Intel Core i5-760 vs Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3 Comparison
Intel Core i5-760
Xeon E3-1226 v3
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core i5-760 vs Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3
The Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3 and the Intel Core i5-760 are both 4-core, 4-thread processors, but they come from different eras. The Xeon is a Haswell-based server chip released in 2014, while the i5-760 is a Nehalem-based desktop part from 2010. Benchmark data shows the Xeon ahead in every recorded test, though by narrow margins.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The head-to-head results are unambiguous: the Xeon E3-1226 v3 wins all six Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 472 against the i5-760's 466, a 1.3% lead. Single-core R15 is 66 vs 65, a 1.5% edge. Moving to R20, the Xeon posts 1970 vs 1942 in multi-core (1.4% ahead) and 278 vs 273 in single-core (1.8% ahead). The R23 results follow the same pattern: 4692 vs 4624 multi-core (1.5%) and 662 vs 652 single-core (1.5%). The Xeon's largest win is in R20 single-core at 1.8%, but even that is a small margin.
These numbers place both chips in a similar performance band. The Xeon's average benchmark score is 1357, while the i5-760 sits at 1337. That puts the Xeon at the 36th percentile of all CPUs, and the i5-760 at the 35th. The Xeon's nearest rivals include the Core i5-6500T (avg 1362, delta -0.3%) and the Core i5-8365UE (avg 1362, delta -0.4%), meaning the Xeon is essentially tied with those parts. The i5-760's nearest rivals include the Core i5-4590T (avg 1340, delta -0.2%) and the Core i5-4670 (avg 1347, delta -0.8%), again a close grouping. So while the Xeon is consistently faster, the gap is not dramatic.
The single-core results are particularly telling. The Xeon's 1.5% to 1.8% advantage in single-threaded workloads reflects its higher base and boost clocks: 3.30 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost versus 2.80 GHz and 3.33 GHz for the i5-760. The Xeon also benefits from a newer architecture, but the clock speed difference is the primary driver.
FAQ
Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?
A: The Xeon E3-1226 v3 wins all multi-core tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 4692 versus the i5-760's 4624, a 1.5% lead. The R20 multi-core result is 1970 vs 1942 (1.4% ahead), and R15 multi-core is 472 vs 466 (1.3% ahead).
Q: Does the Xeon support ECC memory?
A: Yes. The Xeon E3-1226 v3 has ECC memory support, while the Core i5-760 does not. This makes the Xeon suitable for error-correcting memory in server or workstation builds.
Q: Do these processors have integrated graphics?
A: The Xeon includes Intel HD P4600 integrated graphics. The i5-760 has no integrated graphics at all, so a discrete GPU is required for display output.
Q: What sockets do they use?
A: The Xeon uses Intel Socket 1150, while the i5-760 uses Intel Socket 1156. They are not interchangeable.
Q: What is the memory bandwidth of each?
A: The Xeon has a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. The i5-760's memory bandwidth is not listed in the database, but both support dual-channel DDR3.
Q: Which has a lower TDP?
A: The Xeon has a TDP of 84 watts, while the i5-760 has a TDP of 95 watts. The Xeon is more power-efficient despite being faster.
The Verdict
The data points to the Xeon E3-1226 v3 as the better performer in every benchmark recorded. It wins all six Cinebench tests, has a higher average score (1357 vs 1337), and a higher percentile ranking (36th vs 35th). It also offers ECC memory support, integrated graphics, a lower TDP, and a newer process node. The i5-760, on the other hand, is an older desktop part with no ECC, no iGPU, and a higher power draw.
For a server or workstation workload where ECC and integrated graphics are useful, the Xeon is the clear choice. For a legacy desktop build on Socket 1156, the i5-760 might be the only option, but the performance gap is small enough that the i5-760 remains competitive in raw compute. However, given that the Xeon is faster in every test and offers additional features, it is the superior processor on paper. The Xeon's launch MSRP was $213, a detail that adds context to its positioning, though the i5-760 has no listed MSRP.
Specification Differences
The two chips differ in several key specifications. The Xeon has a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz, while the i5-760 runs at 2.80 GHz base and 3.33 GHz boost. TDP is 84 watts for the Xeon and 95 watts for the i5-760. The Xeon uses Socket 1150, the i5-760 uses Socket 1156. The Xeon's process node is 22 nm, the i5-760's is 45 nm. Transistor count is 1,400 million for the Xeon versus 774 million for the i5-760, and die size is 160 mm² versus 296 mm². The Xeon has a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s; the i5-760's is not listed. ECC memory is supported on the Xeon but not on the i5-760. PCIe version is Gen 3 for the Xeon and Gen 2 for the i5-760. The Xeon includes Intel HD P4600 integrated graphics; the i5-760 has none. The Xeon targets the server/workstation segment, the i5-760 targets desktop. Release dates are 2014-05-10 for the Xeon and 2010-07-17 for the i5-760. The Xeon has a launch MSRP of $213; the i5-760 has no listed MSRP. The Xeon's part number is SR1R0, the i5-760's is SLBRP. Both have 4 cores, 4 threads, 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. Both support dual-channel DDR3.
Architecture Differences
The architectural gap is significant. The Xeon is built on Intel's Haswell architecture (codename Haswell-WS) using a 22 nm process, while the i5-760 uses the older Nehalem architecture (codename Lynnfield) on a 45 nm process. The Xeon packs 1,400 million transistors into a 160 mm² die, whereas the i5-760 has 774 million transistors on a 296 mm² die. This means the Xeon is denser and more power-efficient, which is reflected in its lower TDP (84W vs 95W) despite higher clock speeds.
The Xeon also brings a newer PCIe implementation: Gen 3 with 16 lanes, versus Gen 2 with 16 lanes on the i5-760. The Xeon supports ECC memory, a feature absent on the i5-760. Integrated graphics are present on the Xeon (Intel HD P4600) but not on the i5-760. The Xeon's memory bandwidth is rated at 25.6 GB/s, while the i5-760's is not specified in the database. The Xeon's generation is listed as "Xeon E3 (Haswell-WS)" and the i5-760's as "Core i5 (Lynnfield)". These architectural differences explain the Xeon's performance edge and its additional capabilities.
The Xeon's newer process node and architecture allow it to achieve higher clock speeds at lower power. The i5-760, despite being a 45 nm part, still manages to stay within a few percentage points of the Xeon in raw compute, which speaks to the efficiency of the Nehalem design. However, the Xeon's advantages in ECC, integrated graphics, and PCIe Gen 3 make it a more modern and versatile processor.