Intel Core i5-8305G vs Intel Xeon E5-1630 v4 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear and consistent picture: the Intel Xeon E5-1630 v4 wins every single head-to-head comparison against the Intel Core i5-8305G. Across the six Cinebench tests recorded in the database, the Xeon's lead is remarkably uniform, hovering around 12.6% in the majority of tests.

Starting with Cinebench R15, the Xeon E5-1630 v4 scores 651 points in multi-core, while the Core i5-8305G manages 578 points. That is a 12.6% advantage for the Xeon. In single-core R15, the Xeon posts 91 points versus 81 points for the i5-8305G, a 12.3% lead. These are not marginal wins; they represent a consistent performance tier gap between the two processors.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds exactly. The Xeon scores 2714 in multi-core, and the i5-8305G scores 2410. The delta is again 12.6%. In single-core R20, the Xeon's 383 points beats the i5's 340 points by that same 12.6% margin. The consistency of these deltas across different workload types suggests a fundamental clock-speed and architecture efficiency advantage, not a workload-specific quirk.

Cinebench R23 confirms the trend with the largest absolute numbers. The Xeon E5-1630 v4 achieves 6464 points in multi-core, while the Core i5-8305G reaches 5739 points. That is a 12.6% difference. In single-core R23, the Xeon scores 912 points versus 810 points, again a 12.6% gap. The Xeon wins all six head-to-head tests, with the i5-8305G recording zero wins in this comparison.

Interestingly, the average benchmark scores in the database tell a slightly different story when placed in the broader context. The Xeon E5-1630 v4 has an average benchmark score of 1869, while the i5-8305G sits at 1831. This is a much smaller difference than the Cinebench head-to-head suggests, because the i5-8305G also has Geekbench scores recorded in its profile that pull its average up. The Xeon's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-9350K at an average score of 1867 (0.1% behind), the Intel Core i5-1035G4 at 1861 (0.4% behind), and the Intel Xeon E3-1545M v5 at 1879 (0.5% ahead). For the i5-8305G, its nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen 5 4600U at 1832 (0% delta), the Intel Xeon E5-2608L v3 at 1830 (0% delta), and the Intel Xeon D-1537 at 1830 (0.1% ahead). Both processors land in the 42nd percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy a similar overall performance class despite the i5-8305G's lower raw Cinebench scores.

The practical takeaway from the head-to-head data is that the Xeon E5-1630 v4 is consistently faster in CPU rendering workloads, and the margin is stable across every test version. If you are choosing between these two strictly on CPU compute performance, the Xeon is the clear winner in this benchmark suite.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the recorded benchmark data, the Intel Xeon E5-1630 v4 is the faster processor in every measured workload. It wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests with margins between 12.3% and 12.6%. The database shows that the Xeon is the pick for anyone who prioritizes raw CPU rendering performance, multi-threaded compute, or single-thread responsiveness in Cinebench-type applications.

The Intel Core i5-8305G, however, should not be dismissed outright. It carries integrated Radeon RX Vega M GL graphics, which the Xeon completely lacks. If the use case requires a compact system with graphics capability built into the CPU package, the i5-8305G is the only option of the two that can provide that. The Xeon E5-1630 v4 requires a separate discrete graphics card.

The Xeon also has a significant power envelope difference. Its TDP is 140 watts, while the i5-8305G is rated at 65 watts. That makes the i5-8305G a much more power-efficient choice for mobile or compact systems, even at the cost of performance. The Xeon is a desktop part on Intel Socket 2011-3, while the i5-8305G is a mobile part on Intel BGA 2270, so they are not physically interchangeable.

Who should pick which? The data suggests the Xeon E5-1630 v4 for a desktop workstation where maximum CPU throughput is the goal and power consumption is not the primary concern. The i5-8305G for a mobile or compact build where integrated graphics and lower power draw matter more than the 12.6% performance deficit. The Xeon also supports ECC memory and quad-channel DDR4, features that the i5-8305G does not offer, which may be decisive for certain professional workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core Cinebench tests?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1630 v4 wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests. It scores 651 in R15, 2714 in R20, and 6464 in R23, compared to the Core i5-8305G's 578, 2410, and 5739 respectively. The margin is 12.6% in each test.

Q: Does the Core i5-8305G win any benchmark against the Xeon?

A: No. In the recorded head-to-head data, the Core i5-8305G has zero wins. The Xeon E5-1630 v4 wins all six Cinebench tests, including both single-core and multi-core variants across R15, R20, and R23.

Q: What is the difference in their average benchmark scores?

A: The Xeon E5-1630 v4 has an average benchmark score of 1869, while the Core i5-8305G has an average of 1831. This is a much smaller gap than the head-to-head Cinebench results, partly because the i5-8305G has additional Geekbench scores recorded that raise its average.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Xeon E5-1630 v4 supports ECC memory, while the Core i5-8305G does not. This is a key differentiator for systems requiring error-correcting memory in professional or server-like environments.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Core i5-8305G includes integrated Radeon RX Vega M GL graphics. The Xeon E5-1630 v4 has no integrated graphics at all, so it requires a separate discrete GPU for display output.

Q: How do their power requirements compare?

A: The Xeon E5-1630 v4 has a TDP of 140 watts, while the Core i5-8305G is rated at 65 watts. The i5-8305G consumes less than half the power budget, making it more suitable for thermally constrained or battery-powered systems.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every physical and platform specification. The Xeon E5-1630 v4 has a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, while the Core i5-8305G runs at 2.80 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost. The Xeon's higher clocks directly explain its consistent performance advantage.

The Xeon is a desktop part on Intel Socket 2011-3, with a TDP of 140 watts. The Core i5-8305G is a mobile part on Intel BGA 2270, with a TDP of 65 watts. The Xeon supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, while the i5-8305G has no recorded memory bus or bandwidth data in the database. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, which the i5-8305G does not.

PCIe connectivity differs as well. The Xeon provides Gen 3 with 40 lanes from the CPU, while the i5-8305G has no recorded PCIe data. The Xeon has a launch MSRP of $406, while the i5-8305G has no recorded launch price. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The Xeon's part number is SR2PF, while the i5-8305G has no recorded part number.

The Xeon was released on 2016-06-19 and is marked as end-of-life, while the i5-8305G was released on 2018-01-31 and remains active in production. The Xeon's market segment is Desktop, and the i5-8305G is classified as Mobile.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 14 nm process and use 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The similarities end there. The Xeon E5-1630 v4 uses the Broadwell architecture with the codename Broadwell-EP, while the Core i5-8305G uses Kaby Lake with the codename Kaby Lake G. These are different microarchitectures from different generations.

The Xeon has 10 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-8305G has only 6 MB of shared L3 cache. That 4 MB difference in cache capacity contributes to the Xeon's performance edge in cache-sensitive workloads. The Xeon also has a larger die size at 246 mm² and contains 3,400 million transistors, while the i5-8305G has no recorded die size or transistor count in the database.

The Xeon is part of the Xeon E5 (Broadwell-EP) generation, whereas the i5-8305G belongs to the Core i5 (Kaby Lake-G) generation. The Xeon's foundry is Intel, and its process node is 14 nm, matching the i5-8305G's 14 nm process. The Xeon supports DDR4 memory with quad-channel configuration and ECC capability, while the i5-8305G supports DDR4 but has no recorded memory bus or ECC support.

The most significant architectural difference is the integrated graphics. The Core i5-8305G includes Radeon RX Vega M GL graphics, a feature that the Xeon completely lacks. This makes the i5-8305G a system-on-chip style solution for compact devices, while the Xeon is a pure CPU that relies on external graphics.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E5-1630 v4 wins in every CPU rendering benchmark recorded. It is the superior choice for multi-threaded workloads such as 3D rendering, video encoding, and scientific computation where Cinebench scores are representative. Its 12.6% lead in multi-core tests, combined with a 12.3% to 12.6% lead in single-core tests, makes it the winner for both heavily threaded and lightly threaded applications. The Xeon also wins on memory bandwidth with its quad-channel configuration and 76.8 GB/s throughput, and it wins for ECC memory support, which is critical for data integrity in server-like workloads. Its 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes provide more expansion headroom for multiple GPUs or high-speed storage.

The Intel Core i5-8305G wins in power efficiency. Its 65 watt TDP is less than half the Xeon's 140 watt TDP, making it the better choice for compact, thermally constrained, or battery-powered systems. It wins on integrated graphics capability, as the Radeon RX Vega M GL provides display output and GPU acceleration without a separate card, which is impossible with the Xeon. The i5-8305G also wins on production status, as it remains active while the Xeon is end-of-life, and it has a later release date, meaning it may be easier to source for new builds. For a small-form-factor laptop or an all-in-one system where CPU performance is secondary to power draw and graphics, the i5-8305G is the practical pick. For a desktop workstation where raw compute and memory features dominate, the Xeon E5-1630 v4 is the clear winner.