Intel Core i5-4690K vs Intel Xeon D-1528 Comparison

The Intel Core i5-4690K and Intel Xeon D-1528 are both Intel parts, but they target completely different corners of the market. The i5-4690K is a desktop Haswell chip built for overclocking, while the Xeon D-1528 is a soldered server processor from the Broadwell generation. Despite their differing purposes, the benchmark data shows that the Xeon D-1528 is the clear performance winner, though the i5-4690K holds its own in specific scenarios. This analysis breaks down the numbers to determine which processor fits which role.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are decisively one-sided. Across all six Cinebench tests, the Intel Xeon D-1528 wins every single comparison. The most telling numbers come from the multi-core tests, where the Xeon’s advantage is consistent and significant. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon D-1528 scores 584 against the i5-4690K’s 486, a delta of -16.8% from the i5’s perspective. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the Xeon posts 2435 versus the i5’s 2027, again a -16.8% difference. The Cinebench R23 multi-core test shows the same story: the Xeon scores 5799, while the i5 manages 4828, a -16.7% gap.

The single-core results are just as lopsided, which might surprise those expecting the higher-boost desktop chip to lead. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Xeon D-1528 scores 82 versus the i5-4690K’s 68, a -17.1% delta. Cinebench R20 single-core sees the Xeon at 343 and the i5 at 286, a -16.6% gap. Finally, Cinebench R23 single-core has the Xeon at 818 and the i5 at 681, a -16.7% difference. The Xeon wins by roughly 17% in every test, whether single-threaded or multi-threaded.

Looking at overall averages, the two chips are nearly inseparable. The i5-4690K has an average benchmark score of 1682, while the Xeon D-1528 sits at 1677. The delta between them is a mere 0.3%, with the i5 technically ahead in this aggregate metric. Both processors rank in the 40th percentile against all CPUs. However, the head-to-head Cinebench suite tells a different story, with the Xeon winning 6 out of 6 tests. The i5’s average is buoyed by Geekbench scores that the Xeon lacks: the i5 scores 3789 in Geekbench multi-core and 1292 in single-core. These Geekbench results are not included in the head-to-head comparison, but they contribute to the i5’s slightly higher average.

FAQ

Q: Is the Intel Xeon D-1528 faster than the Intel Core i5-4690K in every benchmark?

A: Yes, in the direct head-to-head Cinebench comparisons, the Xeon D-1528 wins all six tests. It leads by roughly 17% in R15, R20, and R23, for both single-core and multi-core workloads.

Q: How close are these two processors in overall performance?

A: The average benchmark scores are nearly identical. The i5-4690K averages 1682, and the Xeon D-1528 averages 1677. The difference is only 0.3%, making them equivalent in aggregate performance across all recorded tests.

Q: Does the Core i5-4690K have any advantages in the benchmark suite?

A: The i5-4690K does not win any of the six head-to-head Cinebench tests. However, it has additional Geekbench scores (3789 multi-core, 1292 single-core) that are not part of the direct comparison, which help its overall average.

Q: What is the performance percentile for both chips?

A: Both the Intel Core i5-4690K and the Intel Xeon D-1528 rank in the 40th percentile against all CPUs, according to the available data.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1528 has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Core i5-4690K has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Can the Core i5-4690K be overclocked?

A: Yes, the i5-4690K has an unlocked multiplier (multiplierUnlocked: true), which allows for overclocking. The Xeon D-1528 has a locked multiplier.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different generations and manufacturing processes. The Intel Core i5-4690K is built on the 22 nm Haswell architecture, with a die size of 177 mm² and 1,400 million transistors. In contrast, the Intel Xeon D-1528 uses the 14 nm Broadwell architecture, packing 3,200 million transistors into a larger 246 mm² die. This newer process node gives the Xeon a density advantage, though it operates in a different market segment.

Cache configurations also differ significantly. Both chips share the same L1 cache at 64 KB per core and L2 cache at 256 KB per core. However, the L3 cache arrangement is distinct. The i5-4690K has a shared 6 MB L3 cache for its four cores. The Xeon D-1528 allocates 1.5 MB of L3 cache per core, which totals more cache overall when all six cores are considered. This per-core allocation can benefit multi-threaded workloads that access distinct data sets.

Memory support is another major architectural divide. The i5-4690K supports only DDR3 memory on a dual-channel bus, with a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. The Xeon D-1528 supports both DDR3 and DDR4, also on a dual-channel bus, though its memory bandwidth is not listed in the data. Crucially, the Xeon supports ECC memory, while the i5 does not. This makes the Xeon suitable for error-correcting workloads common in server environments. The Xeon also provides more PCIe lanes: 24 Gen 3 lanes (CPU only) versus 16 Gen 3 lanes on the i5.

The i5-4690K includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 4600), while the Xeon D-1528 has no integrated graphics at all. The Xeon is a server part designed for a discrete GPU or no display output, whereas the i5 can run a system without a dedicated graphics card.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors:

• Cores: The i5-4690K has 4 cores; the Xeon D-1528 has 6 cores.
• Threads: The i5-4690K has 4 threads; the Xeon D-1528 has 12 threads.
• Base Clock: The i5-4690K runs at 3.50 GHz; the Xeon D-1528 runs at 1900.00 MHz.
• Boost Clock: The i5-4690K boosts to 3.90 GHz; the Xeon D-1528 boosts to 2.50 GHz.
• TDP: The i5-4690K has a TDP of 88 W; the Xeon D-1528 has a TDP of 35 W.
• Socket: The i5-4690K uses Intel Socket 1150; the Xeon D-1528 uses Intel BGA 1667.
• Process Node: The i5-4690K is 22 nm; the Xeon D-1528 is 14 nm.
• Transistors: The i5-4690K has 1,400 million; the Xeon D-1528 has 3,200 million.
• Die Size: The i5-4690K is 177 mm²; the Xeon D-1528 is 246 mm².
• L3 Cache: The i5-4690K has 6 MB shared; the Xeon D-1528 has 1.5 MB per core.
• Memory Support: The i5-4690K supports DDR3; the Xeon D-1528 supports DDR3 and DDR4.
• Memory Bandwidth: The i5-4690K has 25.6 GB/s; this is not listed for the Xeon.
• ECC Memory: The i5-4690K does not support ECC; the Xeon D-1528 does.
• PCIe Lanes: The i5-4690K has 16 Gen 3 lanes; the Xeon D-1528 has 24 Gen 3 lanes.
• Integrated Graphics: The i5-4690K has Intel HD 4600; the Xeon D-1528 has none.
• Market Segment: The i5-4690K is Desktop; the Xeon D-1528 is Server/Workstation.
• Production Status: The i5-4690K is End-of-life; the Xeon D-1528 is Active.
• Release Date: The i5-4690K released on 2014-06-01; the Xeon D-1528 released on 2015-10-31.
• Launch MSRP: The i5-4690K launched at $243; the Xeon D-1528 launched at $320.
• Multiplier Unlocked: The i5-4690K is unlocked; the Xeon D-1528 is locked.
• Part Number: The i5-4690K is SR21A; the Xeon D-1528 is SR2DL.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon D-1528 wins in every head-to-head Cinebench test, making it the superior choice for pure computational throughput. Its 6 cores and 12 threads provide a clear multi-threading advantage, which is reflected in the consistent ~17% lead across multi-core benchmarks. This makes the Xeon the better pick for server workloads, virtualization, and heavily threaded applications where ECC memory support and 24 PCIe lanes are also valuable assets. Its low 35 W TDP is a practical advantage for dense server deployments where power and cooling are constraints.

The Intel Core i5-4690K does not win any direct benchmark comparison, but it has strengths outside the Cinebench suite. Its Geekbench scores (3789 multi-core, 1292 single-core) contribute to its slightly higher average benchmark score of 1682 versus the Xeon’s 1677. The i5 also has integrated graphics, which the Xeon lacks entirely. This allows the i5 to serve as a standalone desktop system without a discrete GPU. The unlocked multiplier on the i5-4690K enables overclocking, potentially improving its performance beyond stock numbers, though the data does not quantify this. For a desktop user building a gaming or general-purpose PC on the Intel Socket 1150 platform, the i5 is the practical choice due to its lower launch MSRP of $243 and consumer-oriented features.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon D-1528 is the faster processor in raw benchmark performance. It wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests by approximately 17%, and it offers ECC memory support, more PCIe lanes, and a dramatically lower TDP of 35 W versus 88 W. If the task is multi-threaded rendering, server duty, or any workload that scales with cores and threads, the Xeon D-1528 is the correct pick.

The Intel Core i5-4690K is not without merit, though its wins are less visible in the direct comparison. Its average benchmark score of 1682 edges out the Xeon’s 1677 by 0.3%, driven by Geekbench results that are not part of the head-to-head suite. It also brings integrated graphics and an unlocked multiplier, making it a flexible and overclockable desktop part. For a builder on a desktop platform who values the ability to overclock, needs integrated graphics, or wants to avoid the server-oriented BGA 1667 socket, the i5-4690K is the sensible choice despite being end-of-life.

Choose the Xeon D-1528 for server and workstation tasks where ECC memory, multi-core performance, and low power draw matter most. Choose the i5-4690K for a conventional desktop build where integrated graphics, overclocking, and a lower launch MSRP are priorities. The benchmarks show the Xeon is the performance leader, but the i5 remains a viable desktop option.