Intel Core i5-8269U vs Intel Xeon E5-1620 v3 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clean sweep in favor of the Intel Core i5-8269U across every Cinebench test in the comparison set. The margins are narrow but consistent, with the mobile part leading by 2.4% in Cinebench R15 multi-core (609 versus 595), 1.2% in R15 single-core (85 versus 84), and 2.3% in R20 multi-core (2538 versus 2482). The R20 single-core result follows the same pattern, with the i5-8269U scoring 358 against the Xeon E5-1620 v3's 350, a 2.3% advantage.

The largest relative gap appears in the R15 single-core test, though at 1.2% it is still a modest difference. In the R23 suite, the i5-8269U posts 6044 multi-core and 853 single-core, while the Xeon E5-1620 v3 records 5910 and 834 respectively. Both R23 deltas sit at 2.3%. Across all six head-to-head metrics, the i5-8269U wins every one, giving it a 6-0 record in this comparison.

The average benchmark score reinforces the trend. The i5-8269U carries an average of 1748, placing it at the 41st percentile among all CPUs in the database. The Xeon E5-1620 v3 averages 1709, which lands at the 40th percentile. The i5-8269U's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 3200GE (average 1750, a 0.1% deficit for the Intel part) and the Intel Core i7-980X (average 1746, a 0.1% lead). The Xeon E5-1620 v3 sits alongside the Intel Xeon E3-1265L v4 at an identical average score of 1709, with no delta between them, and trails the Intel Core i7-990X by 0.2%. In practical terms, the two CPUs occupy nearly the same performance tier in the database, with the i5-8269U holding a slight edge in every measured test.

Architecture Differences

The architectural split between these two Intel processors is substantial, reflecting their very different design targets. The i5-8269U uses Kaby Lake architecture on a 14 nm process, fabricated by Intel, with a die size of 123 mm². It is built for the mobile segment, fits Intel BGA 1356, and carries a 28 W TDP. The Xeon E5-1620 v3 belongs to the Haswell-EP family, uses a 22 nm process, packs 2,600 million transistors on a 356 mm² die, and targets the server and workstation market through Intel Socket 2011-3. Its TDP is 140 W, five times the mobile part's figure, which reflects a desktop-class power envelope rather than a portable one.

Both chips share the same core and thread configuration: 4 cores and 8 threads. Each has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The shared L3 cache differs, with the i5-8269U offering 6 MB shared while the Xeon E5-1620 v3 provides 10 MB shared. Clock behavior also diverges. The i5-8269U has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz, while the Xeon E5-1620 v3 runs at 3.50 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost. The Xeon's boost is only 0.10 GHz above its base, a narrow frequency ceiling for a 4-core part.

Memory support sees both platforms adopt DDR4, but the Xeon E5-1620 v3 adds a quad-channel memory bus and a recorded memory bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s. The i5-8269U lists DDR4 support without a specified memory bus or bandwidth figure. ECC memory is supported on the Xeon E5-1620 v3 but not on the i5-8269U. The Xeon also exposes Gen 3 PCIe with 40 lanes from the CPU, while the i5-8269U has no PCIe specification recorded. Integrated graphics differ as well: the i5-8269U includes Iris Pro Plus graphics, whereas the Xeon E5-1620 v3 has none.

Production status separates these parts further. The i5-8269U remains active, with a release date of 2018-04-04. The Xeon E5-1620 v3 is end-of-life and was released on 2014-09-07. Both are multiplier-locked. The Xeon's part number is recorded as QGZYSR20P, while the i5-8269U has no part number listed. The i5-8269U belongs to the Core i5 (Kaby Lake-U Refresh) generation, and the Xeon E5-1620 v3 comes from the Xeon E5 (Haswell-EP) generation.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to the Intel Core i5-8269U as the faster part in Cinebench workloads. It wins all six head-to-head tests, with multi-core deltas of 2.4% in R15 and 2.3% in R20 and R23, plus single-core deltas ranging from 1.2% to 2.3%. Its average score of 1748 also surpasses the Xeon E5-1620 v3's 1709 by roughly 2.3%. The i5-8269U achieves this with a 28 W TDP, a newer 14 nm process, a higher boost clock of 4.20 GHz, and a smaller 123 mm² die. For workloads that rely on Cinebench-style rendering, the i5-8269U is the clear choice from the data.

The Xeon E5-1620 v3, however, is not without reasons to exist. It supports ECC memory, a feature entirely absent from the i5-8269U, and it offers a quad-channel DDR4 memory bus with 68.3 GB/s of bandwidth. It also provides Gen 3 PCIe with 40 lanes from the CPU, which the i5-8269U does not specify. Its 10 MB of shared L3 cache is larger than the i5-8269U's 6 MB, and its 3.50 GHz base clock is well above the mobile part's 2.60 GHz. The Xeon targets server and workstation platforms through Socket 2011-3, with a 140 W TDP that assumes a robust power delivery system.

Choosing between them depends on the platform requirements. The i5-8269U suits mobile systems where power efficiency and a compact BGA package matter, and it delivers slightly better Cinebench scores. The Xeon E5-1620 v3 fits workstation or server builds that need ECC memory, high memory bandwidth, and abundant PCIe lanes, accepting a modest performance deficit in return. The database shows the i5-8269U as the performance leader in this specific benchmark set, but the Xeon's platform features cover capabilities the i5-8269U does not offer.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher multi-core Cinebench R23 score?

A: The Intel Core i5-8269U scores 6044 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Intel Xeon E5-1620 v3 scores 5910, a 2.3% lead for the i5-8269U.

Q: What is the difference in single-core performance between the two?

A: The i5-8269U leads in every single-core test. In R15 it scores 85 versus 84 (1.2% ahead), in R20 it scores 358 versus 350 (2.3% ahead), and in R23 it scores 853 versus 834 (2.3% ahead).

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 8 threads. They also share 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core.

Q: Does the Xeon E5-1620 v3 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon E5-1620 v3 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i5-8269U does not support ECC memory.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i5-8269U has a TDP of 28 W, while the Intel Xeon E5-1620 v3 has a TDP of 140 W.

Q: Which CPU has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i5-8269U includes Iris Pro Plus integrated graphics. The Intel Xeon E5-1620 v3 has no integrated graphics.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-8269U wins in pure Cinebench performance. Every recorded benchmark, multi-core and single-core alike, favors the mobile part. The margins range from 1.2% to 2.4%, which is not a dramatic gap, but it is consistent across all six tests. Its boost clock of 4.20 GHz, well above the Xeon's 3.60 GHz, likely contributes to its single-core advantage. The 14 nm process and 28 W TDP also make it the more power-efficient option, which is relevant for compact or thermally constrained systems. Its active production status means it remains available for new designs.

The Intel Xeon E5-1620 v3 wins on platform capabilities rather than raw Cinebench scores. It brings ECC memory support, which the i5-8269U lacks, and a quad-channel memory bus with 68.3 GB/s of bandwidth. Its Gen 3 PCIe implementation with 40 lanes from the CPU provides substantial expansion headroom for workstation peripherals, storage controllers, or multiple GPUs. The larger 10 MB shared L3 cache could benefit workloads with high cache reuse, although the benchmark data does not isolate that scenario. The 3.50 GHz base clock also gives the Xeon a stronger sustained frequency floor for workloads that do not boost well, though its boost ceiling is the lower one at 3.60 GHz.

For a mobile user running Cinebench workloads, the i5-8269U is the winner without qualification. For a server or workstation build that needs ECC memory and high memory bandwidth, the Xeon E5-1620 v3 is the appropriate pick, even with lower Cinebench scores. The data does not show any test where the Xeon outperforms the i5-8269U, so any decision in its favor must rest on the platform features listed in the database, not on measured performance in these benchmarks.