Intel Core i7-10810U vs Intel Xeon E3-1535M v5 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-10810U and the Intel Xeon E3-1535M v5 are both end-of-life mobile processors from Intel, but they target very different segments of the market. The i7-10810U is a Comet Lake-U part designed for thin-and-light laptops, while the Xeon E3-1535M v5 is a Skylake-H workstation chip aimed at professional mobile workstations. The recorded data shows that these two CPUs are remarkably close in raw benchmark scores, despite their architectural and market differences.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite reveals a consistent, albeit narrow, advantage for the Intel Core i7-10810U across all six recorded tests. In the Cinebench R15 multicore test, the i7-10810U scores 686 points against the Xeon E3-1535M v5’s 677 points, a 1.3% lead. The single-core R15 result is nearly identical, with the i7-10810U posting 96 points versus 95 points, a 1.1% edge. These margins are small enough that they could be considered noise in a single run, but the pattern holds across every benchmark.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the i7-10810U again takes the lead. Its multicore score of 2862 tops the Xeon’s 2824, a 1.3% difference. In single-core R20, the i7-10810U scores 404 versus 398, a 1.5% margin. This is actually the largest percentage gap in the entire head-to-head comparison, showing that the Comet Lake chip’s higher boost clock is giving it a slight edge in lightly threaded workloads.

The Cinebench R23 results continue the trend. The i7-10810U scores 6816 in multicore, while the Xeon E3-1535M v5 scores 6726, a 1.3% lead. In single-core R23, the i7-10810U’s 962 points beat the Xeon’s 949 by 1.4%. The i7-10810U wins all six head-to-head benchmarks, with the Xeon E3-1535M v5 failing to secure a single victory in the recorded data.

What is more interesting than the raw wins is the consistency of the margins. The smallest gap is 1.1% in R15 single-core, and the largest is 1.5% in R20 single-core. The multicore deltas are all 1.3%, which is remarkable given that the i7-10810U has 6 cores and 12 threads while the Xeon E3-1535M v5 has only 4 cores and 8 threads. The Xeon’s higher base clock of 2.9 GHz versus 1.1 GHz helps it stay competitive in multicore tests, as does its 45 W TDP compared to the i7-10810U’s 25 W TDP. The Xeon is clearly using more power to achieve near-identical results.

The average benchmark scores from the database place these two CPUs in the same percentile. The i7-10810U has an average benchmark score of 1971, while the Xeon E3-1535M v5 sits at 1945. Both are in the 44th percentile of all CPUs tracked in the database. The nearest rivals for the i7-10810U include the Intel Xeon E3-1245 v5 with an average score of 1973, which is 0.1% higher, and the AMD Ryzen 3 2300X at 1968, which is 0.1% lower. For the Xeon E3-1535M v5, the closest competitors are the Intel Xeon E3-1230 v5 at 1947, just 0.1% above, and the Intel Core i5-1035G7 at 1948, also 0.1% above. These figures show that both CPUs are firmly mid-pack performers in the broader database, with neither offering a meaningful performance advantage over the other.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-10810U has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Xeon E3-1535M v5 has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: How much faster is the i7-10810U in single-core Cinebench R23?

A: The i7-10810U scores 962 in Cinebench R23 single-core, while the Xeon E3-1535M v5 scores 949. This gives the i7-10810U a 1.4% lead.

Q: Does the Xeon E3-1535M v5 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon E3-1535M v5 supports ECC memory, while the i7-10810U does not.

Q: What is the difference in TDP between these two processors?

A: The i7-10810U has a TDP of 25 W, while the Xeon E3-1535M v5 has a TDP of 45 W.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The i7-10810U has a boost clock of 4.9 GHz, while the Xeon E3-1535M v5 has a boost clock of 3.7 GHz.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each CPU?

A: The i7-10810U has an average benchmark score of 1971, and the Xeon E3-1535M v5 has an average benchmark score of 1945.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two chips is significant. The i7-10810U is built on the Comet Lake architecture, specifically the Comet Lake-U codename, and belongs to the Core 10th Gen family. The Xeon E3-1535M v5 uses the Skylake architecture with the Skylake-H codename and sits in the Xeon E3 lineup. Both are fabricated on Intel’s 14 nm process node, but that is where the similarity ends in terms of design intent.

The i7-10810U is a low-power mobile part with a TDP of 25 W, designed for ultrabooks and mainstream laptops. Its base clock is just 1.1 GHz, but it boosts up to 4.9 GHz, which explains its competitive single-core performance. The Xeon E3-1535M v5, on the other hand, is a 45 W part aimed at mobile workstations. Its base clock is much higher at 2.9 GHz, but its boost clock tops out at 3.7 GHz. The higher base clock compensates for the lower core count in sustained workloads, which is why the multicore scores are so close.

The cache layouts also differ. The i7-10810U has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Xeon E3-1535M v5 has the same 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, but only 8 MB of shared L3 cache. Despite having fewer cores, the Xeon’s smaller L3 cache puts it at a slight disadvantage in workloads that benefit from larger shared caches. The i7-10810U’s extra 4 MB of L3 cache is likely a contributing factor to its consistent benchmark wins.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The i7-10810U features UHD Graphics, while the Xeon E3-1535M v5 comes with HD Graphics P530. The database records show both are present, but no performance metrics are provided for the iGPU. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the i7-10810U, and reports a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, a figure not listed for the i7-10810U. The Xeon’s transistor count is listed at 2,300 million with a die size of 122 mm², while no such figures exist for the i7-10810U in the database.

Specification Differences

The specification sheets for these two processors show clear divergences. The i7-10810U has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Xeon E3-1535M v5 has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are starkly different: the i7-10810U runs at 1.1 GHz, and the Xeon runs at 2.9 GHz. Boost clocks reverse the order, with the i7-10810U reaching 4.9 GHz and the Xeon topping out at 3.7 GHz. TDP is another major split, with the i7-10810U rated at 25 W and the Xeon at 45 W.

Both CPUs use the Intel BGA 1440 socket, but their architectures and codenames differ. The i7-10810U is Comet Lake with the Comet Lake-U codename, while the Xeon E3-1535M v5 is Skylake with the Skylake-H codename. The process node is identical at 14 nm, and both are made by Intel. The L3 cache differs, with the i7-10810U holding 12 MB shared and the Xeon holding 8 MB shared. Memory support is the same in terms of types: both support DDR3 and DDR4 with dual-channel buses. The Xeon, however, lists a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s and supports ECC memory, while the i7-10810U does not support ECC and has no recorded bandwidth figure.

PCIe support is another differentiator. The i7-10810U has PCIe Gen 3, and the Xeon E3-1535M v5 has PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes for the CPU only. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics on the i7-10810U versus HD Graphics P530 on the Xeon. The market segments are also distinct: the i7-10810U is classified as Mobile, while the Xeon is Server/Workstation. The Xeon E3-1535M v5 has a launch MSRP of $623, which can be stated once, and a part number of SR2FM, while the i7-10810U has no recorded launch MSRP or part number. The release dates are far apart: the i7-10810U arrived in April 2020, and the Xeon E3-1535M v5 came in October 2015. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to a clear, if narrow, winner: the Intel Core i7-10810U. It wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, with margins ranging from 1.1% to 1.5%. The i7-10810U’s higher boost clock of 4.9 GHz versus 3.7 GHz gives it an edge in every workload category measured, from single-core to multicore. Its 6-core, 12-thread configuration provides more parallel processing capability than the Xeon’s 4-core, 8-thread setup, and the larger 12 MB L3 cache helps in cache-sensitive tasks.

That said, the Xeon E3-1535M v5 is not a poor performer. Its 45 W TDP and higher base clock of 2.9 GHz allow it to nearly match the i7-10810U in multicore tests, falling behind by only 1.3% in each R15, R20, and R23 multicore benchmark. The Xeon’s support for ECC memory and its workstation-oriented feature set make it the right choice for specific professional use cases, even if raw performance is slightly lower.

For the average user comparing these two in a laptop, the i7-10810U is the better pick. It delivers higher benchmark scores across the board, uses less power with a 25 W TDP, and has a more modern architecture with a higher boost clock. The Xeon E3-1535M v5 is for those who absolutely need ECC memory support and are willing to accept a small performance deficit and a larger power draw. Both CPUs sit in the 44th percentile of all CPUs in the database, and their average benchmark scores are within 1.3% of each other, so the choice ultimately comes down to feature requirements rather than raw speed.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-10810U wins in every recorded benchmark, but its advantages are more pronounced in certain areas. Its single-core performance is slightly stronger, with delta percentages of 1.1% in R15, 1.5% in R20, and 1.4% in R23 compared to the Xeon. This makes it the better option for single-threaded applications like spreadsheets, web browsing, and legacy software that relies on one or two cores. Its multicore wins of 1.3% in all three Cinebench versions also make it preferable for most multithreaded workloads, including video encoding, 3D rendering, and compilation tasks. The i7-10810U’s 25 W TDP means it will run cooler and draw less power, which is a practical advantage in thin laptops where thermal headroom is limited.

The Intel Xeon E3-1535M v5 does not have a single benchmark win in the recorded data, but it wins on features. It supports ECC memory, which is critical for workstations handling financial data, scientific computing, or any application where data corruption is unacceptable. Its 45 W TDP and 2.9 GHz base clock suggest it can sustain heavy loads without relying on boost frequencies, making it suitable for long-running server-like tasks in a mobile form factor. The Xeon also has a listed memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, which, while not compared directly to the i7-10810U, indicates a mature memory subsystem for its era. For a mobile workstation that must run 24/7 with ECC RAM and tolerate heavier cooling requirements, the Xeon E3-1535M v5 is the logical choice, even if its Cinebench scores are slightly lower.