Intel Core i7-1185GRE vs Intel Xeon D-1557 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clean sweep for the Intel Xeon D-1557 across all six shared Cinebench tests, with the closest margin still exceeding 18%. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon D-1557 scores 795 against 668 for the Core i7-1185GRE, a 19% advantage. The single-core R15 result follows the same pattern: 112 versus 94, a 19.1% lead. These are not marginal differences; the Xeon D-1557 consistently outpaces the Core i7-1185GRE by roughly one-fifth of the latter's score in every workload measured.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core test shows the Xeon D-1557 at 3314 points, while the Core i7-1185GRE manages 2786, again a 19% gap. The single-core R20 numbers are 467 versus 393, an 18.8% difference. The pattern holds in R23: the Xeon D-1557 records 7892 multi-core and 1114 single-core, against 6635 and 936 for the Core i7-1185GRE, representing 18.9% and 19% leads respectively. Notably, the Core i7-1185GRE has additional Geekbench scores in the database (4060 multi-core, 1848 single-core), but no comparable Geekbench data exists for the Xeon D-1557, so those results cannot be used for a direct comparison.

The average benchmark score places the Xeon D-1557 at 2282, which is 104 points higher than the Core i7-1185GRE's 2178. Both processors sit at the 47th percentile among all CPUs tracked, indicating that despite the Xeon's wins in these tests, neither chip rises above the median performance tier in the broader database. The nearest rivals for the Xeon D-1557 include the Intel Xeon E5-2629 v3 at 2283 (0% delta), the Intel Core i3-10305 at 2264 (0.8% higher), the Intel Core i5-10400H at 2303 (0.9% lower), and the Intel Core i7-1068NG7 at 2259 (1% higher). For the Core i7-1185GRE, the closest competitors are the AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE at 2175 (0.2% higher), the Intel Core i5-1145G7E at 2174 (0.2% higher), the Intel Core i5-7640X at 2167 (0.5% higher), and the Intel Core i7-5950HQ at 2158 (1% higher). These rival clusters show that both chips are tightly grouped with comparable alternatives, yet the Xeon D-1557 holds a clear internal advantage over the Core i7-1185GRE.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design eras and market intents. The Intel Xeon D-1557 uses the Broadwell architecture, specifically the Broadwell-DE generation, built on a 14 nm process node with a die size of 246 mm² and 3,200 million transistors. It packs 12 cores and 24 threads, with a base clock of 1500 MHz and a boost clock of 2.10 GHz. The Core i7-1185GRE, by contrast, uses the Tiger Lake architecture (Willow Cove-U), fabricated on a 10 nm process with a 144 mm² die, and contains 4 cores and 8 threads. Its base clock is 1800 MHz, boosting to 4.40 GHz. The transistor count for the Core i7-1185GRE is not recorded in the database.

Cache hierarchies diverge sharply. The Xeon D-1557 provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 1.5 MB of L3 per core, which for 12 cores amounts to 18 MB distributed across the die. The Core i7-1185GRE offers 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and a shared 12 MB L3 cache. The Xeon's per-core L3 is smaller, but the aggregate is larger due to the higher core count. Memory support also differs: the Xeon D-1557 accepts DDR3 and DDR4, while the Core i7-1185GRE supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X. Both use dual-channel memory buses, and both support ECC memory, a notable commonality given the mobile target of the Core i7.

PCIe connectivity is another distinguishing factor. The Xeon D-1557 provides PCIe Gen 3 with 24 lanes from the CPU, whereas the Core i7-1185GRE offers PCIe Gen 4 but only 4 lanes. The integrated graphics situation is one-sided: the Core i7-1185GRE includes Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 96EU, while the Xeon D-1557 has no integrated graphics recorded. The sockets are incompatible (Intel BGA 1667 for the Xeon, Intel BGA 1449 for the Core), and the market segments differ (Server/Workstation versus Mobile). Both chips are marked as Active in production status, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core Cinebench tests?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1557 wins all three multi-core tests in the database. It scores 795 in R15, 3314 in R20, and 7892 in R23, versus 668, 2786, and 6635 for the Core i7-1185GRE, representing 19%, 19%, and 18.9% leads respectively.

Q: Does the Core i7-1185GRE have any benchmark wins over the Xeon D-1557?

A: No. In the six shared Cinebench tests, the Xeon D-1557 wins all of them. The Core i7-1185GRE has additional Geekbench scores (4060 multi-core, 1848 single-core), but the Xeon D-1557 has no recorded Geekbench results, so no head-to-head comparison is possible for that test.

Q: How do the core counts and clocks compare?

A: The Xeon D-1557 has 12 cores and 24 threads, with a 1500 MHz base and 2.10 GHz boost. The Core i7-1185GRE has 4 cores and 8 threads, with an 1800 MHz base and 4.40 GHz boost. The Core i7 has higher clock speeds on paper, but the Xeon's higher core count leads to superior multi-threaded performance in the recorded benchmarks.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Xeon D-1557 and the Core i7-1185GRE have ECC memory support recorded in the database. This is unusual for a mobile-oriented chip like the Core i7-1185GRE and may matter for reliability-sensitive workloads.

Q: What are the socket and platform differences?

A: The Xeon D-1557 uses Intel BGA 1667, while the Core i7-1185GRE uses Intel BGA 1449. These sockets are not interchangeable. The Xeon is classified as a Server/Workstation part, while the Core i7 is a Mobile part.

Q: How does the average benchmark score compare between the two?

A: The Xeon D-1557 has an average benchmark score of 2282, which is 104 points higher than the Core i7-1185GRE's 2178. Both sit at the 47th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon D-1557 | Intel Core i7-1185GRE |

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

| Cores | 12 | 4 |

| Threads | 24 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 1500 MHz | 1800 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 2.10 GHz | 4.40 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1667 | Intel BGA 1449 |

| Architecture | Broadwell | Tiger Lake |

| Codename | Broadwell | Tiger Lake-U |

| Generation | Xeon D (Broadwell-DE) | Core i7 (Willow Cove-U) |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 10 nm |

| Transistors | 3,200 million | Not recorded |

| Die Size | 246 mm² | 144 mm² |

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

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

| L3 Cache | 1.5 MB per core | 12 MB shared |

| Memory Support | DDR3, DDR4 | DDR4, LPDDR4X |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 24 Lanes | Gen 4, 4 Lanes |

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

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2016-02-23 | 2020-09-01 |

| Launch MSRP | $694 | $490 |

| Part Number | SR2M4 | SRK0Y |

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon D-1557 wins every single benchmark that both chips share. In multi-core workloads, its 12-core, 24-thread configuration delivers 19% more performance in Cinebench R15, 19% more in R20, and 18.9% more in R23 compared to the Core i7-1185GRE. Even in single-core tests, where the Core i7's higher 4.40 GHz boost clock might be expected to help, the Xeon D-1557 still comes out ahead: 19.1% in R15, 18.8% in R20, and 19% in R23. This suggests that the Xeon's older but more numerous cores are more effective in these specific rendering workloads, or that the Core i7's power constraints limit its sustained performance.

The Core i7-1185GRE does not win any recorded head-to-head test, but it holds advantages in other dimensions. Its 15 W TDP is one-third of the Xeon's 45 W, making it far more suitable for battery-powered or thermally constrained environments. It includes integrated Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 96EU, which the Xeon lacks entirely, so tasks requiring built-in display output or GPU acceleration would favor the Core i7. The Core i7 also supports PCIe Gen 4, albeit with only 4 lanes, which offers higher per-lane bandwidth than the Xeon's Gen 3 with 24 lanes. The Core i7's newer 10 nm process and 144 mm² die suggest better power efficiency per unit of area, though the database does not record efficiency metrics.

The Xeon D-1557, meanwhile, targets server and workstation deployments. Its 24 PCIe Gen 3 lanes provide substantial expansion capacity, and its larger die and transistor count reflect a design optimized for throughput rather than portability. The Xeon's support for DDR3 and DDR4 gives flexibility in memory sourcing, while the Core i7's LPDDR4X support enables low-power memory configurations.

The Verdict

The data does not support a single universal winner; the choice depends entirely on the use case. For raw CPU compute, the Intel Xeon D-1557 is unequivocally the stronger part. It outperforms the Core i7-1185GRE by 19% in every recorded Cinebench test, across both multi-core and single-core workloads. Its 12 cores and 24 threads provide a decisive advantage in rendering, compilation, or any parallel workload, and its 24 PCIe Gen 3 lanes make it suitable for server-style expansion. The Xeon D-1557 also has a higher average benchmark score (2282 versus 2178) and a launch MSRP of $694.

The Core i7-1185GRE, with a launch MSRP of $490, is the better fit for mobile or low-power systems. Its 15 W TDP allows deployment in fanless or compact chassis where the Xeon's 45 W would be impractical. The integrated Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 96EU provides a complete platform without a discrete GPU, and the 4.40 GHz boost clock offers high single-thread responsiveness when power is available. The Core i7's 10 nm process and 144 mm² die indicate a more modern fabrication, and its PCIe Gen 4 support, while limited to 4 lanes, delivers faster per-lane throughput.

Users who need maximum processing throughput in a server or workstation context should choose the Xeon D-1557. Users who prioritize low power, integrated graphics, or a mobile form factor should choose the Core i7-1185GRE. The benchmark data shows no scenario in the recorded tests where the Core i7 wins, but its feature set addresses a different set of requirements that the numbers alone do not capture. Both processors occupy the same 47th percentile among all CPUs, indicating comparable overall standing in the broader market despite their divergent architectures and design goals.