Intel Core i7-11390H vs Intel Xeon E5-4650 v3 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear and consistent picture: the Intel Xeon E5-4650 v3 wins every recorded head-to-head comparison against the Intel Core i7-11390H. Across all six Cinebench tests, the Xeon holds a uniform advantage of approximately 10.8% in most disciplines, with single-core tests showing a slightly wider gap.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 928 against the Core i7's 828, a delta of -10.8% from the perspective of the mobile chip. The single-core R15 result is closer in percentage terms but still favors the Xeon: 131 versus 116, a delta of -11.5%. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20, where the Xeon posts 3869 multi-core and 546 single-core, versus 3451 and 487 for the Core i7. The deltas are again -10.8% for multi-core and -10.8% for single-core.

Cinebench R23 confirms the trend. The Xeon scores 9212 multi-core and 1300 single-core, while the Core i7 manages 8218 and 1160 respectively. The delta sits at -10.8% for both. Notably, the Xeon's single-core advantage grows slightly in the R23 test compared to R20, suggesting that its older architecture still holds up in single-threaded workloads when clocked appropriately.

The database records zero wins for the Core i7-11390H and six wins for the Xeon E5-4650 v3. This is a sweep. The Core i7's higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz does not translate into a benchmark victory over the Xeon's 2.80 GHz boost, which indicates that the Xeon's larger core count and cache configuration more than compensate for the clock deficit in these workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmarks in this comparison?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-4650 v3 wins all six recorded Cinebench tests. The Core i7-11390H has zero wins in the head-to-head set.

Q: How large is the performance gap in multi-core tests?

A: The Xeon leads by 10.8% in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests. The raw scores are 928 vs 828 (R15), 3869 vs 3451 (R20), and 9212 vs 8218 (R23).

Q: Does the Core i7 win any single-core test?

A: No. The Xeon also leads in single-core tests, with deltas of -11.5% in R15, -10.8% in R20, and -10.8% in R23. The Xeon scores 131, 546, and 1300 versus the Core i7's 116, 487, and 1160.

Q: What do the average benchmark scores say about these two chips?

A: The Core i7-11390H has an average benchmark score of 2715, while the Xeon E5-4650 v3 averages 2664. Both sit at the 50th percentile against all CPUs in the database.

Q: How do their nearest rivals compare?

A: The Core i7's closest rival is the Intel Xeon D-1577 with a matching average score of 2715 (0% delta). The Xeon E5-4650 v3's nearest rival is the Intel Core i7-9750HF at 2662 (0.1% delta).

Q: Which chip has a higher boost clock?

A: The Core i7-11390H boosts to 5.00 GHz, while the Xeon E5-4650 v3 boosts to 2.80 GHz. Despite this, the Xeon wins all benchmark comparisons.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and design philosophies. The Core i7-11390H is built on Tiger Lake-H, a 10 nm Intel process, with a die size of 146.1 mm². The Xeon E5-4650 v3 uses Haswell-EP on a 22 nm node, with a substantially larger die of 356 mm² and 2,600 million transistors. The manufacturing process difference is stark: 10 nm versus 22 nm, which explains the Core i7's higher clocks and power efficiency on paper.

Core and thread counts differ significantly. The Core i7 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Xeon has 12 cores and 24 threads. This tripling of cores and threads is the primary reason for the Xeon's multi-core wins, even though the per-core clock speeds are lower. Cache layouts also diverge. The Core i7 offers 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The Xeon provides 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3. The Xeon's 30 MB L3 is 2.5 times larger, which helps in data-heavy server workloads.

Memory architecture differs as well. The Core i7 supports dual-channel DDR4 with a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The Xeon supports quad-channel DDR4, pushing bandwidth to 68.3 GB/s. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, while the Core i7 does not. PCIe capabilities are opposite in generation and lane count: the Core i7 uses Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the Xeon uses Gen 3 with 40 lanes. Integrated graphics are present only on the Core i7, with Iris XE 96EU; the Xeon has no integrated GPU.

Specification Differences

The specification table shows clear distinctions between the two chips. The Core i7-11390H has 4 cores and 8 threads, a base clock of 2.90 GHz, and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Xeon E5-4650 v3 has 12 cores and 24 threads, a base clock of 2.10 GHz, and a boost clock of 2.80 GHz. The Xeon's base clock is lower by 0.80 GHz, but its core count is three times higher.

Thermal design power differs by a wide margin. The Core i7 is rated at 28 W TDP, while the Xeon is rated at 105 W TDP. This nearly fourfold difference in power envelope explains the Xeon's need for heavier cooling and its server-class positioning. The sockets are incompatible: the Core i7 uses Intel BGA 1449, while the Xeon uses Intel Socket 2011-3.

The process node is 10 nm for the Core i7 and 22 nm for the Xeon. Die size is 146.1 mm² versus 356 mm². The Xeon has 2,600 million transistors; the Core i7's transistor count is not recorded. Memory support is DDR4 for both, but the Xeon adds ECC capability and quad-channel operation. The Core i7's integrated graphics are absent on the Xeon. Release dates also differ: the Core i7 launched on June 20, 2021, while the Xeon launched on May 31, 2015. The Core i7 is active in production, while the Xeon is end-of-life.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous. The Xeon E5-4650 v3 wins every recorded test, and the wins are consistent in magnitude, hovering around 10.8% across most workloads. The Core i7-11390H, despite its newer process node, higher boost clock, and integrated graphics, does not outperform the Xeon in any Cinebench metric. The Xeon's 12 cores and 24 threads, combined with 30 MB of L3 cache, provide a structural advantage that clock speed alone cannot overcome.

For users prioritizing raw multi-threaded throughput, the Xeon is the clear choice based on these results. Its quad-channel memory and ECC support further position it for server and workstation roles. The Core i7, with its 28 W TDP and integrated Iris XE graphics, is suited for mobile systems where power draw and compactness matter more than peak benchmark scores. The data suggests that for single-threaded responsiveness, the Xeon still leads, which is notable given the Core i7's 5.00 GHz boost clock. The Xeon's 2.80 GHz boost, combined with 12 cores, delivers a 10.8% single-core lead in R23.

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon E5-4650 v3 wins in every benchmark category recorded. Its strengths lie in multi-core workloads, where 12 cores and 24 threads provide a substantial throughput advantage. The 30 MB shared L3 cache and quad-channel memory bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s support data-intensive applications that benefit from large working sets. ECC memory support makes it suitable for environments where data integrity is critical, such as servers and workstations. The 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes offer broader expansion options for storage and accelerators.

The Core i7-11390H has no benchmark wins in this comparison, but its specification profile indicates where it could excel in practice. The 5.00 GHz boost clock is the highest in this matchup, and the 10 nm process node suggests better power efficiency per core. The integrated Iris XE 96EU graphics eliminate the need for a separate GPU in basic display tasks. The 28 W TDP makes it viable for thin-and-light laptops where thermal headroom is limited. Its Gen 4 PCIe with 20 lanes provides faster per-lane bandwidth for NVMe storage. The dual-channel memory at 51.2 GB/s is adequate for mobile workloads. In short, the Xeon wins on raw compute and server features, while the Core i7 wins on mobility, integration, and power draw, even though the recorded benchmarks do not capture those advantages.