Intel Core i7-11700B vs Intel Xeon W-2155 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clean sweep for the Intel Core i7-11700B across all six Cinebench tests. Every head-to-head result lands in the same narrow band, with the 11700B winning by margins between 3.2% and 3.4%. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the 11700B scores 1826 against the Xeon W-2155's 1767, a 3.3% advantage. The single-core R15 result follows the same pattern: 257 versus 249, a 3.2% edge. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core gap holds at 3.3% (7609 against 7365), while the single-core test widens slightly to 3.4% (1074 versus 1039). The R23 suite repeats the story: multi-core shows 18119 versus 17538, again 3.3%, and single-core shows 2558 versus 2475, again 3.4%.

The consistency of these margins is notable. Across workloads that stress all cores and workloads that stress a single thread, the 11700B maintains nearly the same relative advantage. That uniformity suggests the win comes from per-core efficiency rather than any workload-specific quirk. The Xeon W-2155, despite having two additional cores and four additional threads, cannot translate that raw core count into a multi-core victory. The 11700B's 3.3% lead in R23 multi-core, for instance, means the 10-core Xeon falls behind an 8-core part even in a heavily threaded render benchmark.

Average benchmark scores place the 11700B at 5241 and the Xeon W-2155 at 5072, a difference of roughly 3.3% that mirrors the head-to-head deltas. Both processors sit at the 60th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy the same tier of overall performance. The nearest rivals for the 11700B include the Intel Core i9-10850K with an average score of 5240 (0% delta), the Core i5-14401E at 5253 (-0.2%), and the Xeon E5-2699A v4 at 5259 (-0.3%). The Xeon W-2155's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5750GE at 5070 (0% delta), the Core i9-12900TE at 5050 (0.4%), and the Core i7-11850HE at 5095 (-0.4%). These rival clusters confirm that both chips perform in the same league, with the 11700B holding a slight but consistent edge.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and designs. The Core i7-11700B is built on the Tiger Lake architecture with a 10 nm process node, while the Xeon W-2155 uses the older Skylake architecture on a 14 nm node. The die size difference is dramatic: the 11700B measures 190 mm², whereas the Xeon W-2155 spans 484 mm². That larger die reflects the Xeon's workstation heritage, but the newer process node gives the 11700B a density advantage that helps explain its competitive showing.

Core and thread counts differ in the Xeon's favor. The 11700B offers 8 cores and 16 threads; the W-2155 offers 10 cores and 20 threads. Base clocks are similar, with the 11700B at 3.20 GHz and the W-2155 at 3.30 GHz. Boost clocks flip the comparison: the 11700B reaches 4.80 GHz, while the W-2155 tops out at 4.50 GHz. That 300 MHz boost advantage, combined with the newer architecture, appears to drive the 11700B's single-core wins.

Cache layouts differ substantially. The 11700B provides 80 KB of L1 per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with a shared 24 MB L3. The W-2155 provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a smaller 13.75 MB shared L3. The 11700B's larger L3 cache, nearly double the Xeon's, likely contributes to its multi-core performance despite the core deficit. Memory support shows a split: both use DDR4, but the 11700B runs dual-channel with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the W-2155 runs quad-channel with 85.3 GB/s. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, which the 11700B does not.

PCIe lanes and sockets reveal their different market positions. The 11700B uses Intel BGA 1787 and offers PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the W-2155 uses Intel Socket 2066 and offers PCIe Gen 3 with 48 lanes. The 11700B includes integrated UHD Graphics (Xe-LP); the W-2155 has no integrated graphics. The 11700B targets the mobile segment with a 65 W TDP, whereas the W-2155 is a server/workstation part rated at 140 W. Both are end-of-life products, but their release dates differ: the 11700B launched in May 2021, the W-2155 in August 2017.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to one clear conclusion: the Core i7-11700B outperforms the Xeon W-2155 in every recorded Cinebench test. The margins are modest but consistent, ranging from 3.2% to 3.4% across single-core and multi-core workloads. This means the 11700B delivers slightly better raw render performance in both lightly threaded and fully threaded scenarios, despite having two fewer cores and four fewer threads. The W-2155's advantages lie elsewhere: ECC memory support, quad-channel memory bandwidth, 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, and a 140 W TDP that suggests sustained heavy-duty operation. For workloads that need those platform features, the Xeon remains relevant. For pure CPU compute as measured by Cinebench, the 11700B wins outright.

FAQ

Q: Which processor scores higher in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i7-11700B scores 18119, while the Intel Xeon W-2155 scores 17538. The 11700B leads by 3.3%.

Q: Does the Xeon W-2155 win any benchmark in the head-to-head comparison?

A: No. The recorded head-to-head results show 6 wins for the 11700B and 0 wins for the W-2155 across all six Cinebench tests.

Q: How do their core and thread counts compare?

A: The 11700B has 8 cores and 16 threads. The W-2155 has 10 cores and 20 threads, giving it a 2-core and 4-thread advantage.

Q: What memory bandwidth does each support?

A: The 11700B offers dual-channel memory with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. The W-2155 offers quad-channel memory with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The W-2155 supports ECC memory, while the 11700B does not.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each?

A: The 11700B has an average benchmark score of 5241, and the W-2155 has an average score of 5072. Both sit at the 60th percentile among all CPUs.

Where Each One Wins

The 11700B wins in all six Cinebench tests recorded in the database. Its single-core advantages are consistent: 3.2% in R15, 3.4% in R20, and 3.4% in R23. Multi-core wins are equally steady at 3.3% across all three Cinebench versions. The 11700B's higher boost clock (4.80 GHz versus 4.50 GHz) and larger L3 cache (24 MB versus 13.75 MB) appear to be the decisive factors. Its 10 nm Tiger Lake architecture also gives it a process-node advantage over the 14 nm Skylake design.

The W-2155 does not win any benchmark, but its platform strengths create use cases where it remains the better choice. Quad-channel memory with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth suits memory-intensive workstation tasks such as large dataset manipulation or virtual machine density. ECC memory support provides error correction for critical server workloads where data integrity is non-negotiable. The 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes allow for extensive expansion, such as multiple GPUs or high-speed storage controllers. The 140 W TDP and server/workstation market segment indicate a design built for continuous, high-load operation rather than mobile efficiency.

For Cinebench-style render workloads, the 11700B is the stronger part. For platform-level workstation requirements involving ECC, quad-channel memory, or high lane counts, the W-2155 offers capabilities the 11700B simply does not have.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-11700B | Intel Xeon W-2155 |

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

| Cores | 8 | 10 |

| Threads | 16 | 20 |

| Base clock | 3.20 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.80 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 140 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1787 | Intel Socket 2066 |

| Architecture | Tiger Lake | Skylake |

| Process node | 10 nm | 14 nm |

| Die size | 190 mm² | 484 mm² |

| L1 cache | 80 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 24 MB (shared) | 13.75 MB (shared) |

| Memory bus | Dual-channel | Quad-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 85.3 GB/s |

| ECC memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes | Gen 3, 48 Lanes |

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics (Xe-LP) | None |

| Market segment | Mobile | Server/Workstation |

| Release date | May 2021 | August 2017 |

| Part number | SRKU5 | SR3LR |

The launch MSRP for the Xeon W-2155 is $1440. The 11700B has no recorded launch MSRP. Both processors are end-of-life and neither has an unlocked multiplier.