Intel Core i5-1155G7 vs Intel Xeon E5-2630L v3 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data splits cleanly here: the Intel Xeon E5-2630L v3 wins every single recorded test, while the Intel Core i5-1155G7 records zero wins across the six head-to-head comparisons. The Xeon takes the multicore tests through sheer thread count: it has 8 cores and 16 threads versus the Core i5's 4 cores and 8 threads. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Xeon scores 8330 against the Core i5's 8155, a 2.1% advantage. The same pattern holds in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the Xeon posts 3498 versus 3425, again a 2.1% edge.

The single-core results are closer but still favor the Xeon. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Xeon scores 1176 against 1151, a 2.1% lead. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 118 versus 115, a 2.5% margin. This is notable because the Core i5 has a much higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz versus the Xeon's 2.90 GHz, yet the older Haswell architecture still edges ahead in every single-threaded test. The data suggests the Xeon's higher base clock of 1800.00 MHz (reported at 1.80 GHz in the database) and its architecture compensate for the raw frequency disadvantage.

For use-case splits, the Xeon is the pick for any workload that scales with cores: rendering, compilation, server-side processing. The Core i5 is not without merit, however. It carries integrated Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 80EU, which means systems built around it do not require a discrete GPU for basic display output. The Xeon has no integrated graphics, so it demands a separate graphics card. The Core i5 also supports PCIe Gen 4 with 16 lanes, while the Xeon is limited to PCIe Gen 3 with 40 lanes. For mobile deployments, the Core i5's 28 W TDP is far more manageable than the Xeon's 55 W TDP.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and different manufacturing processes. The Core i5-1155G7 is built on Tiger Lake, specifically Tiger Lake-U, using Intel's 10 nm process. The Xeon E5-2630L v3 is a Haswell-EP part fabricated on 22 nm. The die size reflects this gap: the Core i5 measures 144 mm², while the Xeon spans 356 mm². The Xeon also lists 2,600 million transistors, a figure not provided for the Core i5.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The Core i5 has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The Xeon has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3. The Xeon's larger L3 pool is a direct consequence of its 8-core design and server pedigree. The Core i5's larger per-core L2 (1.25 MB versus 256 KB) reflects the more modern Tiger Lake memory hierarchy.

Memory support diverges sharply. The Core i5 supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X over a dual-channel bus, and it does not support ECC memory. The Xeon supports DDR4 over a quad-channel bus with a recorded memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s, and it supports ECC memory. The Xeon's quad-channel setup is typical for server workloads where memory throughput matters more than latency. The Core i5 has no recorded memory bandwidth figure in the database.

Socket and market positioning differ completely. The Core i5 uses Intel BGA 1449, a soldered mobile socket, and is classified as a mobile part. The Xeon uses Intel Socket 2011-3, a server socket, and is classified as server/workstation. The Core i5 remains in active production and was released on 2021-05-30. The Xeon is end-of-life and was released on 2014-09-07. The Core i5's part number is SRKSF; the Xeon's is SR209.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to the Xeon E5-2630L v3 as the faster processor in every benchmark category. It wins all six head-to-head tests, with margins ranging from 2% to 2.5%. The Xeon's average benchmark score is 2409, while the Core i5's is 2496, but that overall average includes Geekbench results for the Core i5 that have no Xeon counterpart. In the shared Cinebench tests, the Xeon leads consistently. The Xeon also sits at the 48th percentile of all CPUs, versus the Core i5's 49th percentile, so they occupy nearly the same overall performance tier despite the Xeon's age.

Who should pick the Core i5? Users who need a mobile processor with integrated graphics, PCIe Gen 4 support, and a 28 W TDP. The Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 80EU means no discrete GPU is required for basic use. The 4.50 GHz boost clock gives it a frequency advantage that the benchmarks do not fully translate into wins, but it remains the only one of the two with any graphical output capability.

Who should pick the Xeon? Users building server or workstation systems where ECC memory, quad-channel bandwidth, and 16 threads matter. The 8-core, 16-thread configuration is the reason it wins every multicore test. The 20 MB L3 cache and 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes suit memory-heavy and I/O-heavy workloads. The trade-off is a 55 W TDP, no integrated graphics, and an end-of-life production status. The launch MSRP for the Xeon was $612, compared to $309 for the Core i5, but this analysis does not weigh cost into the recommendation.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2630L v3 has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core i5-1155G7 has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: Only the Xeon E5-2630L v3 supports ECC memory. The Core i5-1155G7 does not list ECC support.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Core i5-1155G7 includes Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 80EU. The Xeon E5-2630L v3 has no integrated graphics.

Q: How much L3 cache does each processor have?

A: The Core i5-1155G7 has 8 MB of shared L3. The Xeon E5-2630L v3 has 20 MB of shared L3.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of the Xeon?

A: The Xeon E5-2630L v3 records 59.7 GB/s of memory bandwidth over a quad-channel DDR4 bus.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Xeon E5-2630L v3 scores 8330 versus the Core i5-1155G7's 8155, a 2.1% lead for the Xeon.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The six recorded head-to-head tests all favor the Xeon E5-2630L v3. The largest margin is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Xeon scores 118 against 115, a 2.5% difference. This is the only test where the gap exceeds 2.1%. The multicore tests group tightly: Cinebench R15 multicore shows 839 versus 822 (2% gap), Cinebench R20 multicore shows 3498 versus 3425 (2.1% gap), and Cinebench R23 multicore shows 8330 versus 8155 (2.1% gap). The single-core tests follow the same pattern: Cinebench R20 single-core shows 493 versus 483 (2% gap), and Cinebench R23 single-core shows 1176 versus 1151 (2.1% gap).

The consistency of these margins is striking. Every test, whether single-core or multicore, lands between 2% and 2.5% in favor of the Xeon. This suggests a fundamental throughput advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk. The Core i5's higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz does not overcome the Xeon's combination of 8 cores, 16 threads, and 20 MB L3 cache. Even in single-core tests, where clock speed usually dominates, the Xeon's 118, 493, and 1176 scores edge out the Core i5's 115, 483, and 1151.

The Core i5 has additional Geekbench results not present for the Xeon: 4246 multicore and 1574 single-core. These contribute to its average benchmark score of 2496, which is slightly higher than the Xeon's 2409. However, the head-to-head comparisons rely only on the shared Cinebench tests, and there the Xeon wins all six. The Core i5's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-9500T at 2493 (0.1% delta) and the Xeon E5-2630 v3 itself at 2507 (-0.4% delta). The Xeon's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U at 2413 (-0.1% delta) and the Intel Core i5-1038NG7 at 2398 (0.5% delta).

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every measurable specification. The Core i5-1155G7 has 4 cores and 8 threads; the Xeon E5-2630L v3 has 8 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks differ wildly: the Core i5 runs at 2.50 GHz, while the Xeon runs at 1800.00 MHz (1.80 GHz). Boost clocks also diverge: 4.50 GHz for the Core i5, 2.90 GHz for the Xeon. TDPs are 28 W and 55 W, respectively.

Process technology separates them by a full node generation: 10 nm for the Core i5, 22 nm for the Xeon. The Xeon's die is 356 mm² versus 144 mm² for the Core i5. Transistor count is listed only for the Xeon at 2,600 million. Cache configurations differ: the Core i5 has 80 KB L1 per core and 1.25 MB L2 per core, while the Xeon has 64 KB L1 per core and 256 KB L2 per core. L3 totals are 8 MB shared for the Core i5 and 20 MB shared for the Xeon.

Memory support: the Core i5 handles DDR4 and LPDDR4X on a dual-channel bus with no ECC; the Xeon handles DDR4 on a quad-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support. PCIe generations differ: Gen 4 with 16 lanes for the Core i5, Gen 3 with 40 lanes for the Xeon. Integrated graphics exist only on the Core i5 (Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 80EU). Sockets are incompatible: Intel BGA 1449 versus Intel Socket 2011-3. The Core i5 is mobile and active; the Xeon is server/workstation and end-of-life. Release dates are 2021-05-30 for the Core i5 and 2014-09-07 for the Xeon. Launch MSRP values are $309 for the Core i5 and $612 for the Xeon.