Intel Core i5-4570T vs Intel Xeon E5-2603 v3 Comparison

The Intel Core i5-4570T and Intel Xeon E5-2603 v3 are both 22 nm Haswell parts, but they target entirely different corners of the market. The data shows a complete sweep for the Xeon across all five shared Cinebench tests, yet the Core i5 is not without its own distinct advantages in platform features and power characteristics. The i5-4570T is a low-power desktop chip with integrated graphics, while the E5-2603 v3 is a server/workstation processor with ECC memory support and a much larger cache. The benchmark results are surprisingly consistent, with the Xeon leading by roughly 14.8% in nearly every test, but the real story lies in what those numbers mean for different workloads and system configurations.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2603 v3 has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the Intel Core i5-4570T has 2 cores and 4 threads. The Xeon's core count advantage is 3x in physical cores, but the i5 uses Hyper-Threading to reach 4 threads.

Q: How do they compare in single-core Cinebench R23 performance?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2603 v3 scores 452 in Cinebench R23 single-core, which is 14.8% higher than the Core i5-4570T's 385. This is despite the i5 having a 2.90 GHz base clock and 3.60 GHz boost clock, while the Xeon's base clock is listed as 1600.00 (likely MHz) with no boost.

Q: What is the memory configuration difference?

A: The Core i5-4570T supports dual-channel DDR3 memory, while the Xeon E5-2603 v3 supports quad-channel DDR4 with a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, which the i5 does not.

Q: Do both processors have integrated graphics?

A: No. The Intel Core i5-4570T includes Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics, while the Intel Xeon E5-2603 v3 has no integrated graphics at all. This makes the i5 suitable for systems without a discrete GPU.

Q: How does the average benchmark score compare?

A: The Core i5-4570T has an average benchmark score of 1108, while the Xeon E5-2603 v3 has an average score of 1103. Despite the Xeon winning every head-to-head Cinebench test, the i5 has a slightly higher aggregate average across all benchmarks in the database.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Core i5-4570T has a TDP of 35 watts, while the Xeon E5-2603 v3 has a TDP of 85 watts. The i5 consumes less than half the power of the Xeon, making it far more efficient for the performance it delivers.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is stark. Both are built on Intel's 22 nm process, but the Intel Core i5-4570T uses the Haswell architecture with a 177 mm² die size containing 1,400 million transistors. The Intel Xeon E5-2603 v3 uses the Haswell-EP architecture, a server-oriented variant, with a much larger 356 mm² die and 2,600 million transistors. This nearly doubles the transistor count and die area, reflecting the Xeon's more complex memory controller and larger cache hierarchy.

The cache configurations tell a compelling story. The i5-4570T has 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, plus a shared 4 MB L3 cache. The Xeon E5-2603 v3 has the same per-core L1 and L2 sizes, but its shared L3 cache is a massive 15 MB — nearly four times larger. This larger cache is critical for server workloads that repeatedly access large datasets.

Memory support is another fundamental split. The i5-4570T uses dual-channel DDR3, while the Xeon E5-2603 v3 uses quad-channel DDR4 with a specified memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, a feature absent on the i5. The socket difference is equally significant: the i5 uses Intel Socket 1150, while the Xeon uses Intel Socket 2011-3, meaning they are not interchangeable on any motherboard.

PCIe capabilities also differ. The i5-4570T offers Gen 3 PCIe, while the Xeon E5-2603 v3 offers Gen 3 with 40 lanes (CPU only). This gives the Xeon substantially more PCIe bandwidth for multiple GPUs or high-speed storage controllers. The i5 compensates with integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics, while the Xeon has none, requiring a discrete GPU for any display output.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is remarkably one-sided. Across all five shared Cinebench tests, the Intel Xeon E5-2603 v3 wins every single one, with the deltaPct hovering at -14.8% or -14.9% from the i5's perspective. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Xeon scores 323 against the i5's 275, a 14.9% lead. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multicore (1346 vs 1147) and Cinebench R23 multicore (3207 vs 2732).

Single-core performance shows the same margin. The Xeon leads 189 to 161 in Cinebench R20 single-core, and 452 to 385 in Cinebench R23 single-core. Both are exactly 14.8% differences. This is unexpected because the i5-4570T has a much higher listed boost clock of 3.60 GHz, while the Xeon's base clock of 1600.00 (MHz) is far lower and it has no boost clock listed. The data suggests the Xeon's larger cache and superior memory bandwidth more than compensate for the clock speed deficit.

The consistency of the margin is striking. A 14.8% delta across both single-core and multi-core tests implies that the Xeon's advantage is not workload-specific but rather a fundamental architectural efficiency gain. The i5's 4 threads do not close the gap against the Xeon's 6 physical cores, even in single-threaded tests where the i5's higher clock speed should theoretically help. The Xeon's 15 MB L3 cache likely explains this, as it reduces memory latency for frequently accessed data.

Specification Differences

The specification table reveals several key differences beyond the benchmark scores. The core count is the most obvious: 2 cores and 4 threads for the i5-4570T versus 6 cores and 6 threads for the Xeon E5-2603 v3. The Xeon has no Hyper-Threading, while the i5 does, which partially mitigates the core deficit.

Clock speeds are dramatically different. The i5-4570T has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. The Xeon E5-2603 v3 has a base clock listed as 1600.00 (MHz) and no boost clock at all. This makes the i5's clock advantage appear substantial, yet the benchmark results show the Xeon winning regardless.

The TDP difference is extreme: 35 W for the i5 versus 85 W for the Xeon. The memory support differs entirely, with the i5 using DDR3 and the Xeon using DDR4. The Xeon supports ECC memory, while the i5 does not. The Xeon also has a specified memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the i5 has no listed memory bandwidth figure.

The integrated graphics are present only on the i5 (Intel HD 4600), while the Xeon has none. The market segments differ, with the i5 classified as Desktop and the Xeon as Server/Workstation. The Xeon is marked as End-of-life in production status, while the i5 has no such designation. The Xeon has a launch MSRP of $213, while the i5 has no launch MSRP listed in the data. The sockets are incompatible: Intel Socket 1150 for the i5 and Intel Socket 2011-3 for the Xeon.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E5-2603 v3 wins all five head-to-head benchmark tests, making it the clear performance leader in Cinebench workloads. Its 14.8% advantage in both single-core and multi-core tests suggests it will also win in most compute-heavy applications, particularly those that benefit from the 15 MB L3 cache and quad-channel DDR4 memory bandwidth. The Xeon is the better choice for rendering tasks, scientific computing, and any workload that can use its 6 physical cores without needing integrated graphics.

The Intel Core i5-4570T wins in the categories not measured by Cinebench. Its 35 W TDP is less than half the Xeon's 85 W, making it far more suitable for compact, low-power systems or HTPCs where heat and electricity consumption are primary concerns. The integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics mean the i5 can operate in a system without a discrete GPU, which is impossible with the Xeon. The i5 also has a higher average benchmark score of 1108 versus the Xeon's 1103, suggesting that across the entire benchmark suite in the database, the i5 is marginally better in some other tests.

The i5's 4 threads and higher clock speeds (2.90 GHz base, 3.60 GHz boost) make it more responsive in lightly threaded tasks that are not cache-sensitive. Its dual-channel DDR3 memory support is simpler and more affordable to implement in a desktop motherboard. The i5's smaller die size (177 mm²) and fewer transistors (1,400 million) indicate a more efficient design for its intended market segment.

The Verdict

The data clearly favors the Intel Xeon E5-2603 v3 for raw performance. A 14.8% lead across every Cinebench test, combined with 6 cores, 15 MB of L3 cache, and quad-channel DDR4 with ECC support, makes it the superior choice for server and workstation environments where computational throughput is paramount. The Xeon's launch MSRP of $213 is listed in the data, and its end-of-life status suggests it may still be viable for legacy server builds.

The Intel Core i5-4570T is the right pick for desktop users who prioritize power efficiency and do not need ECC memory or massive cache capacities. Its 35 W TDP and integrated graphics make it ideal for small form factor PCs, media servers, or basic office machines where a discrete GPU is unnecessary. The i5's higher average benchmark score (1108 vs 1103) hints that it may outperform the Xeon in non-Cinebench workloads, though the data does not specify which tests those are.

For users building a new system, the socket incompatibility (1150 vs 2011-3) means the choice of CPU dictates the entire platform. The Xeon requires a more expensive motherboard with LGA 2011-3 support, while the i5 works with mainstream LGA 1150 boards. The Xeon's lack of integrated graphics also forces a discrete GPU purchase, increasing total system cost. The i5's 4 threads are sufficient for basic multitasking, but the Xeon's 6 physical cores provide more headroom for parallel workloads. The data cannot recommend one over the other without knowing the specific use case, but for pure benchmark performance, the Xeon E5-2603 v3 is the unambiguous winner.