Intel Core i5-5287U vs Intel Xeon W3580 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon W3580 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-5287U has 2 cores and 4 threads. The Xeon's core advantage directly contributes to its multicore benchmark lead.

Q: What is the performance gap in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Xeon W3580 scores 3092 versus the i5-5287U's 2596, a 16% difference. In every single head-to-head benchmark, the Xeon wins by roughly 16%.

Q: Which chip has a higher base clock speed?

A: The Xeon W3580 runs at 3.33 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost, while the i5-5287U runs at 2.90 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost. The Xeon's higher clocks help its single-core performance.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Xeon W3580 supports ECC memory, while the i5-5287U does not. This makes the Xeon better suited for error-sensitive workstation tasks.

Q: What are the thermal design power (TDP) ratings?

A: The i5-5287U has a 28W TDP, while the Xeon W3580 has a 130W TDP. The i5's much lower TDP reflects its mobile focus and far greater power efficiency.

Q: Which chip has integrated graphics?

A: Only the i5-5287U includes integrated graphics, specifically the Intel Iris 6100. The Xeon W3580 has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras and design philosophies. The Intel Core i5-5287U is a Broadwell-U part built on a 14 nm process, containing 1,900 million transistors on a 133 mm² die. It targets the mobile segment with a 28W TDP and uses the Intel BGA 1168 socket. In contrast, the Intel Xeon W3580 is a Nehalem-generation Bloomfield chip fabricated on a 45 nm process, with 731 million transistors on a 263 mm² die. It is a server/workstation part with a 130W TDP and uses the Intel Socket 1366.

Cache hierarchies differ notably. Both share 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, but the i5-5287U has 3 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Xeon W3580 has 8 MB of shared L3. The Xeon's larger L3 cache is consistent with its server heritage and helps feed its four cores.

Memory architecture also separates them. The i5-5287U supports dual-channel DDR3 with a memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s. The Xeon W3580 supports triple-channel DDR3, though its bandwidth figure is not listed. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the i5. The i5 has PCIe Gen 2 with 12 lanes (CPU only), while the Xeon has PCIe Gen 2 without a lane count specified.

Production status for both is end-of-life. The i5-5287U was released in 2015 with a launch MSRP of $315, while the Xeon W3580 was released in 2009 with no launch MSRP available. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier. The i5 includes the Intel Iris 6100 integrated GPU; the Xeon has none.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Xeon W3580 wins all five head-to-head tests, with every delta sitting near 16%. This consistency across different Cinebench versions and workloads indicates a stable performance advantage rather than a workload-specific anomaly.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Xeon scores 311 against the i5-5287U's 261, a 16.1% lead. The R20 multicore test shows a similar pattern: 1298 for the Xeon versus 1090 for the i5, a 16% difference. The R23 multicore test yields 3092 versus 2596, again a 16% edge for the Xeon. These multicore results align with the Xeon's doubling of cores and threads.

Single-core performance tells the same story. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Xeon scores 183 versus the i5's 153, a 16.4% gap. In R23 single-core, the Xeon posts 436 versus 366, a 16.1% difference. This is noteworthy because single-core tests typically favor newer architectures due to better IPC. The i5's Broadwell architecture (14 nm, 2015) should have an IPC advantage over Nehalem (45 nm, 2009), yet the Xeon's higher clock speeds (3.33 GHz base vs. 2.90 GHz) overcome that architectural edge.

The i5-5287U does have two additional benchmark scores not present for the Xeon: Geekbench multicore at 2007 and single-core at 1029. These cannot be directly compared, but they contribute to the i5's average benchmark score of 1072, versus the Xeon's 1064.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear performance hierarchy: the Xeon W3580 is faster in every measured Cinebench workload, with margins between 16% and 16.4%. If raw compute performance is the sole criterion, the Xeon is the better choice. Its 4 cores, 8 threads, 8 MB of L3 cache, and higher clock speeds combine to deliver superior results across both single-threaded and multi-threaded tests.

However, the i5-5287U is not without merit. It offers a dramatically lower TDP (28W versus 130W), integrated graphics (Intel Iris 6100), and a newer 14 nm process. The i5's average benchmark score of 1072 is essentially tied with the Xeon's 1064, meaning the two chips land in the same performance class overall when considering the full benchmark suite. The i5 also sits at the 30th percentile versus all CPUs, while the Xeon sits at the 29th percentile — effectively equivalent standing.

The choice hinges on use case. For a system where the CPU must fit in a mobile chassis, keep thermals low, and provide graphics output without a dedicated GPU, the i5-5287U is the logical pick. For a workstation or server where power draw is secondary and ECC memory support is required, the Xeon W3580 is the stronger option. The Xeon's 16% performance lead in every Cinebench test, combined with ECC support, makes it the better pure compute engine. The i5's advantages — power efficiency, integrated graphics, and a smaller footprint — are qualitative rather than raw-performance-based.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the two processors:

• Cores: 2 (i5-5287U) vs 4 (Xeon W3580)
• Threads: 4 vs 8
• Base clock: 2.90 GHz vs 3.33 GHz
• Boost clock: 3.30 GHz vs 3.60 GHz
• TDP: 28W vs 130W
• Socket: Intel BGA 1168 vs Intel Socket 1366
• Architecture: Broadwell vs Nehalem
• Codename: Broadwell-U vs Bloomfield
• Process node: 14 nm vs 45 nm
• Transistors: 1,900 million vs 731 million
• Die size: 133 mm² vs 263 mm²
• L3 cache: 3 MB shared vs 8 MB shared
• Memory bus: Dual-channel vs Triple-channel
• Memory bandwidth: 29.9 GB/s vs not specified
• ECC memory: false vs true
• PCIe: Gen 2, 12 Lanes (CPU only) vs Gen 2
• Integrated graphics: Intel Iris 6100 vs none
• Market segment: Mobile vs Server/Workstation
• Release date: 2015-02-28 vs 2009-08-08
• Launch MSRP: $315 vs null
• Part number: SR26H vs SLBET

Fields that are the same include manufacturer (Intel), L1 cache (64 KB per core), L2 cache (256 KB per core), memory support (DDR3), production status (end-of-life), and multiplier unlocked (false for both).

Where Each One Wins

Intel Xeon W3580 wins in all pure performance benchmarks. It takes every Cinebench test — R15 multicore (311 vs 261), R20 multicore (1298 vs 1090), R20 single-core (183 vs 153), R23 multicore (3092 vs 2596), and R23 single-core (436 vs 366). The Xeon's 16% consistent lead across these tests makes it the clear choice for compute-bound workloads. Its triple-channel memory bus and 8 MB of L3 cache further support memory-intensive server tasks. The ECC memory capability is a decisive feature for scientific computing, financial modeling, or long-running server processes where data integrity is paramount.

Intel Core i5-5287U wins in power efficiency and integration. Its 28W TDP is less than a quarter of the Xeon's 130W, making it suitable for laptops, compact desktops, or fanless designs. The integrated Intel Iris 6100 GPU eliminates the need for a separate graphics card in basic display or media scenarios. The 14 nm process and smaller 133 mm² die indicate a more modern manufacturing approach, and the dual-channel memory with 29.9 GB/s bandwidth is sufficient for typical mobile workloads. The i5's Geekbench scores (2007 multicore, 1029 single-core) are included in its benchmark set but have no direct Xeon counterpart.

Use-case split: Choose the Xeon W3580 for rack servers, workstations, or any system where maximum compute throughput per socket matters and power draw is not a constraint. Choose the i5-5287U for portable devices, all-in-one systems, or any build requiring an integrated GPU and minimal cooling. The Xeon's 16% performance edge in every head-to-head test is the deciding factor for raw performance; the i5's 28W TDP and integrated graphics are the deciding factors for form factor and efficiency.