Intel Core i7-1185GRE vs Intel Xeon D-1548 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents a strikingly one-sided picture. Across all six Cinebench comparisons in the database, the Intel Xeon D-1548 claims victory over the Intel Core i7-1185GRE by a virtually identical margin. In the multi-core tests, the Xeon D-1548 scores 777 to 668 in Cinebench R15, a 16.3% advantage. The same delta appears in Cinebench R20, where the Xeon posts 3239 against the Core's 2786, again 16.3% ahead. The gap persists in Cinebench R23 multi-core, with the Xeon at 7713 and the Core at 6635, a 16.2% difference.

The single-core results are equally decisive, which is unexpected given the Core i7-1185GRE's much higher boost clock. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Xeon D-1548 scores 109 versus 94, a 16% edge. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 457 versus 393, and Cinebench R23 single-core shows 1089 versus 936, both at 16.3% in favor of the Xeon. The consistency of these deltas, all hovering near 16%, suggests a fundamental architectural efficiency advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

The Core i7-1185GRE does have one benchmark category entirely absent from the Xeon D-1548's record: Geekbench. Here, the Core scores 4060 multi-core and 1848 single-core. With no comparative Geekbench data for the Xeon, these scores stand alone, but they hint at the Core's strength in memory-latency-sensitive workloads that Cinebench may not fully capture. The database's head-to-head table, however, lists six wins for the Xeon and zero for the Core, making the overall benchmark narrative unambiguous.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1548 wins all six recorded comparisons against the Intel Core i7-1185GRE, with win margins ranging from 16.0% to 16.3% across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core tests.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Xeon D-1548 has an average benchmark score of 2231, while the Core i7-1185GRE averages 2178. This places the Xeon 2.4% higher overall, a modest gap despite the larger margins in individual Cinebench tests.

Q: Are both processors in the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both are recorded at the 47th percentile versus all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy the same relative position in the overall performance distribution despite their differing strengths.

Q: What is the closest rival to each processor according to the database?

A: The Xeon D-1548's nearest rival is the Intel Xeon E5-4648 v3, with an average score of 2227 and a delta of 0.2%. The Core i7-1185GRE's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE, with an average score of 2175 and a delta of 0.2%.

Q: Does the Core i7-1185GRE have any benchmark data the Xeon lacks?

A: Yes, the Core i7-1185GRE has Geekbench scores of 4060 multi-core and 1848 single-core. The Xeon D-1548 has no Geekbench results in the database, so a direct comparison in that test is not possible.

Q: How consistent are the performance differences across Cinebench versions?

A: The deltas are remarkably consistent: 16.3% in R15 multi-core, 16.3% in R20 multi-core, 16.2% in R23 multi-core, and 16.3% in all three single-core tests, with R15 single-core slightly lower at 16.0%.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different Intel design eras. The Intel Xeon D-1548 uses the Broadwell architecture on a 14 nm process, fabricated by Intel with 3,200 million transistors on a 246 mm² die. It belongs to the Xeon D (Broadwell-DE) generation, targeting server and workstation workloads. The Intel Core i7-1185GRE is built on Tiger Lake (Willow Cove-U), using a 10 nm process with a 144 mm² die size; its transistor count is not recorded in the database.

Core configuration diverges sharply. The Xeon D-1548 packs 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Core i7-1185GRE has 4 cores and 8 threads. Cache hierarchies also differ fundamentally. The Xeon offers 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, with a large 1.5 MB L3 per core distributed across the chip. The Core, by contrast, has 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core, but consolidates its L3 into a 12 MB shared pool. This shared cache design is typical of client-oriented parts and can benefit latency-sensitive single-threaded workloads.

Memory support and I/O capabilities reflect their intended markets. The Xeon D-1548 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 in a dual-channel configuration, with ECC memory enabled. It offers PCIe Gen 3 with 24 CPU lanes, a generous allocation for server peripherals. The Core i7-1185GRE supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X, also dual-channel and ECC-capable, but its PCIe implementation is Gen 4 with only 4 CPU lanes, a narrower path suited to mobile form factors. The Core also integrates Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 with 96 execution units, while the Xeon has no integrated graphics recorded.

Production status and release timing separate them further. The Xeon D-1548 launched on 2015-10-31 and remains active; the Core i7-1185GRE launched on 2020-09-01 and is also active. Their sockets differ entirely: the Xeon uses Intel BGA 1667, the Core uses Intel BGA 1449. The part numbers are SR2DJ for the Xeon and SRK0Y for the Core.

Specification Differences

The core count is the most obvious differentiator: 8 cores and 16 threads on the Xeon D-1548 versus 4 cores and 8 threads on the Core i7-1185GRE. Clock speeds tell a contrasting story. The Xeon has a base clock of 2000.00 MHz and a boost of 2.60 GHz; the Core starts lower at 1800.00 MHz but boosts far higher to 4.40 GHz. Despite this 1.80 GHz boost advantage, the Core cannot translate that into Cinebench wins, as the head-to-head data shows.

Thermal design power differs by a factor of three. The Xeon D-1548 draws 45 W, while the Core i7-1185GRE is rated at 15 W. This makes the Core substantially more power-efficient per watt, though the Xeon's higher TDP enables its sustained multi-core performance. The process node also differs: 14 nm for the Xeon, 10 nm for the Core. Die size is 246 mm² versus 144 mm², reflecting the Xeon's larger transistor count of 3,200 million.

Cache specifications diverge in structure. The Xeon's L1 is 64 KB per core, L2 is 256 KB per core, and L3 is 1.5 MB per core. The Core's L1 is 80 KB per core, L2 is 1.25 MB per core, and L3 is 12 MB shared. Memory support differs: DDR3 and DDR4 for the Xeon, DDR4 and LPDDR4X for the Core. PCIe capabilities are notably different, with the Xeon offering Gen 3 and 24 lanes versus Gen 4 and 4 lanes for the Core. The market segments are separate: Server/Workstation for the Xeon, Mobile for the Core. The launch MSRP is $555 for the Xeon and $490 for the Core. Both have ECC memory support and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to the Intel Xeon D-1548 as the superior performer in every recorded Cinebench test. Its 16.3% lead in multi-core workloads is substantial, and its single-core advantage, though narrower at 16.0% to 16.3%, is still consistent and meaningful. The Xeon's 8-core, 16-thread configuration clearly outmuscles the Core's 4-core, 8-thread design in heavily threaded rendering tasks, and the data shows it also wins where clock speed should have favored the Core.

However, the Core i7-1185GRE is not without merit. Its 15 W TDP versus the Xeon's 45 W makes it dramatically more power-efficient, a critical factor for mobile deployments. Its Geekbench scores of 4060 multi-core and 1848 single-core suggest strong performance in workloads not covered by Cinebench. The Core also brings integrated Iris Xe graphics, PCIe Gen 4 support, and a 10 nm process, all of which point to a more modern design philosophy.

The database's nearest-rival data places both processors at the 47th percentile, indicating they are direct competitors in the overall performance hierarchy. The Xeon D-1548's average score of 2231 sits just 2.4% above the Core's 2178. The Xeon is the choice for raw compute throughput, especially in server or workstation contexts where its 24 PCIe lanes and ECC memory support shine. The Core is the choice for power-constrained, space-limited environments where integrated graphics and lower heat output matter more than peak Cinebench scores.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon D-1548 wins decisively in rendering and CPU-intensive multi-threaded workloads. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 7713 versus the Core's 6635 represents a 16.2% advantage, and the same pattern holds in R15 and R20. The Xeon also wins single-core Cinebench tests, which is notable given the Core's higher boost clock. For database transactions, virtualization hosts, or any long-running server workload where sustained performance is paramount, the Xeon's 8 cores and 16 threads provide a clear edge. Its 24 PCIe Gen 3 lanes also make it suitable for systems requiring multiple expansion cards or high-speed networking.

The Intel Core i7-1185GRE wins in efficiency and portability. Its 15 W TDP is one-third of the Xeon's 45 W, making it suitable for fanless or lightly cooled mobile designs. Its integrated Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 with 96 execution units eliminates the need for a discrete GPU in many applications, a capability the Xeon lacks entirely. The Core's PCIe Gen 4 interface, though limited to 4 lanes, offers higher per-lane bandwidth for modern NVMe storage. Its 12 MB shared L3 cache and 10 nm process suggest better performance in latency-sensitive, single-threaded tasks that do not scale across many cores.

The Geekbench scores for the Core, 4060 multi-core and 1848 single-core, indicate strong general-purpose performance that might not appear in Cinebench's rendering-focused tests. The Core's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE and Intel Core i5-1145G7E, both with average scores within 0.2%, positioning it as a competitive mid-range mobile option. The Xeon's nearest rivals, including the Intel Xeon E5-4648 v3 and Core i7-5775C, all score within 0.3% of its 2231 average, showing it holds its own against a broad range of desktop and server parts from its era.

In summary, the Xeon D-1548 is the compute-first choice, winning every head-to-head Cinebench test and offering server-grade I/O and memory features. The Core i7-1185GRE is the efficiency-first choice, trading raw benchmark dominance for a fraction of the power draw, integrated graphics, and a more recent manufacturing process. The database records six wins for the Xeon and zero for the Core, but the Core's lower TDP and modern feature set make it the sensible option for mobile or embedded designs where thermal headroom is the limiting factor.