Intel Core i5-4460T vs Intel Xeon D-1527 Comparison

The Verdict

The Intel Xeon D-1527 and Intel Core i5-4460T are both 35-watt, four-core processors, but the data shows they serve entirely different purposes. The Xeon D-1527 wins all five recorded head-to-head comparisons, with margins between 34.2% and 35% across Cinebench tests. Its average benchmark score of 1207 places it slightly above the i5-4460T's 1190, and its 34th percentile ranking versus all CPUs edges out the i5's 33rd percentile.

The i5-4460T is an end-of-life desktop chip with integrated graphics, while the Xeon D-1527 remains an active server/workstation part with ECC memory support. For anyone building a low-power home server or small workstation, the Xeon D-1527 is the clear choice from the recorded data. For a basic desktop system where integrated graphics matter, the i5-4460T has that advantage, though it loses every compute benchmark.

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon D-1527 dominates in multi-threaded workloads. Its eight threads versus the i5-4460T's four threads translate directly into a 34.2% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core (420 versus 313) and a 34.3% lead in R20 multi-core (1753 versus 1305). The R23 multi-core test shows the same pattern: 4176 versus 3109, a 34.3% advantage.

Single-core performance also favors the Xeon D-1527, despite both processors having a 2.70 GHz boost clock. The Xeon scores 589 in Cinebench R23 single-core versus 438 for the i5, a 34.5% difference. This suggests the Broadwell architecture's efficiency at the same clock speed outperforms Haswell per cycle, though the base clock difference is notable: the Xeon runs at 2.20 GHz base while the i5 sits at 1900 MHz.

The i5-4460T's only clear wins are in areas the Xeon D-1527 lacks entirely. It has integrated graphics (Intel HD 4600), which the Xeon does not offer. It also supports up to 25.6 GB/s memory bandwidth, a figure not recorded for the Xeon. For a system requiring a display output without a discrete GPU, the i5 is the functional option. For raw compute, the Xeon wins every recorded test.

Architecture Differences

The Xeon D-1527 uses Intel's Broadwell architecture on a 14 nm process, while the i5-4460T uses Haswell on a 22 nm process. This process shrink allows the Xeon to pack 3,200 million transistors into a 246 mm² die, versus 1,400 million transistors in the i5's 177 mm² die. The Xeon's transistor count is more than double, reflecting its server-oriented design.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The Xeon D-1527 provides 1.5 MB of L3 cache per core, while the i5-4460T has 6 MB of shared L3 cache. Both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core. The Xeon's per-core L3 design suits multi-tenant server workloads, whereas the i5's shared pool benefits single-user desktop tasks.

Memory support separates these chips further. The Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4, while the i5 is limited to DDR3. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, a critical feature for server reliability that the i5 lacks. PCIe lane counts differ too: the Xeon has 24 Gen 3 lanes, the i5 has 16.

The sockets are incompatible: the Xeon uses Intel BGA 1667, while the i5 uses Socket 1150. The Xeon's market segment is Server/Workstation, and it remains active in production; the i5 is a Desktop part marked end-of-life. The Xeon's part number SR2DK and launch MSRP of $213 (stated once here) reflect its positioning, while the i5's SR1S7 has no recorded launch price.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1527. It wins the Cinebench R15 multi-core test with 420 versus 313, the R20 multi-core with 1753 versus 1305, and the R23 multi-core with 4176 versus 3109. Each win shows roughly a 34.3% margin.

Q: Do both processors have the same boost clock?

A: Yes, both have a 2.70 GHz boost clock. However, the Xeon D-1527 still leads in single-core benchmarks, scoring 589 versus 438 in Cinebench R23 single-core, a 34.5% advantage despite the identical boost frequency.

Q: Can the Intel Core i5-4460T use ECC memory?

A: No. The i5-4460T does not support ECC memory. The Xeon D-1527 supports ECC, which is a key differentiator for server reliability.

Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?

A: Only the Xeon D-1527. It supports both DDR3 and DDR4, while the i5-4460T supports DDR3 only.

Q: Does either processor include integrated graphics?

A: The i5-4460T includes Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics. The Xeon D-1527 has no integrated graphics, so it requires a discrete GPU for display output.

Q: What is the production status of each chip?

A: The Xeon D-1527 is listed as Active, while the i5-4460T is End-of-life. This reflects the Xeon's continued availability for server deployments.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data shows a clean sweep for the Xeon D-1527. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 420 against the i5's 313, a 34.2% delta. This is the narrowest margin in the set, but still a decisive victory. The R20 multi-core test shows 1753 versus 1305, a 34.3% delta.

Single-core results are equally one-sided. The Xeon scores 247 in R20 single-core versus 183, a 35% delta. In R23 single-core, the Xeon's 589 beats 438 by 34.5%. The R23 multi-core test shows 4176 versus 3109, another 34.3% delta. Across all five tests, the Xeon's advantage stays remarkably consistent between 34.2% and 35%, indicating a stable architectural advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

The Xeon's average benchmark score of 1207 sits just 0.1% above its nearest rival, the Xeon D-1520, and 0.3% above the Xeon E5645. The i5-4460T's 1190 average is 0.3% above its nearest rival, the Intel Core i5-2400, and 0.1% below the AMD Opteron 6234. These percentile positions (34th for the Xeon, 33rd for the i5) place both chips in the lower-middle range of all CPUs, but the Xeon's lead over the i5 in direct comparison is consistent and significant.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every architectural field. The Xeon D-1527 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i5-4460T has 4 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks differ: 2.20 GHz for the Xeon versus 1900 MHz for the i5, though both boost to 2.70 GHz.

The process nodes contrast sharply: 14 nm for the Xeon versus 22 nm for the i5. Transistor counts are 3,200 million versus 1,400 million, and die sizes are 246 mm² versus 177 mm². The Xeon's cache is configured as 1.5 MB per core for L3, while the i5 uses 6 MB shared.

Memory support diverges: the Xeon accepts DDR3 and DDR4, the i5 only DDR3. ECC memory is supported only by the Xeon. The Xeon has 24 PCIe Gen 3 lanes versus 16 for the i5. Integrated graphics exist only on the i5 (Intel HD 4600); the Xeon has none.

The Xeon targets Server/Workstation with an Active production status, while the i5 is a Desktop part marked End-of-life. Sockets are incompatible: BGA 1667 versus Socket 1150. The Xeon's launch MSRP is $213; the i5 has no recorded launch MSRP. Both are multiplier-unlocked false, meaning neither supports overclocking. The Xeon's release date is October 2015, while the i5's is February 2014, making the i5 roughly a year and a half older.