Intel Core i7-11390H vs Intel Xeon D-1577 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-11390H and Intel Xeon D-1577 represent two fundamentally different approaches to computing, yet they land on identical average benchmark scores. The data shows a dead heat in overall performance, with both processors posting an average benchmark score of 2715 and occupying the 50th percentile among all CPUs. The nearest rivals for both are the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5650U at 2713 (0.1% delta) and the AMD Ryzen 7 4700U at 2722 (-0.2% delta), placing these two Intel parts in a tightly contested mid-pack cluster. Despite the statistical tie, the head-to-head benchmark results tell a more nuanced story, with one processor winning every single direct comparison.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Xeon D-1577 is the undisputed winner in every head-to-head benchmark recorded, taking all six tests in the comparison. The most significant margin comes in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Xeon posts a score of 133 against the Core i7-11390H's 116, a delta of -12.8% from the perspective of the Core part. The single-core advantage carries through every Cinebench iteration: R20 shows 556 versus 487 (-12.4%), and R23 shows 1325 versus 1160 (-12.5%). These consistent deltas of roughly 12.5% indicate a systematic performance gap in lightly threaded workloads.

The multi-core results follow the same pattern, with the Xeon D-1577 leading by similarly uniform margins. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 946 against 828 (-12.5%). The R20 multi-core test shows 3943 versus 3451 (-12.5%), and R23 multi-core shows 9389 versus 8218 (-12.5%). The uniformity of these deltas — nearly identical at -12.5% across all three multi-core tests and -12.4% to -12.8% in single-core — suggests a consistent architectural advantage rather than workload-specific quirks.

What is notable is that the Core i7-11390H fails to secure a single win, recording zero victories against the Xeon's six. However, the magnitude of the defeats is modest, never exceeding 12.8%. For Geekbench, the Core i7-11390H does have recorded scores of 5478 multi-core and 1985 single-core, but no direct comparison head-to-head data exists for that test suite against the Xeon. The Xeon D-1577's Geekbench scores are absent from the benchmark data, meaning the Geekbench results cannot be used for a direct comparison.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is stark, reflecting their different design goals and market positions. The Core i7-11390H is built on Intel's 10 nm process node under the Tiger Lake architecture, specifically Tiger Lake-H, with a die size of 146.1 mm². The Xeon D-1577 uses the older 14 nm process with the Broadwell architecture, specifically Broadwell-DE, and a substantially larger die at 246 mm². The Xeon's larger die houses 3,200 million transistors, while the Core i7's transistor count is not listed.

Core configuration diverges dramatically: the Core i7-11390H has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Xeon D-1577 has 16 cores and 32 threads — a 4x advantage in both core and thread counts. Clock speeds reverse this advantage, with the Core i7-11390H boosting to 5.00 GHz from a 2.90 GHz base, while the Xeon D-1577 boosts to just 2.10 GHz from a 1300.00 MHz base. The Xeon's clock speeds are listed in MHz for base and GHz for boost, creating an unusual formatting inconsistency, but the data is clear: the Core part has far higher clocks.

Cache hierarchies also differ fundamentally. The Core i7-11390H uses 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and a shared 12 MB L3. The Xeon D-1577 uses 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 1.5 MB L3 per core, with the L3 being per-core rather than shared. Memory support sees the Core part limited to DDR4 while the Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4, with dual-channel memory buses on both. The Core i7-11390H has a listed memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the Xeon's bandwidth is not provided. ECC memory is supported on the Xeon but not the Core part.

PCIe capabilities differ by generation and lane count: the Core i7-11390H offers PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the Xeon D-1577 offers PCIe Gen 3 with 24 lanes. The Core i7-11390H includes integrated Iris XE 96EU graphics, while the Xeon D-1577 has no integrated graphics. The Core part is a mobile processor on Intel BGA 1449 socket with a 28 W TDP, while the Xeon is a server/workstation part on Intel BGA 1667 with a 45 W TDP. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has higher single-core performance?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1577 wins every single-core benchmark in the head-to-head comparison. It scores 133 in Cinebench R15 single-core versus 116 for the Core i7-11390H, 556 versus 487 in R20 single-core, and 1325 versus 1160 in R23 single-core. The deltas range from -12.4% to -12.8% in favor of the Xeon.

Q: How does the multi-core performance compare?

A: The Xeon D-1577 leads in all multi-core tests, scoring 946 versus 828 in Cinebench R15, 3943 versus 3451 in R20, and 9389 versus 8218 in R23. Each of these represents a -12.5% delta against the Core i7-11390H. The Xeon's 16 cores and 32 threads provide a substantial advantage over the Core part's 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Are these processors similar in overall performance?

A: Yes, the aggregate data shows both processors have identical average benchmark scores of 2715 and both sit in the 50th percentile of all CPUs. Their nearest rival lists are identical, with both facing the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5650U (2713, 0.1% delta) and the AMD Ryzen 7 4700U (2722, -0.2% delta). The average scores mask the consistent head-to-head advantage held by the Xeon.

Q: Which processor has better memory support?

A: The Xeon D-1577 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the Core i7-11390H supports only DDR4. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the Core i7-11390H has a listed memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the Xeon's memory bandwidth is not provided in the data. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, which the Core part does not.

Q: What are the TDP and platform differences?

A: The Core i7-11390H has a 28 W TDP and uses the Intel BGA 1449 socket, while the Xeon D-1577 has a 45 W TDP and uses the Intel BGA 1667 socket. The Core part is classified as a mobile processor, while the Xeon is a server/workstation part. The Core i7-11390H includes integrated Iris XE 96EU graphics, but the Xeon D-1577 has no integrated graphics.

Q: Which processor is newer?

A: The Core i7-11390H has a release date of 2021-06-20, while the Xeon D-1577 has a release date of 2016-02-23. The Core part is built on Intel's 10 nm process with the Tiger Lake architecture, while the Xeon uses the older 14 nm process with the Broadwell architecture. Both processors remain in active production status.

Specification Differences

The specification tables reveal where these two processors diverge. The Core i7-11390H has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Xeon D-1577 has 16 cores and 32 threads. Base clocks differ substantially: the Core part runs at 2.90 GHz, while the Xeon runs at 1300.00 MHz. Boost clocks also favor the Core part at 5.00 GHz versus the Xeon's 2.10 GHz.

The process nodes differ by generation: the Core i7-11390H uses 10 nm, while the Xeon D-1577 uses 14 nm. Die size is 146.1 mm² for the Core part and 246 mm² for the Xeon, with the Xeon's transistor count listed at 3,200 million and the Core part's not provided. Cache configurations differ in every level: L1 cache is 80 KB per core on the Core part versus 64 KB per core on the Xeon; L2 is 1.25 MB per core versus 256 KB per core; L3 is 12 MB shared versus 1.5 MB per core.

Memory support shows the Xeon accepting both DDR3 and DDR4, while the Core i7-11390H accepts only DDR4. Memory bandwidth is listed at 51.2 GB/s for the Core part, with no figure for the Xeon. ECC memory is supported only on the Xeon. PCIe configurations differ: the Core part offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the Xeon offers Gen 3 with 24 lanes. Integrated graphics exist only on the Core part (Iris XE 96EU).

TDP ratings are 28 W for the Core part and 45 W for the Xeon. Sockets differ, with the Core part on Intel BGA 1449 and the Xeon on Intel BGA 1667. Market segments are mobile for the Core part and server/workstation for the Xeon. Release dates are 2021-06-20 for the Core part and 2016-02-23 for the Xeon. The launch MSRP for the Core i7-11390H is $426, while the Xeon D-1577's launch MSRP is 1379. Both processors have locked multipliers and are in active production.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear conclusion for specific use cases. The Xeon D-1577 is the better choice for anyone who prioritizes raw multi-threaded throughput, given its 16 cores, 32 threads, and consistent 12.5% lead over the Core i7-11390H in every Cinebench multi-core test. It is also the only option for workloads requiring ECC memory or support for both DDR3 and DDR4 modules, and its server/workstation classification with 24 PCIe Gen 3 lanes suits enterprise environments. The Xeon's 45 W TDP and larger 246 mm² die with 3,200 million transistors reflect a design built for sustained server duty rather than mobile efficiency.

The Core i7-11390H, despite losing every head-to-head benchmark, is not without merit. Its 5.00 GHz boost clock is nearly 2.5x higher than the Xeon's 2.10 GHz boost, and its 10 nm process node is two generations newer than the Xeon's 14 nm. The integrated Iris XE 96EU graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU in basic display scenarios, a feature entirely absent on the Xeon. Its 28 W TDP and mobile classification make it suitable for laptops, while the Xeon's 45 W TDP and BGA 1667 socket target embedded or server platforms.

The identical average benchmark scores of 2715 and the shared 50th percentile ranking suggest that for general-purpose computing, either processor will perform similarly in aggregate. The Xeon's win in all six direct comparisons, however, gives it the edge in measured head-to-head scenarios. The Core i7-11390H's advantages are architectural — higher clocks, newer process, integrated graphics — but these do not translate into benchmark victories. A buyer needing ECC memory, high core counts, or dual memory type support should select the Xeon D-1577. A buyer needing integrated graphics, lower power consumption, or higher clock speeds for single-thread responsiveness should select the Core i7-11390H, accepting its measured deficit in these specific benchmarks.