Intel Core i5-1155G7 vs Intel Xeon D-1541 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents a clear sweep: the Intel Xeon D-1541 wins all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the Intel Core i5-1155G7. The margins are consistent, ranging from 3.5% to 4.2% across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 workloads. This uniformity suggests the Xeon's advantage is structural rather than workload-specific.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Xeon D-1541 scores 852 against the i5-1155G7's 822, a 3.5% deficit for the mobile chip. The single-core R15 test shows the Xeon ahead by 4.2%, scoring 120 versus 115. Moving to R20, the Xeon extends its multicore lead to 3554 against 3425, and its single-core lead to 501 against 483, both representing 3.6% gaps. The R23 results mirror this pattern exactly: 8463 versus 8155 in multicore and 1194 versus 1151 in single-core, again a 3.6% difference. The consistency of the 3.6% delta across R20 and R23 is striking, indicating that the relative performance gap does not widen or narrow with increasing workload intensity.

The average benchmark scores tell a slightly different story. The i5-1155G7 has an average benchmark score of 2496, placing it in the 49th percentile of all CPUs. The Xeon D-1541 averages 2447, sitting in the 48th percentile. This means the i5-1155G7 actually ranks one percentile higher than the Xeon in the overall database, despite losing every direct comparison. The explanation lies in the broader benchmark suite: the i5-1155G7 also has Geekbench scores recorded (4246 multicore, 1574 single-core), while the Xeon D-1541 has no Geekbench entries in the database. The mobile chip's additional data points pull its average up, even though its Cinebench results are uniformly lower.

Examining the nearest rivals adds context. The i5-1155G7's closest competitor is the Intel Core i5-9500T with an average score of 2493, a negligible 0.1% difference. The Xeon D-1541's nearest rival is the Intel Core i5-10500 at 2446, with a 0% delta. Both processors sit in dense performance neighborhoods where small score differences separate many models. The Xeon D-1540, a sibling part, trails the D-1541 by 0.8% with an average of 2467.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is substantial, reflecting their different design intents and release eras. The Intel Core i5-1155G7 is built on Tiger Lake-U architecture with a 10 nm process node, while the Intel Xeon D-1541 uses Broadwell-DE on a 14 nm node. The i5-1155G7 is a mobile part, released in 2021, whereas the Xeon D-1541 is a server and workstation processor that launched in 2015. The six-year gap explains much of the technological divergence.

Core counts differ significantly. The Xeon D-1541 offers 8 cores and 16 threads, double the i5-1155G7's 4 cores and 8 threads. Despite this core advantage, the Xeon only manages a 3.6% multicore lead, which reveals how much the newer Tiger Lake cores close the per-thread gap. The i5-1155G7 compensates for fewer cores with a much higher boost clock: 4.50 GHz against the Xeon's 2.70 GHz. Base clocks also favor the mobile chip at 2.50 GHz versus 2.10 GHz.

Cache hierarchies reveal different design philosophies. The i5-1155G7 has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The Xeon D-1541 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 1.5 MB of L3 per core. The Xeon's L3 is allocated per core rather than shared, a common pattern for server processors that need consistent per-core performance. The i5-1155G7's larger shared L3 pool benefits workloads where cores access common data. The Xeon's die size is 246 mm² with 3,200 million transistors, considerably larger than the i5-1155G7's 144 mm², a consequence of the older 14 nm process and additional cores.

Platform features diverge sharply. The Xeon D-1541 supports ECC memory and uses DDR3 or DDR4, while the i5-1155G7 supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X without ECC. Both use dual-channel memory buses. PCIe connectivity differs: the Xeon provides Gen 3 with 24 lanes, while the i5-1155G7 offers Gen 4 with 16 lanes. The mobile chip includes integrated Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 with 80 execution units; the Xeon has no integrated graphics. The Xeon uses an Intel BGA 1667 socket, while the i5-1155G7 uses Intel BGA 1449. Power envelopes reflect their segments: the Xeon draws 45 W TDP, the i5-1155G7 is rated at 28 W. The Xeon D-1541 carries a launch MSRP of $581, while the i5-1155G7 has a launch MSRP of $309.

The Verdict

The benchmark data shows the Intel Xeon D-1541 winning every direct comparison, yet the margins are modest. A 3.5% to 4.2% advantage across all Cinebench tests means the Xeon is faster, but not dramatically so. The Xeon's 8 cores and 16 threads provide a structural foundation that the i5-1155G7's 4 cores and 8 threads cannot overcome, even with the mobile chip's 4.50 GHz boost clock versus the Xeon's 2.70 GHz. The newer Tiger Lake architecture narrows what would otherwise be a much larger gap given the core discrepancy.

The i5-1155G7 should be chosen by users who need the integrated graphics, the Gen 4 PCIe connectivity, and the lower 28 W power envelope. The Xeon D-1541 is the pick for workloads that require ECC memory support, server-grade reliability, and the higher core count. The Xeon's 24 PCIe Gen 3 lanes offer more total expansion capacity, while the i5-1155G7's 16 Gen 4 lanes deliver newer interconnect technology. Neither processor is unlocked for overclocking.

The database percentile rankings complicate the picture. The i5-1155G7 sits at the 49th percentile, one point above the Xeon D-1541's 48th percentile. This ranking stems from the i5's additional Geekbench results, which are absent for the Xeon. A buyer focused purely on Cinebench performance would prefer the Xeon. A buyer looking at the broader benchmark landscape would see the i5 ranking slightly higher overall. The launch MSRP difference of $309 versus $581 reflects their market positions, but the performance data shows a smaller functional gap than the price difference suggests.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Xeon D-1541 wins every single-core test. It scores 120 versus 115 in Cinebench R15, 501 versus 483 in R20, and 1194 versus 1151 in R23, a consistent 3.6% to 4.2% advantage.

Q: Does the Core i5-1155G7 have more cores?

A: No. The Xeon D-1541 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the i5-1155G7 has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1541 supports ECC memory with DDR3 and DDR4. The Core i5-1155G7 does not support ECC and uses DDR4 or LPDDR4X.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i5-1155G7 has an average benchmark score of 2496 at the 49th percentile, while the Xeon D-1541 averages 2447 at the 48th percentile. The i5 ranks one percentile higher despite losing all direct comparisons.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the Core i5-1155G7 has integrated graphics, featuring Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 with 80 execution units. The Xeon D-1541 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What is the clock speed range for each processor?

A: The i5-1155G7 has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. The Xeon D-1541 has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 2.70 GHz.

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon D-1541 wins every benchmark category where both processors have recorded data. Its 3.6% multicore advantage in R20 and R23, along with the 3.5% edge in R15 multicore, makes it the stronger choice for CPU-bound rendering and compute workloads. The single-core wins, ranging from 3.6% to 4.2%, indicate the Xeon also handles lightly threaded tasks faster, which is unexpected given its lower clock speeds. The Xeon's ECC memory support and 24 PCIe Gen 3 lanes position it for server environments where data integrity and expansion capacity matter.

The i5-1155G7 wins in areas not covered by direct benchmark comparisons. Its integrated Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 eliminates the need for a discrete GPU in basic display tasks. The 28 W TDP makes it suitable for power-constrained mobile designs. The Gen 4 PCIe interface offers newer bandwidth standards for compatible devices. The 10 nm process node suggests better power efficiency per transistor, though the database does not record efficiency measurements. The i5 also has Geekbench scores of 4246 multicore and 1574 single-core, providing performance data points that the Xeon lacks in the database.

For pure Cinebench throughput, the Xeon D-1541 is the definitive winner. For mobile deployment, integrated graphics needs, or newer PCIe connectivity, the i5-1155G7 offers capabilities the Xeon cannot match. The Xeon's 45 W TDP and server socket make it impractical for laptop use, while the i5's mobile design would not suit a server chassis.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-1155G7 | Intel Xeon D-1541 |

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

| Cores | 4 | 8 |

| Threads | 8 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.50 GHz | 2.70 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1449 | Intel BGA 1667 |

| Architecture | Tiger Lake | Broadwell |

| Codename | Tiger Lake-U | Broadwell |

| Generation | Core i5 (Willow Cove-U) | Xeon D (Broadwell-DE) |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 14 nm |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 3,200 million |

| Die Size | 144 mm² | 246 mm² |

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

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 256 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 1.5 MB (per core) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, LPDDR4X | DDR3, DDR4 |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 24 Lanes (CPU only) |

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

| Market Segment | Mobile | Server/Workstation |

| Release Date | 2021-05-30 | 2015-10-31 |

| Launch MSRP | $309 | $581 |

| Part Number | SRKSF | SR2DE |