Intel Core i5-6600K vs Intel Xeon D-1537 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core test?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1537 scores 6327, while the Intel Core i5-6600K scores 5363. The Xeon wins by a delta of 18% in that test.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-6600K win any head-to-head benchmark?

A: No. In the six head-to-head Cinebench benchmarks listed, the Xeon D-1537 wins all six. The i5-6600K records zero wins.

Q: How do the two chips compare in single-core performance?

A: The Xeon D-1537 leads in every single-core test. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 90 versus 76 for the i5, a delta of 18.4%. In R20 single-core, the Xeon scores 375 versus 317, an 18.3% lead.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The Xeon D-1537 has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Core i5-6600K has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Xeon has double the cores and four times the threads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the Intel Xeon D-1537 has ECC memory support. The Core i5-6600K does not support ECC memory.

Q: What is the launch MSRP for each chip?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1537 has a launch MSRP of $470. The Intel Core i5-6600K has a launch MSRP of $242.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel architectures, which explains much of their divergent behavior. The Xeon D-1537 uses the Broadwell architecture, specifically the Broadwell-DE generation, built for server and workstation workloads. The Core i5-6600K uses Skylake, a desktop-oriented architecture from the Core i5 generation. Both are manufactured on the same 14 nm process node, but that is where the similarity ends.

The Xeon D-1537 packs 8 cores and 16 threads, a configuration aimed at parallel throughput. The Core i5-6600K has 4 cores and 4 threads, a traditional desktop setup. The Xeon’s cache layout is per-core: 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, with 1.5 MB L3 per core. The i5-6600K also has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, but its L3 cache is 6 MB shared across all four cores. This structural difference in cache organization—per-core versus shared—reflects their different target markets.

The Xeon D-1537 is a system-on-chip style part with a BGA 1667 socket, meaning it is soldered rather than socketed for user replacement. The Core i5-6600K uses the LGA Socket 1151, a standard desktop socket. The Xeon supports ECC memory, a reliability feature absent on the i5. The Xeon also exposes 24 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, while the i5-6600K has 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. The i5 includes integrated HD Graphics 530; the Xeon has no integrated graphics listed.

Power characteristics differ sharply. The Xeon D-1537 has a TDP of 35 watts, while the Core i5-6600K has a TDP of 91 watts. This is a 56-watt difference, making the Xeon far more power-efficient on paper. Clock speeds tell the opposite story: the i5-6600K has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz, versus the Xeon’s 1.70 GHz base and 2.30 GHz boost. The i5 also has an unlocked multiplier, while the Xeon’s multiplier is locked.

The Xeon D-1537 was released on 2015-10-31, and the Core i5-6600K on 2015-08-04. The Xeon remains in active production, while the i5-6600K is end-of-life. Both support DDR3 and DDR4 memory in dual-channel mode, though the i5 lists a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data is unambiguous: the Xeon D-1537 wins every single benchmark comparison, and the margins are consistent. Across all six Cinebench tests, the delta ranges from 18.0% to 18.4%. This consistency suggests a systematic advantage rather than a test-specific fluke.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 637 versus the i5’s 540, an 18% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows 90 versus 76, a slightly larger 18.4% delta. Moving to Cinebench R20, the Xeon leads 2657 to 2252 in multi-core (18%) and 375 to 317 in single-core (18.3%). In Cinebench R23, the Xeon scores 6327 versus 5363 in multi-core and 893 versus 757 in single-core, both with an 18% delta.

What is notable is that the Xeon wins single-core tests despite having a much lower clock speed. The i5-6600K boosts to 3.90 GHz, while the Xeon boosts to only 2.30 GHz. Yet the Xeon still outperforms the i5 in single-threaded workloads. This is an interesting result that suggests the Xeon’s architecture or memory subsystem compensates for its clock deficit.

The multi-core wins are easier to explain: the Xeon has 8 cores and 16 threads versus 4 cores and 4 threads. The 18% delta in multi-core tests is actually modest given the core and thread advantage. One might expect a larger gap, but the i5’s higher clock speeds likely narrow the difference. The data shows the Xeon wins, but not by the 2x margin that core counts might suggest.

The avgBenchmarkScore data places the Xeon at 1830 and the i5 at 1816, a difference of only 14 points. The Xeon’s percentileVsAllCpus is 42, and the i5’s is also 42. Both chips sit at the same percentile, meaning they are statistically comparable in overall benchmark averages despite the Xeon’s head-to-head sweep.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Xeon D-1537 | Intel Core i5-6600K |

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

| Cores | 8 | 4 |

| Threads | 16 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 1700.00 | 3.50 |

| Boost Clock | 2.30 | 3.90 |

| TDP | 35 | 91 |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1667 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Broadwell | Skylake |

| Generation | Xeon D (Broadwell-DE) | Core i5 (Skylake) |

| L3 Cache | 1.5 MB (per core) | 6 MB (shared) |

| ECC Memory | true | false |

| PCIe Lanes | Gen 3, 24 Lanes | Gen 3, 16 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | none | HD Graphics 530 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2015-10-31 | 2015-08-04 |

| Launch MSRP | $470 | $242 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | false | true |

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

The Xeon D-1537 and Core i5-6600K differ in nearly every key specification. The Xeon has twice the cores, four times the threads, a much lower TDP, a soldered socket, ECC support, more PCIe lanes, and a per-core L3 cache layout. The i5-6600K has higher clock speeds, an unlocked multiplier, integrated graphics, a shared L3 cache, a desktop socket, and a lower launch MSRP.

The Verdict

The benchmark data favors the Intel Xeon D-1537 in every head-to-head test. It wins all six Cinebench comparisons, with deltas between 18.0% and 18.4%. The Xeon achieves this despite a significantly lower boost clock of 2.30 GHz versus the i5’s 3.90 GHz. This suggests the Xeon’s architectural design, likely its cache hierarchy and memory subsystem, delivers superior per-clock performance.

However, the avgBenchmarkScore tells a more nuanced story. The Xeon averages 1830, and the i5 averages 1816. The Xeon’s nearest rival is the Intel Xeon E5-2608L v3 at 1830 with a 0% delta, and the Intel Core i5-8305G at 1831 with a 0% delta. The i5-6600K’s nearest rival is the Intel Xeon E3-1505M v5 at 1817 with a -0.1% delta. Both chips sit at the 42nd percentile of all CPUs. This means that while the Xeon wins the direct comparison, the overall benchmark landscape treats them as comparable processors.

The Xeon D-1537 is the clear choice for workloads that benefit from multi-threading, ECC memory, and low power consumption. Its 35-watt TDP is remarkable for an 8-core, 16-thread part. The i5-6600K, with its unlocked multiplier and integrated graphics, is positioned for desktop users who prioritize clock speed and overclocking, though the data shows it loses every benchmark to the Xeon.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon D-1537 wins in every measured benchmark category. It is the stronger processor for multi-core rendering, as shown by its 6327 Cinebench R23 multi-core score versus the i5’s 5363. It also wins single-core tests, which is unexpected given the clock speed disparity. The Xeon is suited for server or workstation environments where ECC memory, 24 PCIe lanes, and 16 threads are valuable. Its active production status and low TDP make it a viable long-term option for dense compute deployments.

The Intel Core i5-6600K does not win any benchmark in the head-to-head data. Its strengths lie in its specifications rather than its measured performance. The unlocked multiplier allows for overclocking, which could potentially close the gap in real-world use, though the data provided does not include overclocked results. The integrated HD Graphics 530 eliminates the need for a discrete GPU in basic display scenarios. The i5 also has a lower launch MSRP of $242, though pricing is not part of this analysis. Its end-of-life status and 91-watt TDP are disadvantages. For users who require a socketed desktop processor with overclocking headroom, the i5-6600K offers that capability, but the benchmark data shows the Xeon D-1537 as the superior performer in every tested workload.