Intel Core i7-1180G7 vs Intel Xeon E3-1575M v5 Comparison

The Verdict

The Intel Core i7-1180G7 wins every single head-to-head benchmark in the database against the Intel Xeon E3-1575M v5, but the margins are remarkably narrow. Across six Cinebench tests, the Core i7 leads by only 1% to 1.1% in every case. Both processors sit at the 43rd percentile among all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are close: 1930 for the Core i7 versus 1910 for the Xeon. For users who need maximum compute throughput in the smallest power envelope, the Core i7-1180G7 is the clear choice, especially given its 9W TDP versus the Xeon's 45W TDP. The Xeon E3-1575M v5, however, remains relevant for workstation environments that require ECC memory support, a feature the Core i7 lacks entirely. In short, the Core i7 is the better mobile processor for general and single-threaded work, while the Xeon is the safer pick for server-class reliability demands.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different Intel design eras. The Core i7-1180G7 uses the Tiger Lake architecture, specifically the Willow Cove-U core generation, built on a 10 nm process. The Xeon E3-1575M v5 uses the Skylake architecture, specifically Skylake-H, built on a 14 nm process. The Core i7 features a smaller die at 144 mm², while the Xeon's die is larger at 171 mm² and contains 2,300 million transistors, a figure not recorded for the Core i7.

Both CPUs offer 4 cores and 8 threads, so the threading capacity is identical. The cache layouts differ substantially. The Core i7 provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Xeon provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core i7's larger L3 cache is a significant advantage for workloads that repeatedly access the same data. The L2 cache per core on the Core i7 is roughly five times larger than the Xeon's, which can reduce latency for frequently used data sets.

Clock speeds tell a contrasting story. The Xeon has a much higher base clock at 3.00 GHz, while the Core i7's base clock is 1300.00 MHz. The Core i7's boost clock reaches 4.60 GHz, well above the Xeon's 3.90 GHz boost. This explains why the Core i7 wins single-threaded tests despite the Xeon's higher idle frequency. The TDP difference is dramatic: the Core i7 draws only 9W, while the Xeon is rated at 45W. That makes the Core i7 far better suited for thin-and-light mobile systems, while the Xeon targets larger workstation or server platforms.

Memory support diverges as well. The Core i7 supports LPDDR4X memory, while the Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4. Both use dual-channel memory buses, and both have a recorded memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. The Xeon adds ECC memory support, which is essential for error-correcting workloads in data centers or financial computations. The Core i7 does not support ECC. PCIe capabilities also differ: the Core i7 offers Gen 4 with 4 lanes (CPU only), while the Xeon offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Xeon's extra lanes are useful for expanded I/O, though the Core i7's newer PCIe generation provides higher per-lane bandwidth.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The Core i7 features Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 with 96 execution units. The Xeon features Iris Pro Graphics P580. The socket types are not interchangeable: the Core i7 uses Intel BGA 1598, while the Xeon uses Intel BGA 1440. The Core i7 is classified as a mobile part, while the Xeon is a server/workstation part. Both are end-of-life products, with the Core i7 released in March 2021 and the Xeon released in January 2016. The launch MSRP for the Core i7 is $426, and the launch MSRP for the Xeon is $1207.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records six Cinebench comparisons, and the Core i7-1180G7 wins all six. The largest margin appears in Cinebench R15 multicore, where the Core i7 scores 672 versus the Xeon's 665, a delta of 1.1%. The same 1.1% delta appears in Cinebench R15 singlecore, with scores of 94 and 93 respectively. Cinebench R20 multicore shows the Core i7 at 2802 versus the Xeon at 2774, a 1% lead. Cinebench R20 singlecore gives the Core i7 395 and the Xeon 391, again a 1% edge. Cinebench R23 multicore records 6672 for the Core i7 and 6607 for the Xeon, a 1% difference. Cinebench R23 singlecore shows 942 versus 932, a 1.1% advantage for the Core i7.

The consistency of these margins is striking. Across all three Cinebench versions, the Core i7's advantage never exceeds 1.1%, and it never drops below 1%. This suggests that the architectural improvements in Tiger Lake, particularly the higher boost clock and larger cache, translate into a small but uniform performance lead over the older Skylake-based Xeon. The wins are not concentrated in one workload type; they appear equally in multicore and singlecore tests. The Xeon's higher base clock helps it stay close, but the Core i7's boost headroom and L3 cache size are enough to tip every result its way.

The average benchmark scores reinforce the head-to-head results. The Core i7's average is 1930, while the Xeon's is 1910, a difference of 20 points. In the nearest rival comparisons, the Core i7 sits exactly level with the AMD Opteron 6348 at 1930, and it is 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core i3-10300, 0.3% behind the Intel Xeon E3-1231 v3, and 0.4% ahead of the Intel Core i3-10305T. The Xeon E3-1575M v5 matches the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE at 1910, sits 0.1% behind the Intel Xeon E-2314, and is 0.1% ahead of both the Intel Xeon E3-1285 v4 and the Intel Xeon E5-2620 v3. These rival deltas show that both chips are clustered tightly with other mid-range processors, and neither stands out dramatically from its peers.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-1180G7 has a boost clock of 4.60 GHz, while the Intel Xeon E3-1575M v5 has a boost clock of 3.90 GHz.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon E3-1575M v5 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon E3-1575M v5 supports ECC memory. The Core i7-1180G7 does not support ECC memory.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two processors?

A: The Core i7-1180G7 has a TDP of 9W, while the Xeon E3-1575M v5 has a TDP of 45W. The Core i7 uses far less power.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Core i7-1180G7 has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Xeon E3-1575M v5 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: How do the two processors compare in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Core i7-1180G7 scores 6672, and the Xeon E3-1575M v5 scores 6607, giving the Core i7 a 1% lead.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth for both processors?

A: Both processors have a recorded memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, and both use dual-channel memory buses.

Where Each One Wins

The Core i7-1180G7 wins every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, so the performance case is one-sided. The data shows a 1% to 1.1% lead across all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests, including both singlecore and multicore variants. For users who prioritize raw compute speed in a compact mobile device, the Core i7 is the stronger option. Its 4.60 GHz boost clock and 12 MB L3 cache give it the edge in bursty workloads and cache-sensitive tasks. The 9W TDP also makes it the obvious choice for battery-powered systems, where power efficiency directly affects runtime and thermal management. The Core i7's PCIe Gen 4 support, though limited to 4 lanes, provides newer interconnect technology for fast storage and expansion.

The Xeon E3-1575M v5 wins in areas that the benchmarks do not measure directly. Its ECC memory support is a decisive advantage for workstations and servers where data integrity is non-negotiable. The Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, offering flexibility in existing platforms. Its 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes provide more expansion capacity than the Core i7's 4 lanes, which matters for systems with multiple add-in cards. The Xeon's higher base clock of 3.00 GHz means it sustains performance without needing to boost, which can be beneficial for steady, long-running server workloads. The Xeon also carries a server/workstation market segment designation, so it belongs in platforms designed for 24/7 operation.

The production statuses are identical, both end-of-life, but the release dates reflect different eras. The Xeon launched in January 2016, while the Core i7 launched in March 2021. The Core i7's newer architecture gives it the benchmark lead, but the Xeon's feature set remains relevant for specific enterprise use cases. The launch MSRP for the Xeon is $1207, and the launch MSRP for the Core i7 is $426, though pricing is not part of the performance analysis.

In practical terms, the Core i7-1180G7 is the pick for mobile professionals who need the best possible Cinebench scores in a low-power package. The Xeon E3-1575M v5 is the pick for system builders who require ECC memory and broader PCIe connectivity, accepting a small performance deficit in exchange for those server-grade features. The benchmark data shows that the Core i7 is the faster CPU, but the Xeon is the more feature-complete workstation part.