Intel Core i5-5575R vs Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The recorded benchmark data shows a clear and consistent split: the Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 wins every single head-to-head test, while the Intel Core i5-5575R does not claim a single victory. Across six Cinebench workloads, the Xeon leads in both single-core and multi-core scenarios, which makes it the stronger option for compute-heavy tasks regardless of thread count.

The i5-5575R, however, is not without a role. Its 65 W TDP and desktop market segment suggest it is built for sustained operation in a conventional desktop chassis, while the Xeon E3-1505L v5, with a 25 W TDP and server/workstation positioning, targets environments where power draw and thermal output are tighter constraints. The data implies that users who prioritize raw throughput in rendering or simulation workloads should look to the Xeon, while those who need a desktop part with active production status and a simpler feature set may prefer the i5.

The Xeon also benefits from higher memory bandwidth in the database: 34.1 GB/s versus 29.9 GB/s for the i5. This advantage is modest but measurable, and it aligns with the Xeon’s consistent 13.5% lead across all multi-core benchmarks. The i5 does not lead in any recorded metric, so the use-case split is less about complementary strengths and more about the Xeon being the outright performer, with the i5 offering a different platform fit rather than a performance edge.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel’s 14 nm process node, but they belong to different architectural generations. The i5-5575R uses Broadwell, with a die size of 182 mm², while the Xeon E3-1505L v5 uses Skylake-H, with a die size of 122 mm² and 2,300 million transistors. The smaller die on the Xeon is notable given its larger L3 cache: 8 MB shared versus 4 MB shared on the i5.

Core and thread counts differ as well. The i5 has 4 cores and 4 threads, meaning no hyper-threading, while the Xeon has 4 cores and 8 threads. This explains the multi-core performance gap, as the Xeon can process twice as many threads concurrently. The i5’s base clock is 2.80 GHz with a boost of 3.30 GHz, whereas the Xeon’s base clock is 2000.00 MHz (2.00 GHz) with a boost of 2.80 GHz. Despite lower clock speeds, the Xeon still wins every benchmark, which points to architectural efficiency and thread count being more decisive than raw frequency.

Memory support also differs. The i5 only supports DDR3, while the Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, which is absent on the i5. Integrated graphics differ too: the i5 carries Iris Pro Graphics 6200, while the Xeon uses HD Graphics P530. Both use the same PCIe configuration: Gen 3 with 16 lanes, CPU only. The socket and form factor are different: Intel BGA 1364 for the i5, Intel BGA 1440 for the Xeon. The Xeon is marked as end-of-life in production status, while the i5 remains active.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-5575R has a boost clock of 3.30 GHz, which is higher than the Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5’s 2.80 GHz. However, the Xeon still outperforms the i5 in all recorded benchmarks.

Q: Does the Xeon E3-1505L v5 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i5-5575R does not. This makes the Xeon suitable for server or workstation environments where data integrity is critical.

Q: How much L3 cache does each processor have?

A: The Intel Core i5-5575R has 4 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Xeon’s larger cache may contribute to its performance lead.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core i5-5575R has a TDP of 65 W, while the Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 has a TDP of 25 W. The Xeon draws significantly less power, which is typical for a low-power server part.

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 has 8 threads (4 cores with hyper-threading), while the Intel Core i5-5575R has 4 threads (4 cores without hyper-threading). This doubling of thread count helps the Xeon in multi-threaded workloads.

Q: Are both processors on the same manufacturing process?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i5-5575R and the Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 are built on Intel’s 14 nm process node. They differ in architecture, die size, and transistor count, but share the same lithography.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The i5-5575R has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Xeon E3-1505L v5 has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are 2.80 GHz for the i5 and 2000.00 MHz for the Xeon; boost clocks are 3.30 GHz and 2.80 GHz respectively. TDP differs substantially: 65 W for the i5 versus 25 W for the Xeon.

Socket types are different: Intel BGA 1364 for the i5, Intel BGA 1440 for the Xeon. The i5 uses Broadwell architecture, while the Xeon uses Skylake-H. The i5 has a die size of 182 mm², while the Xeon has 122 mm² and 2,300 million transistors. L3 cache is 4 MB shared on the i5 and 8 MB shared on the Xeon.

Memory support differs: the i5 supports DDR3 only, while the Xeon supports DDR3 and DDR4. Memory bandwidth is 29.9 GB/s for the i5 and 34.1 GB/s for the Xeon. ECC memory is supported only on the Xeon. Integrated graphics are Iris Pro Graphics 6200 on the i5 and HD Graphics P530 on the Xeon. Market segments are Desktop for the i5 and Server/Workstation for the Xeon. Production status is Active for the i5 and End-of-life for the Xeon. Release dates are 2015-05-14 for the i5 and 2015-10-26 for the Xeon. Launch MSRP is $265 for the i5 and $433 for the Xeon.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Xeon E3-1505L v5 wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, with a consistent delta of around 13.5% in most cases. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 503 against the i5’s 435, a 13.5% lead. In single-core R15, the Xeon scores 71 versus 61, a 14.1% lead. The single-core gap is slightly larger in percentage terms, which is interesting because the i5 has a higher boost clock.

Cinebench R20 shows the same pattern: multi-core scores are 2099 for the Xeon and 1816 for the i5, a 13.5% delta. Single-core is 296 versus 256, also a 13.5% delta. Cinebench R23 continues the trend: multi-core is 4999 for the Xeon and 4324 for the i5, while single-core is 705 versus 610, both with a 13.5% delta.

The consistency of the 13.5% delta across R20 and R23, and the slightly larger 14.1% delta in R15 single-core, suggests the Xeon’s advantage is structural rather than workload-specific. The i5’s higher boost clock does not translate into a win anywhere, which implies that architectural efficiency, thread count, and cache size matter more than clock speed in these tests.

Average benchmark scores in the database place the i5 at 1478 and the Xeon at 1446, though the Xeon’s lower average is partly due to missing Geekbench scores in its record. The nearest rivals for the i5 include the Intel Core i5-7500T at 1483 (delta -0.4%), the Intel Core i7-4710HQ at 1473 (delta 0.4%), and the Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 at 1465 (delta 0.9%). For the Xeon, rivals include the AMD Opteron 6378 at 1447 (delta -0.1%), the AMD Ryzen 3 2200GE at 1444 (delta 0.1%), and the Intel Core i5-7300HQ at 1448 (delta -0.1%). Both CPUs sit at the 38th percentile among all processors, indicating they are mid-pack performers overall.

The Verdict

The data points to a single conclusion: the Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 is the superior performer in every measured workload. It wins all six Cinebench tests, offers twice the thread count, double the L3 cache, higher memory bandwidth, and ECC support, all while drawing only 25 W compared to the i5’s 65 W. For users who need maximum compute throughput in a low-power envelope, the Xeon is the clear choice from the recorded numbers.

The Intel Core i5-5575R, however, has its own appeal. It is still in active production, uses a desktop socket, and carries Iris Pro Graphics 6200, which may be preferable for desktop systems where integrated graphics quality matters. Its higher boost clock and lower launch MSRP of $265 versus $433 also make it a more accessible option on paper. But the benchmark data shows no scenario where the i5 outperforms the Xeon, so the choice comes down to platform fit and feature priorities rather than performance.

For a desktop user who values a currently produced part with a capable integrated GPU and does not need ECC memory, the i5-5575R is the reasonable pick. For a server or workstation user who prioritizes multi-threaded rendering, memory bandwidth, ECC reliability, and power efficiency, the Xeon E3-1505L v5 is the data-backed winner, despite being end-of-life. The verdict is not close: the Xeon wins on performance, efficiency, and memory features, while the i5 wins on production status and upfront cost.