Intel Core i5-8500T vs Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 Comparison

The Intel Core i5-8500T and the Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 are both end-of-life server and desktop processors, yet they target entirely different segments of the market. The benchmark data shows a clear, consistent advantage for the Xeon part across every single test, but the size of that advantage and the architectural context are what matter for a purchasing decision. The i5-8500T is a low-power, modern 14 nm part, while the Xeon E5-2628 v3 is a higher-core-count, older 22 nm server chip with substantial platform differences. The recorded data indicates that the Xeon wins all six head-to-head comparisons, but the i5-8500T offers a more recent feature set and a dramatically lower power envelope.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 wins every benchmark recorded in the database. This is not a close contest in any category: it leads in both single-core and multi-core tests across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. The Xeon’s advantage in multi-threaded workloads is expected given its 8 cores and 16 threads versus the i5-8500T’s 6 cores and 6 threads. However, the Xeon also wins in single-core tests, which is more surprising given the i5-8500T’s higher boost clock of 3.50 GHz compared to the Xeon’s 3.00 GHz. The data shows the Xeon leads by roughly 8.5% in every test, including single-core, meaning the older Haswell architecture holds its own against the newer Coffee Lake design in this specific comparison.

The Intel Core i5-8500T does not win a single head-to-head benchmark. Its only clear advantage is in power consumption: it has a 35 W TDP versus the Xeon’s 85 W TDP. For scenarios where heat output and electricity draw are the primary constraints, the i5-8500T is the more efficient choice despite losing on raw performance. The i5-8500T also includes integrated graphics (UHD 630), whereas the Xeon has no integrated graphics, so a system with the i5-8500T can operate without a discrete GPU. The Xeon, by contrast, requires a separate graphics solution.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and physical platforms. The Intel Core i5-8500T is built on Coffee Lake, a 14 nm process, while the Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 uses Haswell-EP on a 22 nm process. The i5-8500T is a desktop part for Intel Socket 1151, whereas the Xeon E5-2628 v3 is a server or workstation chip for Intel Socket 2011-3. The Xeon’s die is much larger at 356 mm² with 2,600 million transistors, while the database does not record a die size or transistor count for the i5-8500T.

Cache configurations differ significantly. Both have 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, but the shared L3 cache is where the gap widens: the i5-8500T has 9 MB shared, while the Xeon E5-2628 v3 has 20 MB shared. The Xeon also supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with a theoretical bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s, versus the i5-8500T’s dual-channel implementation at 42.7 GB/s. Memory capacity and bandwidth favor the Xeon. The Xeon supports ECC memory, which the i5-8500T does not. PCIe lane counts also differ: the Xeon provides 40 lanes (CPU only) versus the i5-8500T’s 16 lanes, making the Xeon more suitable for systems with multiple GPUs, NVMe drives, or other expansion cards.

The i5-8500T has a newer release date of April 2018, while the Xeon E5-2628 v3 was released in September 2014. The Xeon has a higher base clock of 2.50 GHz but a lower boost clock of 3.00 GHz compared to the i5-8500T’s 2.10 GHz base and 3.50 GHz boost. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Xeon E5-2628 v3 wins all six recorded head-to-head benchmarks. The smallest margin is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Xeon scores 102 against the i5-8500T’s 93, a delta of -8.8%. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 723 versus 662, an -8.4% delta. The pattern repeats in R20: the Xeon scores 3015 multi-core and 425 single-core, against the i5-8500T’s 2759 and 389, respectively, each showing a -8.5% delta. In Cinebench R23, the Xeon scores 7179 multi-core and 1013 single-core, versus the i5-8500T’s 6571 and 927, again at -8.5% for both.

These deltas are remarkably consistent across all tests, suggesting the Xeon’s advantage is structural rather than workload-specific. The i5-8500T’s higher boost clock was not enough to close the gap in single-core tests, and its fewer cores and threads left it behind in multi-core tests. The Geekbench results are not part of the head-to-head set, but the database records the i5-8500T at 4293 multi-core and 1187 single-core. The Xeon has no Geekbench scores recorded, so no direct comparison is possible for that suite.

The average benchmark scores place both chips at the 46th percentile among all CPUs. The i5-8500T has an average score of 2110, with nearest rivals including the Intel Core i5-8259U (2108, delta 0.1%) and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400G (2101, delta 0.4%). The Xeon E5-2628 v3 averages 2076, with rivals such as the Intel Xeon W-2123 (2079, delta -0.1%) and the Intel Core i3-9350KF (2082, delta -0.3%). Despite the Xeon winning the head-to-head, its average score is lower than the i5-8500T’s because the Xeon lacks the Geekbench entries that boost the i5’s average.

The Verdict

The data points to a single conclusion: the Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 is the faster processor in every benchmark measured. If raw performance is the only criterion, the Xeon is the clear choice, offering roughly 8.5% higher scores across all Cinebench versions. Its 16 threads and 20 MB of L3 cache, combined with quad-channel memory and 40 PCIe lanes, make it a stronger foundation for multi-threaded, memory-intensive, or expansion-heavy workloads. The support for ECC memory further positions it for server or workstation reliability.

The Intel Core i5-8500T is not without merit, but its advantages are not in benchmark scores. Its 35 W TDP makes it suitable for compact, low-power builds or fanless cooling solutions, where the Xeon’s 85 W TDP would be a liability. The integrated UHD 630 graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU in basic systems. The i5-8500T also uses a more modern 14 nm process, which typically correlates with better power efficiency per core, and its newer release date means it supports a newer platform generation.

For a user prioritizing performance, the Xeon E5-2628 v3 wins outright. For a user prioritizing low power draw, integrated graphics, or a smaller socket footprint, the i5-8500T is the practical option. The database shows no scenario where the i5-8500T outperforms the Xeon in compute tasks, so the decision rests entirely on non-benchmark factors like power, platform, and memory channel requirements.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 wins all multi-core tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 7179 versus the i5-8500T’s 6571, an -8.5% delta in favor of the Xeon.

Q: Does the i5-8500T win any benchmark?

A: No. The Xeon E5-2628 v3 wins all six head-to-head benchmarks, with deltas ranging from -8.4% to -8.8% in favor of the Xeon.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption?

A: The i5-8500T has a TDP of 35 W, while the Xeon E5-2628 v3 has a TDP of 85 W. The i5-8500T uses less than half the power budget.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Xeon E5-2628 v3 supports ECC memory, while the i5-8500T does not.

Q: How do their memory bandwidths compare?

A: The Xeon E5-2628 v3 has a quad-channel memory bus with 68.3 GB/s bandwidth, while the i5-8500T has a dual-channel bus with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Do both processors have integrated graphics?

A: No. The i5-8500T includes Intel UHD 630 graphics, while the Xeon E5-2628 v3 has no integrated graphics.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-8500T | Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 |

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

| Cores | 6 | 8 |

| Threads | 6 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.50 GHz | 3.00 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 85 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | Intel Socket 2011-3 |

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Haswell |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 22 nm |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 2,600 million |

| Die Size | Not recorded | 356 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 9 MB (shared) | 20 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Quad-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 42.7 GB/s | 68.3 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | false | true |

| PCIe Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 16 Lanes | Gen 3, 40 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD 630 | None |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Release Date | 2018-04-01 | 2014-09-07 |