Intel Core i7-11375H vs Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 Comparison

The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 and the Intel Core i7-11375H occupy opposite ends of the hardware spectrum, yet they land in the same performance percentile. The database shows both processors holding a 52nd percentile ranking among all CPUs, but their average benchmark scores tell different stories. The Xeon E5-1660 v3 averages 3082 points, while the Core i7-11375H trails slightly at 3018 points. Across every Cinebench test recorded, the older Xeon wins by a consistent margin of roughly 9%, making it the stronger performer in this head-to-head despite its age.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Xeon E5-1660 v3 sweeps all six Cinebench comparisons, and the margins are remarkably uniform. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Xeon scores 1074 against the i7-11375H's 985, a 9% advantage. The single-core test in R15 shows a similar gap: 151 versus 138, or 9.4% ahead. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20, where the Xeon posts 4475 in multicore and 631 in single-core, versus 4105 and 579 for the i7-11375H, both victories by 9%. Cinebench R23 follows the same script, with the Xeon reaching 10656 multicore and 1504 single-core, while the i7-11375H manages 9775 and 1380, again a 9% delta in both cases.

The consistency of these results is notable. The Xeon's lead does not shrink or grow with the workload type, it holds steady at 9% across every multicore test and stays in that range for single-core tests. The i7-11375H's higher boost clock, reaching 5.00 GHz, does not translate into a single-core victory. The Xeon's boost clock of 3.50 GHz is lower, yet its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1504 exceeds the i7's 1380 by 9%. This suggests the Xeon's older Haswell architecture extracts more performance per clock in these specific workloads, or the i7's mobile power constraints limit sustained boost behavior.

The nearest rivals in the database offer context for these scores. The Xeon E5-1660 v3 sits within 0.2% of the Intel Core i7-6850K, which averages 3079, and within 0.4% of the AMD Ryzen 7 1800X at 3068. The i7-11375H, meanwhile, is 1% ahead of the Intel Xeon E-2334 and AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5675U, both at 2988, but trails the AMD Ryzen 5 5600U by 1.1%. These comparisons show that while the two chips are close in average score, the Xeon edges ahead in every direct Cinebench matchup.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these processors is generational. The Xeon E5-1660 v3 uses the Haswell-EP design on a 22 nm process, fabricated by Intel with 2,600 million transistors on a 356 mm² die. The Core i7-11375H uses Tiger Lake-H on a 10 nm process, with a much smaller 146.1 mm² die and no transistor count listed in the database. This process shrink gives the i7 a significant efficiency advantage, reflected in its 28 W TDP versus the Xeon's 140 W TDP.

Core counts diverge sharply. The Xeon offers 8 cores and 16 threads, while the i7-11375H provides 4 cores and 8 threads. Cache hierarchies also differ in structure. The Xeon allocates 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, with 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The i7-11375H has larger per-core allocations at 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2, but only 12 MB of shared L3. The Xeon's larger core count and L3 capacity help explain its multicore wins, while the i7's larger per-core L2 suggests an attempt to feed fewer, faster cores.

Memory support separates the two as well. The Xeon uses quad-channel DDR4, yielding 68.3 GB/s of memory bandwidth, and supports ECC memory. The i7-11375H uses dual-channel DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth and no ECC support. The Xeon's higher bandwidth is a direct consequence of its workstation heritage, while the i7's narrower memory bus suits its mobile role. PCIe connectivity differs too: the Xeon provides Gen 3 with 40 lanes, while the i7 offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes. The i7's newer PCIe generation doubles per-lane throughput, but the Xeon has more total lanes for expansion.

The i7-11375H includes integrated graphics, specifically Iris XE with 96 execution units, while the Xeon has no integrated graphics listed. This makes the i7 a complete system-on-chip for laptops, whereas the Xeon requires a discrete GPU. The i7 also has a locked multiplier, while the Xeon's multiplier is unlocked, allowing overclocking on the older platform.

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon E5-1660 v3 wins every benchmark in the database, but the nature of its victories points to specific use cases. Its 8-core, 16-thread configuration with 20 MB of L3 and quad-channel memory makes it suited for multi-threaded workstation tasks. The Cinebench R23 multicore score of 10656 demonstrates this capacity, beating the i7's 9775 by 881 points. The Xeon's ECC memory support and 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes also align with server or workstation roles where data integrity and expansion matter more than power efficiency.

The Core i7-11375H, despite losing all direct comparisons, has advantages that do not show up in Cinebench scores. Its 5.00 GHz boost clock is the highest in this matchup, and its 10 nm process along with 28 W TDP makes it dramatically more power-efficient. The integrated Iris XE graphics eliminate the need for a separate GPU in basic display tasks. The i7's PCIe Gen 4 support offers faster per-lane bandwidth for modern storage devices. Its smaller die size and mobile market segment indicate a design focused on laptops and compact systems, where the Xeon's 140 W TDP and Socket 2011-3 form factor are impractical.

The database shows the i7-11375H also has a Geekbench single-core score of 1800, a test not run on the Xeon, which hints at strong per-thread performance in applications that favor high clock speeds. However, since the Xeon has no Geekbench entry, this cannot be compared directly. For users prioritizing raw multi-threaded throughput, the Xeon is the clear choice. For users needing a low-power, integrated solution with modern connectivity, the i7 offers capabilities the Xeon lacks.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification field. The Xeon E5-1660 v3 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the i7-11375H has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are identical at 3.00 GHz, but boost clocks differ: the Xeon reaches 3.50 GHz, while the i7 boosts to 5.00 GHz. TDP is a stark contrast, with the Xeon at 140 W and the i7 at 28 W. The Xeon uses Intel Socket 2011-3, while the i7 uses Intel BGA 1449. The Xeon's Haswell architecture on 22 nm compares to the i7's Tiger Lake on 10 nm. The Xeon has a 356 mm² die with 2,600 million transistors; the i7 has a 146.1 mm² die with no transistor count recorded.

Cache configurations differ in size and structure. The Xeon has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, with 20 MB shared L3. The i7 has 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core, with 12 MB shared L3. Memory support is quad-channel DDR4 with 68.3 GB/s bandwidth for the Xeon, versus dual-channel DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s for the i7. ECC memory is supported only on the Xeon. PCIe lanes are 40 Gen 3 lanes for the Xeon and 20 Gen 4 lanes for the i7. The i7 includes Iris XE 96EU integrated graphics, while the Xeon has none. The Xeon has an unlocked multiplier and is end-of-life, while the i7 has a locked multiplier and remains active. The i7's launch MSRP is $482, while the Xeon has no recorded launch price. Release dates are far apart: the Xeon launched in 2014, the i7 in 2021.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-11375H boosts to 5.00 GHz, while the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 boosts to 3.50 GHz.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon supports ECC memory, while the Core i7-11375H does not.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The Xeon E5-1660 v3 averages 3082 points, and the Core i7-11375H averages 3018 points.

Q: How many cores does each processor have?

A: The Xeon E5-1660 v3 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Core i7-11375H has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which processor includes integrated graphics?

A: The Core i7-11375H includes Iris XE with 96 execution units, while the Xeon E5-1660 v3 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Xeon E5-1660 v3 has a 140 W TDP, while the Core i7-11375H has a 28 W TDP.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split along use-case lines. The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 is the performance leader, winning all six Cinebench benchmarks by 9% or more. Its 8 cores, 20 MB of L3 cache, quad-channel memory, and ECC support make it the stronger choice for multi-threaded workstation workloads, server tasks, or any application that can use its extra threads and memory bandwidth. The unlocked multiplier adds overclocking potential for users on the Socket 2011-3 platform.

The Intel Core i7-11375H, despite losing every direct benchmark, serves a different purpose. Its 28 W TDP, integrated Iris XE graphics, and BGA 1449 socket make it a mobile processor. The 5.00 GHz boost clock and PCIe Gen 4 support give it modern connectivity and high per-thread clock speeds, but the 4-core, 8-thread configuration cannot match the Xeon's multicore throughput. The i7's active production status and 2021 release date mean it is a current product, while the Xeon is end-of-life.

For users building a workstation or server with room for a high-TDP socketed CPU, the Xeon E5-1660 v3 is the better performer in every recorded test. For users who need a low-power integrated solution for a laptop or compact system, the Core i7-11375H offers capabilities the Xeon cannot provide, including integrated graphics and PCIe Gen 4. The Xeon wins on raw compute, the i7 wins on efficiency and modern platform features, and the database shows they overlap in overall percentile despite their architectural differences.