Intel Core i7-1185GRE vs Intel Xeon E5-2629 v3 Comparison

The Intel Xeon E5-2629 v3 and the Intel Core i7-1185GRE are two processors from different eras and market segments. The Xeon is a server-class Haswell-EP chip with eight cores and an 85 W TDP, while the Core i7 is a mobile Tiger Lake-U part with four cores and a 15 W TDP. In the database's head-to-head Cinebench results, the Xeon wins every test by a margin of roughly 19 percent. This analysis examines the architecture, benchmark performance, and use cases for each processor.

The Verdict

The data shows a clear winner for compute-heavy workloads. The Xeon E5-2629 v3 outperforms the Core i7-1185GRE in every recorded Cinebench test. In multi-core R23, the Xeon scores 7893 against 6635, a 19 percent lead. Single-core R23 also goes to the Xeon, 1114 to 936, a 19 percent advantage. The Xeon's eight cores and sixteen threads give it a structural edge in threaded rendering, while its higher base and boost clocks (2.40 GHz and 3.20 GHz) help in single-threaded tasks. The Core i7-1185GRE, however, is a mobile part with a 15 W TDP, integrated Iris Xe-LP graphics, and a smaller footprint. It is the appropriate choice for low-power or compact systems where the Xeon's 85 W TDP and server socket are impractical. For anyone building a workstation or server that prioritizes raw Cinebench performance, the Xeon is the pick. For mobile or embedded systems that need a capable CPU with integrated graphics, the Core i7 is the only one of the two that fits.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on different architectures and process nodes. The Xeon E5-2629 v3 uses the Haswell-EP architecture on a 22 nm process, with 2,600 million transistors on a 356 mm² die. The Core i7-1185GRE uses the Tiger Lake-U architecture (Willow Cove) on a 10 nm process, with a 144 mm² die (transistor count not recorded). The Xeon has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Core i7 has 4 cores and 8 threads. Cache hierarchies differ: the Xeon has 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, plus 20 MB of shared L3. The Core i7 has 80 KB of L1 and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with 12 MB of shared L3. The Xeon supports quad-channel DDR3 and DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s, while the Core i7 supports dual-channel DDR4 and LPDDR4X (bandwidth not recorded). Both support ECC memory. The Xeon provides PCIe Gen 3 with 40 lanes (CPU only), while the Core i7 provides PCIe Gen 4 with 4 lanes (CPU only). The Xeon has no integrated graphics; the Core i7 includes Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 with 96 execution units. The Xeon is a server/workstation part with an 85 W TDP, while the Core i7 is a mobile part with a 15 W TDP. The Xeon was released in September 2014 and is end-of-life; the Core i7 was released in September 2020 and is active. The Core i7 has a launch MSRP of $490.

Where Each One Wins

In the recorded head-to-head benchmarks, the Xeon E5-2629 v3 wins all six Cinebench tests. The largest margin is in R15 single-core, where the Xeon leads by 19.1 percent (112 vs 94). The smallest margin is in R20 single-core, at 18.8 percent (467 vs 393). The Xeon's multi-core advantage is consistent: 19 percent in R15, R20, and R23. The Core i7-1185GRE does not win any of the compared tests. However, the Core i7 has additional Geekbench scores in the database: 4060 multi-core and 1848 single-core. These are not part of the head-to-head comparison, but they indicate that the Core i7 is a capable performer in its own right. The Core i7's strengths lie outside the Cinebench suite: it has integrated graphics, a much lower TDP (15 W vs 85 W), and a smaller die (144 mm² vs 356 mm²). For workloads that rely on the integrated GPU or require minimal power draw, the Core i7 is the better fit. For CPU-bound rendering and multi-threaded tasks, the Xeon is the clear winner.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2629 v3 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i7-1185GRE has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Xeon E5-2629 v3 scores 7893, which is 19 percent higher than the Core i7-1185GRE's 6635.

Q: Does the Core i7-1185GRE have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 with 96 execution units. The Xeon E5-2629 v3 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: The Xeon E5-2629 v3 has an 85 W TDP, while the Core i7-1185GRE has a 15 W TDP.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Both support ECC memory.

Q: What is the memory bus width?

A: The Xeon uses quad-channel memory, while the Core i7 uses dual-channel.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records six Cinebench tests, and the Xeon E5-2629 v3 wins all of them. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 795 against the Core i7's 668, a 19 percent lead. In R15 single-core, the Xeon scores 112 to 94, a 19.1 percent advantage. Moving to R20, the Xeon's multi-core score is 3315 versus 2786, again 19 percent higher. Single-core R20 shows the Xeon at 467 and the Core i7 at 393, an 18.8 percent margin. In R23 multi-core, the Xeon scores 7893 to 6635, a 19 percent difference. Finally, R23 single-core gives the Xeon 1114 and the Core i7 936, a 19 percent lead. The consistency of these margins, all between 18.8 and 19.1 percent, suggests that the Xeon's advantage is not workload-specific but rather a fundamental performance gap. The Core i7's higher boost clock (4.40 GHz vs 3.20 GHz) does not translate into a win in any Cinebench test, despite the Xeon's lower boost clock. The Xeon also has a higher base clock (2.40 GHz vs 1800 MHz) and a much higher TDP (85 W vs 15 W), which allows it to sustain higher performance under load. The Xeon's larger L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB) and higher core count are the most prominent architectural differences that align with its benchmark dominance.