Intel Core i7-1180G7 vs Intel Xeon E5-2620 v3 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-1180G7 and Intel Xeon E5-2620 v3 are two processors from different corners of Intel's catalog: a low-power mobile chip built for thin laptops, and a server-class part designed for workstations and data centers. The database shows the i7-1180G7 winning every Cinebench benchmark it shares with the Xeon, though by margins of only 1.0 to 1.2 percent. The Xeon counters with more cores, ECC memory support, and a much wider memory and PCIe interface. The right choice depends entirely on whether you need the i7's efficiency and single-thread speed or the Xeon's platform features.

The Verdict

The i7-1180G7 is the faster CPU in all six recorded Cinebench tests. It leads the Xeon E5-2620 v3 by 1.2 percent in Cinebench R15 multi-core (672 vs 664), by 1.1 percent in R15 single-core (94 vs 93), by 1.2 percent in R20 multi-core (2802 vs 2769), by 1.0 percent in R20 single-core (395 vs 391), by 1.2 percent in R23 multi-core (6672 vs 6595), and by 1.2 percent in R23 single-core (942 vs 931). The i7 also does this with a TDP of just 9 W, compared to the Xeon's 85 W. For any workload that fits within the i7's 4 cores and 8 threads, it is the clear performance and efficiency winner.

The Xeon E5-2620 v3, however, is the only one of the two that supports ECC memory, offers quad-channel DDR4 with 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth, and provides 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. It also has 6 cores and 12 threads, which can help in heavily threaded server tasks that the i7's 4 cores cannot handle as gracefully. The Xeon has no integrated graphics, so it requires a discrete GPU, while the i7 includes Iris Xe-LP Graphics with 96 execution units. If you need a self-contained mobile processor, the i7 is the obvious pick. If you are building a server or workstation that demands ECC, high memory bandwidth, and extensive PCIe connectivity, the Xeon is the only option that provides those features.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different design generations and process nodes. The i7-1180G7 uses Intel's Tiger Lake architecture on a 10 nm process, with a die size of 144 mm². The Xeon E5-2620 v3 is based on Haswell-EP on a 22 nm process, with a die size of 356 mm² and 2,600 million transistors. The i7 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Xeon has 6 cores and 12 threads. Cache configurations differ as well: the i7 has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The Xeon has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 15 MB of shared L3.

Clock speeds are a major differentiator. The i7 runs at a base of 1.30 GHz and boosts to 4.60 GHz. The Xeon has a base of 2.40 GHz and a boost of 3.20 GHz. The i7's higher boost clock gives it a significant advantage in single-threaded workloads, which is reflected in the benchmark results. Memory support also diverges: the i7 uses LPDDR4X over a dual-channel bus with 34.1 GB/s of bandwidth, while the Xeon uses DDR4 over a quad-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s. The Xeon supports ECC memory, the i7 does not. PCIe connectivity differs: the i7 provides Gen 4 with 4 lanes, the Xeon provides Gen 3 with 40 lanes. The i7 includes integrated Iris Xe-LP Graphics with 96 execution units; the Xeon has no integrated graphics. The i7 is a mobile part on Intel BGA 1598, while the Xeon is a server/workstation part on Intel Socket 2011-3. The i7 launched on 2021-03-30, the Xeon on 2014-09-07. Both are end-of-life.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The Xeon E5-2620 v3 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Core i7-1180G7 has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which CPU has the higher boost clock?

A: The i7-1180G7 boosts to 4.60 GHz, compared to the Xeon's 3.20 GHz.

Q: Does the Xeon support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon E5-2620 v3 supports ECC memory; the i7-1180G7 does not.

Q: Which CPU has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Xeon offers 59.7 GB/s over quad-channel DDR4, while the i7 provides 34.1 GB/s over dual-channel LPDDR4X.

Q: Which CPU wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The i7-1180G7 scores 6672 versus 6595 for the Xeon, a 1.2 percent lead.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The i7-1180G7 has a TDP of 9 W, the Xeon E5-2620 v3 has a TDP of 85 W.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core i7-1180G7 | Intel Xeon E5-2620 v3 |

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

| Cores | 4 | 6 |

| Threads | 8 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 1.30 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.60 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| TDP | 9 W | 85 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1598 | Intel Socket 2011-3 |

| Architecture | Tiger Lake | Haswell |

| Codename | Tiger Lake-U | Haswell-EP |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 22 nm |

| Die Size | 144 mm² | 356 mm² |

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

| L2 Cache (per core) | 1.25 MB | 256 KB |

| L3 Cache (shared) | 12 MB | 15 MB |

| Memory Support | LPDDR4X | DDR4 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Quad-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 34.1 GB/s | 59.7 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 4 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 40 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 96EU | None |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Server/Workstation |

| Release Date | 2021-03-30 | 2014-09-07 |

| Launch MSRP | $426 | $417 |

| Part Number | SRK0D | SR207 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records six Cinebench tests, and the i7-1180G7 wins all of them. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7 scores 672 against the Xeon's 664, a 1.2 percent lead. In R15 single-core, the i7 scores 94 versus 93, a 1.1 percent lead. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i7 takes multi-core with 2802 against 2769, a 1.2 percent margin, and single-core with 395 against 391, a 1.0 percent margin. In Cinebench R23, the i7 leads multi-core with 6672 versus 6595, a 1.2 percent margin, and single-core with 942 versus 931, also a 1.2 percent margin.

The average benchmark score for the i7-1180G7 is 1930, while the Xeon E5-2620 v3 sits at 1907. Both processors land in the 43rd percentile of all CPUs in the database. The i7's nearest rivals include the AMD Opteron 6348 with an identical average score of 1930, the Intel Core i3-10300 at 1934 (a 0.2 percent difference), the Intel Xeon E3-1231 v3 at 1925 (0.3 percent), and the Intel Core i3-10305T at 1922 (0.4 percent). The Xeon's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E3-1285 v4 at 1908 (0 percent), the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE at 1910 (0.2 percent), the Intel Xeon E3-1575M v5 at 1910 (0.2 percent), and the Intel Core i3-9100F at 1903 (0.2 percent). These figures show that both CPUs sit in a tight performance cluster, but the i7 consistently edges ahead in every Cinebench workload.

The margins are small, but they are consistent across single- and multi-threaded tests. The i7's higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz versus 3.20 GHz, combined with its newer 10 nm Tiger Lake design, likely explains its advantage despite having fewer cores. The Xeon's extra cores and threads do not overcome the clock deficit in these benchmarks. For users who prioritize raw Cinebench performance, the i7-1180G7 is the better choice. For those who need the Xeon's ECC support, quad-channel memory, and 40 PCIe lanes, the Xeon remains the only viable option, even though it trails in every recorded Cinebench score.