where performance per watt matters, the i5-1145GRE is the superior choice.

However, the Xeon E3-1285L v4 is not without merit. It uses a standard socketed interface, which means it can be installed on a compatible Socket 1150 motherboard, offering upgrade or replacement flexibility that a soldered BGA 1449 part cannot. It also supports DDR3 memory, which might be relevant for someone reusing existing modules. Its launch MSRP was $445, and it is end-of-life, while the i5-1145GRE launched at $362 and is active.

The choice depends on the platform. If you are building or upgrading a socketed workstation with DDR3 memory and need ECC support, the Xeon E3-1285L v4 is a functional, if older, option. Its benchmark scores are close enough that the performance deficit is minor in practice. If you are selecting a processor for a new compact or mobile system, the i5-1145GRE is the better part by every measured metric: it is faster, more efficient, and newer. The 1.7% to 2% performance edge is real but modest; the 37 watt TDP difference is substantial. For most builders, the i5-1145GRE is the practical recommendation.