Intel Core i7-10870H vs Intel Xeon D-1587 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data between the Intel Xeon D-1587 and the Intel Core i7-10870H covers six Cinebench workloads, and the results are remarkably consistent: the Core i7-10870H wins every single test, but by a narrow margin in each case. The largest single-core gap appears in Cinebench R15, where the Core i7-10870H scores 168 against the Xeon D-1587's 164, a delta of 2.4%. In multi-core R15, the Core i7-10870H posts 1194 versus 1167, a 2.3% advantage. That same 2.3% delta repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core (4977 vs. 4865), R20 single-core (702 vs. 686), R23 multi-core (11852 vs. 11585), and R23 single-core (1673 vs. 1635). The consistency of the 2.3% gap across both single-threaded and multi-threaded tests suggests a steady per-clock performance advantage rather than a scaling benefit from extra cores.

While the Core i7-10870H claims all six victories, the magnitude is small enough that real-world differences would be hard to notice. A 2.3% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core translates to roughly 267 points, which falls within run-to-run variance for many systems. The Xeon D-1587's 16 cores and 32 threads do not translate into a multi-core win here, despite having double the core count. Instead, the Core i7-10870H's higher boost clock appears to compensate fully, and then some, for its lower core count. The data shows no workload category where the Xeon D-1587 takes the lead, making this a clean sweep for the mobile chip in the tested benchmarks.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel design lineages. The Xeon D-1587 uses the Broadwell architecture, specifically the Broadwell-DE generation, built on a 14 nm process with 3,200 million transistors on a 246 mm² die. The Core i7-10870H is Comet Lake, part of the Core 10th Gen family (Comet Lake-H), also on a 14 nm process, though the database does not list its transistor count or die size. Both are produced by Intel's own foundry. The Xeon D-1587 ships in an Intel BGA 1667 socket, while the Core i7-10870H uses Intel BGA 1440, so they are not interchangeable on any motherboard.

Core and thread counts differ substantially: the Xeon D-1587 provides 16 cores and 32 threads, whereas the Core i7-10870H offers 8 cores and 16 threads. Cache topology also diverges. The Xeon D-1587 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 1.5 MB of L3 per core. The Core i7-10870H also has 64 KB L1 per core and 256 KB L2 per core, but its L3 is 16 MB shared across all cores. This distinction matters for workloads that depend on shared cache access patterns, since the Xeon's per-core L3 allocation is spread out, while the Core i7 pools its cache.

Memory support separates the two as well. The Xeon D-1587 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus and includes ECC memory support, a hallmark of server platforms. The Core i7-10870H supports only DDR4, has no ECC capability, and the database does not specify its memory bus width. PCIe connectivity also differs: the Xeon D-1587 provides Gen 3 with 24 lanes (CPU only), while the Core i7-10870H offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Core i7-10870H includes integrated UHD Graphics, whereas the Xeon D-1587 has no integrated graphics listed. The Xeon D-1587 targets the server and workstation market segment, while the Core i7-10870H is a mobile part. Release dates reflect this positioning: the Xeon D-1587 launched in February 2016, and the Core i7-10870H in September 2020. The Xeon D-1587 carries a launch MSRP of 1549, while the Core i7-10870H has no launch MSRP recorded in the database. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the head-to-head benchmark data, the Core i7-10870H wins in every recorded test, but the margins are narrow enough to make the Xeon D-1587 a viable alternative in specific scenarios. The Core i7-10870H's advantage is uniform across both single-core and multi-core Cinebench tests, pointing to a stronger per-clock performance profile. Its 5.00 GHz boost clock, compared to the Xeon D-1587's 2.30 GHz boost, likely drives this outcome, though the database does not directly attribute scores to clock speed. For single-threaded workloads such as legacy application code, spreadsheet macros, or lightly threaded scripts, the Core i7-10870H is the better choice based on its consistent 2.3% to 2.4% lead in single-core tests.

The Xeon D-1587, despite losing all head-to-head tests, still offers 16 cores and 32 threads, which the data does not fully explore beyond Cinebench. Its ECC memory support and DDR3/DDR4 compatibility make it suitable for server or workstation environments where data integrity and memory flexibility matter more than raw Cinebench scores. The Core i7-10870H, with integrated UHD Graphics, serves mobile and compact systems that need a display output without a discrete GPU. Neither chip wins on every criterion, but the benchmark results clearly favor the Core i7-10870H for rendering tasks, while the Xeon D-1587's value lies in its server-oriented feature set rather than its measured performance in these tests.

Both processors sit at the 54th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning their overall performance rankings are identical, despite the Core i7-10870H's higher average benchmark score of 3446 versus the Xeon D-1587's 3350. This parity in percentile suggests that the head-to-head tests, while favoring the Core i7-10870H, do not capture the full breadth of each chip's capabilities. The Xeon D-1587's nearest rivals (by average score) include the Intel Core i7-7800X at 3333 (0.5% lower) and the AMD Ryzen 7 5800U at 3369 (0.5% higher), placing it in a tight cluster. The Core i7-10870H's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS at 3447 (0% delta) and the Intel Core i7-5960X at 3442 (0.1% lower), showing an equally dense competitive field. For users who prioritize the exact workloads tested here, the Core i7-10870H is the clear winner. For those who need ECC, dual-channel DDR3/DDR4, or a server-grade feature set, the Xeon D-1587 remains relevant despite its benchmark deficit.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i7-10870H wins with a score of 11852 against the Intel Xeon D-1587's 11585, a 2.3% difference.

Q: How much faster is the Core i7-10870H in single-core performance?

A: In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Core i7-10870H scores 1673 versus 1635 for the Xeon D-1587, a 2.3% lead. The largest single-core gap is in Cinebench R15, where the Core i7-10870H leads by 2.4% (168 vs. 164).

Q: Does the Xeon D-1587 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon D-1587 supports ECC memory and also accepts both DDR3 and DDR4. The Core i7-10870H does not support ECC and only supports DDR4.

Q: What are the core counts for each processor?

A: The Xeon D-1587 has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Core i7-10870H has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Do both processors use the same socket?

A: No. The Xeon D-1587 uses Intel BGA 1667, and the Core i7-10870H uses Intel BGA 1440.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the Core i7-10870H has integrated UHD Graphics. The Xeon D-1587 has no integrated graphics listed in the database.

Specification Differences

The table below lists only the fields where the two processors differ, based on the recorded data.

| Specification | Intel Xeon D-1587 | Intel Core i7-10870H |

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

| Series | None | Core 10th Gen |

| Cores | 16 | 8 |

| Threads | 32 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 1700.00 MHz | 2.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 2.30 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1667 | Intel BGA 1440 |

| Architecture | Broadwell | Comet Lake |

| Codename | Broadwell | Comet Lake-H |

| Generation | Xeon D (Broadwell-DE) | Core i7 (Comet Lake-H) |

| Transistors | 3,200 million | Not listed |

| Die Size | 246 mm² | Not listed |

| L3 Cache | 1.5 MB (per core) | 16 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3, DDR4 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Not listed |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 24 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | UHD Graphics |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2016-02-23 | 2020-09-16 |

| Launch MSRP | 1549 | Not listed |

| Part Number | SR2M1 | SRK3Y |

The table also reveals that both chips share the 14 nm process node, Intel as the foundry, 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, a locked multiplier, and the same 54th percentile ranking among all CPUs. The average benchmark score differs, with the Core i7-10870H at 3446 and the Xeon D-1587 at 3350, but this aggregate measure includes different test suites in the database, so it is not directly comparable to the head-to-head Cinebench results. The core count advantage of the Xeon D-1587 does not translate into a win in any head-to-head test, while the Core i7-10870H's higher boost clock and newer architecture yield consistent, if modest, wins across all six benchmarks.