Intel Core i5-4670T vs Intel Xeon E3-1235L v5 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Xeon E3-1235L v5 is the definitive winner in every recorded benchmark, taking all six head-to-head tests with a consistent performance advantage over the Intel Core i5-4670T. The data shows no contest: the Xeon leads by roughly 10% across both single-core and multi-core workloads, with the margin staying remarkably stable.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 429 against the i5-4670T's 384, a 10.5% advantage. The single-core R15 result follows the same pattern, with the Xeon at 60 and the i5 at 54, a 10% gap. Moving to Cinebench R20, the Xeon posts 1789 multi-core versus 1604 for the i5, a 10.3% lead, and 252 single-core versus 226, again 10.3%. Cinebench R23 tells an identical story: the Xeon reaches 4261 multi-core and 601 single-core, while the i5 manages 3820 and 539, with the same 10.3% delta in both tests.

The consistency of the margin is notable. Across six tests, the Xeon's advantage never dips below 10% or exceeds 10.5%. This indicates a systematic performance edge rather than workload-specific behavior. The i5-4670T does score higher in Geekbench, where it records 2563 multi-core and 977 single-core, but the Xeon has no Geekbench entry in the database for direct comparison, and the head-to-head table lists the Xeon as the winner in all six recorded matchups.

The average benchmark scores place these two side by side: the i5-4670T averages 1271, while the Xeon averages 1232. The i5's nearest rivals include the Intel Atom x7425E at 1273 (a 0.2% difference), the Intel Core i5-4430S at 1274 (0.2%), and the Intel Core i3-1005G1 at 1265 (0.5% behind). The Xeon's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-8109U at 1235 (0.2% ahead), the Intel Pentium Gold G6600 at 1235 (0.2% ahead), and the Intel Core i7-3610QM at 1244 (1% ahead). Despite the Xeon winning every direct comparison, its average score sits slightly lower because the benchmark sets are not identical; the i5 includes Geekbench results that boost its average.

The percentile rankings are nearly identical: the i5 sits at the 35th percentile of all CPUs, while the Xeon sits at the 34th. This positions both as mid-low tier processors in the broader database, with the Xeon's direct wins being offset by the absence of Geekbench data and the i5's inclusion of it.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and process nodes. The i5-4670T is a Haswell part built on Intel's 22 nm node, while the Xeon E3-1235L v5 is a Skylake-DT part on the 14 nm node. The smaller process node gives the Xeon a significant transistor density advantage: it packs 1,750 million transistors into a 122 mm² die, whereas the i5 uses 1,400 million transistors across a larger 177 mm² die. The Xeon's die is 31% smaller, yet holds 25% more transistors.

Both chips feature 4 cores and 4 threads, so there is no multithreading advantage on either side. The cache hierarchy differs in the shared L3: the i5 has 6 MB shared, while the Xeon has 8 MB shared. L1 and L2 remain identical at 64 KB per core and 256 KB per core, respectively.

Memory support is a major differentiator. The i5-4670T supports only DDR3, while the Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4. The Xeon also has a recorded memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, which the i5 lacks in the database. Both run dual-channel memory buses.

ECC memory support is exclusive to the Xeon. This is a key server feature, allowing error correction in memory operations, and it is absent on the i5. The integrated graphics also differ: the i5 has Intel HD 4600, while the Xeon has HD Graphics P530. Neither is a gaming-class GPU, but they serve different purposes, with the Xeon's P530 aimed at workstation reliability.

The sockets differ: the i5 uses Intel Socket 1150, while the Xeon uses Intel Socket 1151. This means they are not interchangeable in motherboards. The PCIe implementation is Gen 3 for both, but the Xeon lists "16 Lanes (CPU only)" while the i5 simply lists "Gen 3" without lane details.

The Xeon is marked as end-of-life in production status, while the i5 has no recorded status. The Xeon carries a launch MSRP of $250, which is the only pricing data available. The i5 has no launch MSRP recorded.

The base and boost clocks differ: the i5 runs at 2.30 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost, while the Xeon runs at 2000.00 MHz base (2.0 GHz) and 3.00 GHz boost. The Xeon has lower clocks in both states, yet it wins every benchmark, which points to architectural efficiency from the newer Skylake core and the larger L3 cache.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-4670T has a boost clock of 3.30 GHz, while the Intel Xeon E3-1235L v5 has a boost clock of 3.00 GHz. The i5 is 0.30 GHz higher, but the Xeon still wins every head-to-head benchmark.

Q: Does the Xeon E3-1235L v5 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon supports ECC memory. The i5-4670T does not. This is a critical distinction for server or workstation use where data integrity matters.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The i5-4670T has a TDP of 45 watts, while the Xeon has a TDP of 25 watts. The Xeon draws 20 watts less, which is notable given that it wins all six head-to-head tests.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Xeon E3-1235L v5 has 8 MB shared L3 cache, while the i5-4670T has 6 MB shared. Both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core.

Q: Can the i5-4670T be used in the same motherboard as the Xeon?

A: No. The i5 uses Intel Socket 1150, and the Xeon uses Intel Socket 1151. They are physically incompatible with each other's boards.

Q: What is the release date gap between these processors?

A: The i5-4670T was released on 2013-06-01, and the Xeon was released on 2015-10-18. The Xeon is about two years and four months newer.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-4670T | Intel Xeon E3-1235L v5 |

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

| Base Clock | 2.30 GHz | 2000.00 MHz (2.0 GHz) |

| Boost Clock | 3.30 GHz | 3.00 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 25 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Skylake |

| Codename | Haswell | Skylake-DT |

| Generation | Core i5 (Haswell) | Xeon E3 (Skylake-DT) |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 14 nm |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | 1,750 million |

| Die Size | 177 mm² | 122 mm² |

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

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR3, DDR4 |

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

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 3 | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

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

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

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

| Release Date | 2013-06-01 | 2015-10-18 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $250 |

| Part Number | SR14P | SR2LM |

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E3-1235L v5 wins every single benchmark in the head-to-head comparison. In Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both multi-core and single-core, the Xeon leads by 10% to 10.5%. This is a clean sweep across rendering workloads that stress both thread scaling and single-thread responsiveness. The Xeon's wins are consistent, and the margin never varies by more than half a percentage point, indicating a stable architectural advantage rather than a test-specific fluke.

The Xeon also wins on efficiency. With a TDP of 25 watts versus the i5's 45 watts, the Xeon delivers more performance while drawing 44% less power. This makes it the stronger choice for thermally constrained environments, dense server racks, or any build where heat output and power draw are primary concerns.

The Xeon wins on memory flexibility and data integrity. It supports both DDR3 and DDR4, while the i5 is limited to DDR3. The Xeon also has ECC memory support, which the i5 lacks entirely. For workloads where a memory error could corrupt data, such as database serving or long-running computation, the Xeon's ECC capability is a decisive feature.

The i5-4670T does not win a single recorded head-to-head benchmark. Its only advantage appears in Geekbench, where it scores 2563 multi-core and 977 single-core, but the Xeon has no Geekbench result for comparison. The i5 also has a higher base clock (2.30 GHz vs 2.0 GHz) and higher boost clock (3.30 GHz vs 3.00 GHz), but these clock advantages do not translate into benchmark wins. In the database's recorded tests, the i5 has zero wins and the Xeon has six.

The i5's average benchmark score is higher at 1271 versus 1232, but this is due to the inclusion of Geekbench data, not to any actual performance superiority. The i5's percentile rank is 35th, versus the Xeon's 34th, a negligible difference.

The Verdict

The data points to a single conclusion: the Intel Xeon E3-1235L v5 is the superior processor in every measurable head-to-head test. It wins all six Cinebench benchmarks, draws less power, supports newer memory standards, and offers ECC functionality. The i5-4670T has no benchmark wins and no feature that overcomes the Xeon's advantages.

Choose the Xeon E3-1235L v5 if your priority is raw performance in CPU-bound tasks. The 10.3% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core (4261 vs 3820) and the 10.3% lead in single-core (601 vs 539) are consistent and meaningful. Choose it if you need low power consumption, as its 25 watt TDP is nearly half the i5's 45 watts. Choose it if you run a server or workstation where ECC memory support is mandatory, or if you want the flexibility of DDR4 memory support.

Choose the i5-4670T only if you are locked into the Socket 1150 platform and cannot upgrade the motherboard. Its higher clock speeds do not translate into wins, and its only strong showing is in Geekbench, where the Xeon has no recorded result. The i5's 35th percentile rank versus the Xeon's 34th is statistically irrelevant.

In short, the Xeon E3-1235L v5 is the better chip by every recorded metric. The i5-4670T is a capable desktop processor from the Haswell era, but it loses to the Skylake-based Xeon across the board. For any new build, the Xeon is the clear pick. For an existing Socket 1150 system, the i5 remains functional, but it cannot match the Xeon's performance, efficiency, or server features.