Intel Core i5-8500T vs Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The Intel Core i5-8500T has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The i5-8500T wins on raw core count, but the Xeon uses hyper-threading to reach the same total thread count of 8 versus the i5's 6.

Q: What is the benchmark percentile ranking for each CPU?

A: Both processors sit at the 46th percentile among all CPUs in the database. The i5-8500T has an average benchmark score of 2110, and the Xeon E3-1585 v5 averages 2067, a difference of roughly 2% in favor of the i5.

Q: Which chip has the higher boost clock?

A: The Xeon E3-1585 v5 boosts to 3.90 GHz, while the i5-8500T boosts to 3.50 GHz. The Xeon also starts at a higher base clock of 3.50 GHz versus 2.10 GHz for the i5.

Q: Does the Xeon support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon E3-1585 v5 supports ECC memory and lists DDR3 and DDR4 memory support. The i5-8500T does not support ECC and only supports DDR4.

Q: What socket does each processor use?

A: The i5-8500T uses Intel Socket 1151, while the Xeon E3-1585 v5 uses Intel BGA 1440. This means the Xeon is a soldered, non-upgradeable platform part, whereas the i5 fits a standard desktop socket.

Q: Which chip has the larger L3 cache?

A: The i5-8500T has 9 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Xeon E3-1585 v5 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache. Both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i5-8500T is built on the Coffee Lake architecture, while the Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 uses Skylake-H. Both are manufactured on Intel's 14 nm process, but they target different market segments. The i5-8500T is a desktop part, whereas the Xeon E3-1585 v5 is a server/workstation chip, and that distinction shapes many of the differences in features and behavior.

The i5-8500T provides 6 physical cores without hyper-threading, giving it 6 threads. The Xeon E3-1585 v5 provides 4 physical cores with hyper-threading, giving it 8 threads. The core layout is different, and the total thread counts are close, but not identical. The i5 has more physical cores, while the Xeon has more logical threads.

Clock behavior also differs significantly. The i5-8500T has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.50 GHz. The Xeon E3-1585 v5 has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz. The Xeon is clocked much higher at base, which helps it in single-threaded workloads, and it also has a higher ceiling at boost.

Cache structures are similar in per-core terms, with 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core on both chips. The shared L3 pool is slightly larger on the i5-8500T at 9 MB versus 8 MB on the Xeon. The Xeon compensates with higher clocks, but the i5 carries a modest cache advantage.

Memory support differs in both type and bandwidth. The i5-8500T supports DDR4 only, while the Xeon E3-1585 v5 supports both DDR3 and DDR4. The i5 has a memory bandwidth rating of 42.7 GB/s, while the Xeon is rated at 34.1 GB/s. The i5 offers higher theoretical bandwidth, but the Xeon adds ECC support, which is a key feature for workstation reliability.

The integrated graphics are also different. The i5-8500T includes UHD 630, while the Xeon includes Iris Pro Graphics P580. The Xeon's graphics solution is a more capable tier, consistent with its workstation positioning.

The power envelopes are far apart. The i5-8500T has a 35 W TDP, while the Xeon E3-1585 v5 has a 65 W TDP. The Xeon consumes nearly twice the power budget, which aligns with its higher clocks and Iris Pro graphics.

The Xeon E3-1585 v5 also carries a known transistor count of 2,300 million and a die size of 171 mm². The i5-8500T does not have transistor or die size figures recorded in the database. The Xeon was released on 2016-05-30, while the i5-8500T came later on 2018-04-01.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 wins every recorded benchmark comparison between the two chips. In all six head-to-head tests, the Xeon posts higher scores. The i5-8500T does not win a single benchmark in the comparison set. That makes the Xeon the stronger performer across the board in the recorded data, despite having fewer physical cores.

The Xeon's advantage comes from its higher clock speeds. With a base clock of 3.50 GHz versus 2.10 GHz on the i5, the Xeon starts at a much higher frequency. The boost clock of 3.90 GHz also beats the i5's 3.50 GHz. This clock advantage is enough to overcome the i5's extra two physical cores and larger L3 cache.

The i5-8500T still has some structural advantages that matter in specific contexts. It has 6 physical cores, which can help in workloads that scale with core count rather than thread count. It also has a higher memory bandwidth rating at 42.7 GB/s, and a lower TDP of 35 W, which makes it easier to cool and more efficient per watt.

The Xeon wins on pure throughput in the database benchmarks. For users who prioritize maximum performance in Cinebench workloads, the Xeon is the clear choice. The i5-8500T, however, offers a lower power draw and a desktop socket, which may appeal to builders looking for a quieter or more power-efficient system.

For memory flexibility, the Xeon supports DDR3 and DDR4, plus ECC memory. That makes it suitable for workstation tasks where data integrity matters. The i5 is limited to non-ECC DDR4.

The integrated graphics also split the use cases. The Xeon's Iris Pro Graphics P580 is a stronger iGPU tier, which is useful for systems without a discrete GPU. The i5's UHD 630 is a capable basic graphics solution, but the Xeon's graphics are positioned higher.

Specification Differences

The i5-8500T has 6 cores and 6 threads. The Xeon E3-1585 v5 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The base clock differs: 2.10 GHz on the i5 versus 3.50 GHz on the Xeon. The boost clock differs: 3.50 GHz on the i5 versus 3.90 GHz on the Xeon. The TDP differs: 35 W on the i5 versus 65 W on the Xeon.

The socket is different: Intel Socket 1151 for the i5, Intel BGA 1440 for the Xeon. The architecture names differ: Coffee Lake for the i5, Skylake for the Xeon. The codenames differ: Coffee Lake versus Skylake-H. The process node is the same at 14 nm for both.

The Xeon has a documented transistor count of 2,300 million and a die size of 171 mm². The i5 does not have those figures recorded. The L3 cache differs: 9 MB shared on the i5 versus 8 MB shared on the Xeon. The L1 and L2 caches are the same at 64 KB and 256 KB per core.

Memory support differs: DDR4 only for the i5, DDR3 and DDR4 for the Xeon. The memory bus is dual-channel on both. Memory bandwidth differs: 42.7 GB/s on the i5 versus 34.1 GB/s on the Xeon. ECC support differs: false on the i5, true on the Xeon.

The PCIe configuration is identical at Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics differ: UHD 630 on the i5 versus Iris Pro Graphics P580 on the Xeon. The market segment differs: Desktop for the i5, Server/Workstation for the Xeon. Both are end-of-life products.

The release dates differ: 2018-04-01 for the i5, 2016-05-30 for the Xeon. The i5 has no launch MSRP recorded. The Xeon has a launch MSRP of $556. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Xeon E3-1585 v5 leads in every Cinebench comparison. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 720 against 662 for the i5-8500T, a delta of -8.1% from the i5's perspective. The same pattern appears in R15 single-core, where the Xeon scores 101 and the i5 scores 93, a delta of -7.9%.

In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the Xeon scores 3001 versus 2759 for the i5, again a delta of -8.1%. In R20 single-core, the Xeon scores 423 versus 389 for the i5, a delta of -8%. The margins are consistent, hovering around 8% in favor of the Xeon across both multi-core and single-core tests.

Cinebench R23 shows the same story. In R23 multi-core, the Xeon scores 7146 and the i5 scores 6571, a delta of -8%. In R23 single-core, the Xeon scores 1008 and the i5 scores 927, a delta of -8%. The Xeon holds a steady 8% advantage in the R23 generation as well.

The Geekbench results add context. The i5-8500T has Geekbench multi-core and single-core scores of 4293 and 1187. The Xeon E3-1585 v5 does not have Geekbench results recorded in the database, so no direct comparison is available there. The average benchmark scores, however, show the i5 at 2110 and the Xeon at 2067.

The Xeon's wins are consistent but narrow, never exceeding 8.1% in the measured tests. The i5's losses are all within about 8.1%. The i5 has zero wins in the head-to-head set. The Xeon's performance profile is consistently ahead in the recorded data.

Across the Cinebench suite, the Xeon leads by roughly 8% in both single-core and multi-core tests. That is a meaningful margin in rendering and content creation workloads. The i5-8500T does not close the gap behind in the same gap close in the Cinebench.

The Xeon E3-1585 v5 leads. That is a solid, repeatable result.

The Verdict

The data is clear: the Intel Xeon E3-1585-8500T does not win a single benchmark in the comparison set. The Xeon E3-1585 v5 wins all six head-to-head tests, with margins between 7.9% and 8.1% in the Xeon favor. The Xeon's higher base clock of 3.50 GHz and boost clock of 3.90 GHz, combined with 4 cores and 8 threads, give it a consistent performance edge in the Cinebench suite.

The i5-8500T.

The i5-8500T has 6 cores and 6 threads, a lower 35 W TDP, a larger 9 MB L3 cache, higher memory bandwidth at 42.7 GB/s, and a desktop socket. The Xeon E3-1585 v5 has 4 cores, 8 threads, ECC memory support, Iris Pro Graphics P580, and a 65 W TDP.

The Xeon is the better choice for maximum performance in the recorded benchmarks. The i5-8500T is the better choice for lower power draw and a standard Socket 1151 platform. The Xeon's launch MSRP was $556, and it targets server/workstation use. The i5-8500T has no recorded launch MSRP and targets desktop use.

Both chips are end-of-life, so the decision is about what fits the system. The Xeon E3-1585 v5 is a strong performer for threaded and single-threaded workloads, but its BGA 1440 socket means it is not a drop-in upgrade. The i5-8500T offers a lower power footprint and more physical cores, but it loses every benchmark comparison in the database.

For a builder prioritizing performance, the Xeon E3-1585 v5 is the data-backed winner. For a builder prioritizing efficiency and socket flexibility, the i5-8500T has clear structural advantages, even if its benchmark scores trail. The recorded measurements show the Xeon ahead, but the i5-8500T remains a sensible pick for low-power desktop builds.