Intel Core i5-4590S vs Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher base clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i5-4590S has a base clock of 2.90 GHz, while the Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 has a base clock of 2000.00 MHz (2.00 GHz). The i5 also boosts higher at 3.60 GHz compared to the Xeon's 2.80 GHz.

Q: Does the Xeon E3-1505L v5 support more threads?

A: Yes. The Xeon has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i5-4590S has 4 cores and 4 threads. This gives the Xeon a clear advantage in heavily threaded workloads.

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: Only the Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 supports ECC memory. The i5-4590S does not. The Xeon also supports both DDR3 and DDR4, while the i5 is limited to DDR3.

Q: What is the process node difference?

A: The i5-4590S is built on Intel's 22 nm process, while the Xeon E3-1505L v5 uses the newer 14 nm process. The Xeon also integrates 2,300 million transistors on a 122 mm² die, compared to 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die for the i5.

Q: Which CPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The i5-4590S has an average benchmark score of 1493, while the Xeon E3-1505L v5 scores 1446. However, the Xeon wins every single head-to-head benchmark in the database.

Q: What is the TDP of each chip?

A: The i5-4590S has a TDP of 65 W, while the Xeon E3-1505L v5 has a much lower TDP of 25 W. This makes the Xeon significantly more power-efficient.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-4590S and Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 occupy different niches, and the data reflects that clearly. Looking at the head-to-head benchmark results, the Xeon E3-1505L v5 wins all six recorded tests. The i5-4590S does not win a single benchmark in the comparison. However, the i5 still holds its own in the broader database, with an average score of 1493 versus the Xeon's 1446. That puts the i5 slightly ahead in overall aggregate performance, despite losing every direct comparison.

Where the i5-4590S shines is in raw clock speed and desktop-oriented use. With a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost of 3.60 GHz, it has a substantial frequency advantage over the Xeon's 2.00 GHz base and 2.80 GHz boost. For lightly threaded tasks or older software that relies heavily on single-core frequency, the i5's higher clocks can be relevant, even though the recorded single-core scores favor the Xeon.

The Xeon E3-1505L v5 wins in every measured multi-core and single-core test. Its 4 cores and 8 threads double the thread count of the i5, which explains the consistent 13% to 14% lead in Cinebench tests. The Xeon also has a larger shared L3 cache at 8 MB versus 6 MB, and it supports ECC memory, making it suitable for workstation or server environments where data integrity is critical. Its 25 W TDP is remarkably low, which is a major advantage in compact or passively cooled systems.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from different architectural generations. The i5-4590S is based on Haswell, released in 2014, while the Xeon E3-1505L v5 uses Skylake-H, released in 2015. This generational gap shows up in process technology: the i5 uses Intel's 22 nm node, while the Xeon uses the smaller 14 nm node. The Xeon packs more transistors (2,300 million) into a smaller die (122 mm²) compared to the i5's 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die.

Cache layout differs as well. Both CPUs have 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, but the L3 cache is larger on the Xeon at 8 MB shared, versus 6 MB shared on the i5. The Xeon also supports a wider range of memory types, including both DDR3 and DDR4, while the i5 is limited to DDR3. Memory bandwidth on the Xeon is rated at 34.1 GB/s, a figure not listed for the i5.

Integrated graphics also differ. The i5 ships with Intel HD 4600, while the Xeon uses HD Graphics P530. The Xeon is built for the server/workstation segment and has a BGA 1440 socket, whereas the i5 uses the desktop-oriented Intel Socket 1150. The Xeon is marked as end-of-life in production status, while the i5's status is not specified. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, which is a feature absent from the i5.

Specification Differences

The table below highlights where the two processors differ in their recorded specifications.

| Specification | Intel Core i5-4590S | Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 |

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

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.90 GHz | 2000.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.60 GHz | 2.80 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 25 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | Intel BGA 1440 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Skylake-H |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 14 nm |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | 2,300 million |

| Die Size | 177 mm² | 122 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR3, DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 34.1 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4600 | HD Graphics P530 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Production Status | Not listed | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2014-04-30 | 2015-10-26 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $433 |

| Part Number | Not listed | SR2E0 |

The Xeon clearly targets a different use case: lower power draw (25 W TPD), ECC support, and a mobile-style BGA package. The i5 is a conventional desktop part with higher clocks and a 65 W TDP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records six direct comparisons between these two CPUs, and the Xeon E3-1505L v5 wins all of them. The margins are consistent, ranging from 13.1% to 14.1% in favor of the Xeon.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 503 against the i5's 437, a 13.1% lead. Single-core in the same test shows 71 versus 61, a 14.1% gap. Moving to Cinebench R20, the Xeon posts 2099 multi-core versus 1821 for the i5, and 296 single-core versus 257. Both are 13.2% differences. Cinebench R23 follows the same pattern: the Xeon scores 4999 multi-core and 705 single-core, while the i5 manages 4338 and 612, respectively. The delta is again 13.2% in both cases.

The consistency of these results suggests the Xeon's advantage is structural: it has twice the threads (8 versus 4) and a newer, more efficient architecture. The i5's higher clock speeds do not compensate for the Xeon's thread count and Skylake efficiency in these tests. Even in single-core tests, where the i5's 3.60 GHz boost should help, the Xeon still leads by over 14%.

Geekbench results are not part of the head-to-head set, but the database lists them separately. The i5-4590S scores 3289 multi-core and 1126 single-core on Geekbench, while no Geekbench scores are recorded for the Xeon. This is worth noting for users who rely on Geekbench as a reference, but the Cinebench series provides the full comparison picture.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split: the Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 is the better performer in every recorded benchmark, and the Intel Core i5-4590S is the higher-clocked, desktop-oriented alternative.

For users who prioritize multi-threaded performance, ECC memory support, or low power consumption, the Xeon E3-1505L v5 is the obvious choice. Its 8 threads, 8 MB L3 cache, and 25 W TDP make it suitable for workstation builds, small form factor servers, or any system where efficiency and data integrity matter. The 13.2% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core (4999 versus 4338) is meaningful for render workloads, and the single-core advantage (705 versus 612) shows it is not just a multi-threaded specialist.

For users who need a simple, drop-in desktop CPU on Socket 1150 with higher clock speeds, the i5-4590S remains a functional choice. Its 3.60 GHz boost clock is the highest of the two, and its 65 W TDP is still reasonable for a desktop part. However, the benchmark data shows it trails the Xeon in every measured test, and it lacks ECC support and DDR4 compatibility.

The Xeon's launch MSRP of $433 reflects its workstation positioning, but the i5-4590S has no listed launch price in the database. The Xeon is also marked end-of-life, so availability may be limited. Ultimately, the recorded performance data says the Xeon E3-1505L v5 is the faster CPU. The i5-4590S is the higher-frequency part, but frequency alone does not win these benchmarks. If the task is rendering, compiling, or any workload that scales with threads, the Xeon is the clear winner. If the priority is a conventional desktop platform with a familiar socket and higher clocks, the i5 can still serve, but expect a measurable performance penalty across the board.