Intel Core i5-4460 vs Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 Comparison

Head-to-Head-to-Head zdra: To compare the Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 vs the Core i5-4460, the recorded data shows a consistent sweep for the Xeon over the Core i5. The Xeon wins all 6 benchmark comparisons, which are the Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore and singlecore tests. The largest single-race margin appears in Cinebench R15 singlecore, where the Xeon scores 71 against the Core i5's 59, a 20.3% advantage. That is the widest delta in the entire head-to-head set.

Multicore workloads also favor the Xeon heavily, but with slightly narrower margins. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Xeon posts 503 versus 421, a 19.5% lead. The R20 multicore test shows 2099 against 1758, a 19.4% gap, and R23 multicore shows 4999 versus 4188, also a 19.4% difference. The singlecore results across R20 and R23 mirror this pattern: 296 versus 248 (19.4%) and 705 versus 591 (19.3%) respectively. The Xeon's lead is remarkably stable, hovering between 19.3% and 20.3% across all six tests.

The Core i5 does not secure a single win in any recorded comparison. Its best relative showing is in R23 multicore, where the deficit is 19.4%, but that is still a decisive loss. Conversely, the Xeon's best relative showing is in R15 singlecore, where it pulls ahead by 20.3%. The consistency of the delta, rather than the size of any one margin, is the notable feature. The Xeon does not merely win; it wins by nearly the same proportion in every workload type.

Looking at the broader database, the Xeon holds a 38th percentile ranking among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 1446. The Core i5 sits at the 37th percentile, with an average score of 1415. The gap in average score is 31 points, which is small relative to the head-to-head deltas. This discrepancy suggests that the head-to-head tests, which are all Cinebench variants, may favor the Xeon's architecture more than the general benchmark pool does. The Core i5's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314 and AMD Ryzen 7 2700U, both with an average score of 1415 and a delta of 0%. The Xeon's nearest rivals include the AMD Opteron 6378 at 1447 (delta -0.1%) and the Intel Core i5-7300HQ at 1448 (delta -0.1%). The Xeon sits between those two, essentially tied with both. The Core i5 sits tied with its own pair of rivals, indicating that neither chip is an outlier in its respective weight class.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and are built on different process nodes. The Xeon E3-1505L v5 uses Skylake-H architecture on a 14 nm process, while the Core i5-4460 uses Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process. The Xeon's die is smaller at 122 mm², but it packs more transistors: 2,300 million versus the Core i5's 1,400 million on a 177 mm² die. The smaller, denser process is one reason the Xeon can deliver higher performance per watt, though the raw numbers show the Core i5 actually has a higher base clock.

The Xeon runs at a 2000 MHz base clock with a 2800 MHz boost, while the Core i5 runs at 3200 MHz base and 3400 MHz boost. Despite the lower clocks, the Xeon wins every benchmark, which points to architectural efficiency, higher per-core IPC, or the benefit of simultaneous multithreading. The Xeon has 8 threads from 4 cores, whereas the Core i5 has 4 threads from 4 cores. That thread advantage is likely a major factor in the multicore tests, but it does not explain the singlecore wins, where thread count is irrelevant. The singlecore margin of roughly 19% to 20% must come from the newer microarchitecture and the smaller process node.

Cache configurations differ as well. Both have 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, but the Xeon has 8 MB of shared L3, while the Core i5 has 6 MB of shared L3. The larger L3 cache is another contributor to the Xeon's performance lead, particularly in workloads that reuse data.

Memory support is a clear differentiator. The Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. The Core i5 supports only DDR3, also dual-channel, with a bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. The Xeon's bandwidth advantage is 33.2%, which is larger than its benchmark lead in any single test. ECC memory is supported on the Xeon but not on the Core i5. This makes the Xeon suitable for error-correcting workloads, which aligns with its server/workstation market segment. The Core i5 is a desktop part with no ECC support.

The integrated graphics also differ. The Xeon includes HD Graphics P530, while the Core i5 includes Intel HD 4600. Both use the same PCIe Gen 3 interface with 16 lanes from the CPU. The sockets are incompatible: the Xeon uses Intel BGA 1440, while the Core i5 uses Intel Socket 1150. The Xeon is a server/workstation chip, and the Core i5 is a desktop chip. Both are end-of-life and have locked multipliers, meaning neither can be overclocked.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher base clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-4460 has a base clock of 3200 MHz, which is higher than the Xeon E3-1505L v5's 2000 MHz base clock. The Core i5 also has a higher boost clock at 3400 MHz versus the Xeon's 2800 MHz.

Q: Does the Xeon support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon E3-1505L v5 supports ECC memory. The Core i5-4460 does not support ECC memory.

Q: What is the largest benchmark margin between the two?

A: The largest margin is in Cinebench R15 singlecore, where the Xeon scores 71 against the Core i5's 59, a 20.3% difference. The smallest margin is 19.3% in Cinebench R23 singlecore.

Q: How many threads does each processor have?

A: The Xeon E3-1505L v5 has 8 threads from 4 cores. The Core i5-4460 has 4 threads from 4 cores. The Xeon has twice the thread count.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Xeon has a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, while the Core i5 has 25.6 GB/s. The Xeon's bandwidth is 33.2% higher.

Q: Which processor has a smaller process node?

A: The Xeon E3-1505L v5 is built on a 14 nm process. The Core i5-4460 is built on a 22 nm process. The Xeon uses the smaller node.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category. The Xeon has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Core i5 has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Xeon's base clock is 2000 MHz versus the Core i5's 3200 MHz. The boost clock is 2800 MHz versus 3400 MHz. The Xeon's TDP is 25 watts, while the Core i5's is 84 watts. The Xeon uses the Intel BGA 1440 socket, and the Core i5 uses Intel Socket 1150.

The architecture is Skylake for the Xeon and Haswell for the Core i5. The process node is 14 nm versus 22 nm. The Xeon has 2,300 million transistors on a 122 mm² die, while the Core i5 has 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. The L3 cache is 8 MB shared on the Xeon and 6 MB shared on the Core i5. The Xeon supports DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the Core i5 supports only DDR3. Memory bandwidth is 34.1 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s. ECC memory is supported on the Xeon only.

The integrated graphics are HD Graphics P530 on the Xeon and Intel HD 4600 on the Core i5. The Xeon is classified as a server/workstation part, while the Core i5 is a desktop part. The Xeon has a launch MSRP of $433, and the Core i5 has a launch MSRP of $187. The Xeon was released on 2015-10-26, and the Core i5 was released on 2014-05-10. Both have locked multipliers and are end-of-life. Both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The Verdict

The data points to one clear outcome: the Xeon E3-1505L v5 is the faster processor in every recorded benchmark. It wins all six Cinebench tests, with margins ranging from 19.3% to 20.3%. The Core i5-4460 does not win a single comparison. The Xeon's advantage holds in both singlecore and multicore workloads, which indicates that the newer architecture and larger cache matter more than the Core i5's higher clock speeds.

The Xeon also offers features the Core i5 lacks: ECC memory support, DDR4 compatibility, and a higher memory bandwidth. The TDP is dramatically lower at 25 watts versus 84 watts, which is surprising given the performance lead. The Xeon is a more efficient part by every measure in the database.

The Core i5 is not without merit. It has a higher base and boost clock, which might help in lightly threaded tasks that are not captured in the recorded tests. However, the singlecore Cinebench results show the Xeon still leading by 19% to 20%, so the clock advantage does not translate into a win. The Core i5's only advantage is its lower launch MSRP of $187, but pricing is not a performance metric.

For anyone choosing between these two, the Xeon is the superior part based on benchmark data alone. The Core i5 is a reasonable desktop processor, but it is outclassed in every measured workload. The Xeon's server/workstation heritage shows in its feature set and efficiency.

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon E3-1505L v5 wins in all recorded benchmark categories. In singlecore tests, it leads by 19.3% to 20.3% across R15, R20, and R23. In multicore tests, it leads by 19.4% to 19.5% across the same three versions. The Xeon also wins on memory bandwidth, with 34.1 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s, and on cache size, with 8 MB versus 6 MB of L3. It supports ECC memory and DDR4, which are not available on the Core i5.

The Core i5-4460 has no benchmark wins in the database. Its strengths are limited to clock speed: a 3200 MHz base and 3400 MHz boost, which are higher than the Xeon's 2000 MHz and 2800 MHz. It also has a lower launch MSRP of $187, though price is not a performance metric. The Core i5 uses the Intel Socket 1150, which is a common desktop socket, but the Xeon's BGA 1440 is a different form factor.

In practical terms, the Xeon is the choice for multi-threaded workloads, ECC memory requirements, or any task that benefits from higher memory bandwidth. The Core i5 might be considered for basic desktop use where the higher clock speed is the only relevant factor, but the recorded singlecore scores do not support that choice. The Xeon wins everywhere the database measures, making it the recommended part for performance-sensitive applications.