Intel Core i7-1250U vs Intel Xeon Gold 6348 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data delivers a decisive verdict: the Intel Xeon Gold 6348 wins every single head-to-head comparison in the database, taking all six recorded tests. The Core i7-1250U does not post a single victory in any of the shared benchmark workloads. The margins are substantial, though they vary meaningfully between single-threaded and multi-threaded tests.

In multi-core workloads, the Xeon Gold 6348 demonstrates overwhelming dominance. The Cinebench R23 multi-core test shows the Xeon scoring 44066 against the i7-1250U's 7069, a delta of 84% in favor of the server processor. That is the largest gap recorded in the head-to-head set. Cinebench R20 multi-core follows a similar pattern, with the Xeon at 18507 versus 3983 for the i7-1250U, a 78.5% difference. The Cinebench R15 multi-core result shows 4441 for the Xeon against 1172.94 for the i7-1250U, a 73.6% gap. These numbers indicate that in heavily threaded rendering tasks, the Xeon Gold 6348 is operating in a completely different performance class.

Single-core results tell a slightly different story, but the Xeon still wins convincingly. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Xeon Gold 6348 scores 6221 while the i7-1250U manages 1574, a 74.7% deficit for the mobile chip. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 2612 for the Xeon versus 562 for the i7-1250U, another 78.5% gap. The closest margin in the entire comparison is Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Xeon's 626 beats the i7-1250U's 226 by 63.9%. Even in the least favorable comparison for the Xeon, it still leads by nearly two-thirds.

The average benchmark scores in the database reinforce this hierarchy. The i7-1250U holds an average benchmark score of 13351, placing it at the 68th percentile of all CPUs. The Xeon Gold 6348 averages 12746, which sits at the 67th percentile. These aggregate figures are close, but they obscure the fact that the Xeon's benchmark profile is built on a much smaller set of tests, all of which are Cinebench workloads. The i7-1250U has a broader benchmark portfolio that includes PassMark tests, which pull its average up despite losing every head-to-head test.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel architectures and target entirely different market segments. The Core i7-1250U is built on Alder Lake, specifically the Alder Lake-U mobile variant, and uses a 10 nm process node. It is a mobile part with 10 cores and 12 threads, a base clock of 1100 MHz, and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The Xeon Gold 6348 is an Ice Lake-SP server processor, also on a 10 nm node, with 28 cores and 56 threads. Its base clock is 2.60 GHz and its boost clock is 3.50 GHz.

The cache hierarchy differs substantially. The i7-1250U has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Xeon Gold 6348 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 42 MB of shared L3 cache. While the per-core L1 and L2 allocations are smaller on the Xeon, its total L3 capacity is 3.5 times larger, which is critical for server workloads that access large datasets.

Memory support is another major differentiator. The i7-1250U supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus and does not support ECC memory. The Xeon Gold 6348 supports DDR4 only, but over an eight-channel memory bus with a recorded memory bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s. It also supports ECC memory, which is essential for error-sensitive server environments. The Xeon also provides PCIe Gen 4 with 64 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-1250U offers PCIe Gen 4 without a specified lane count.

Integrated graphics are present on the i7-1250U in the form of Iris Xe 96EU, while the Xeon Gold 6348 has no integrated graphics at all. The i7-1250U uses the Intel BGA 1781 socket and is classified as a mobile processor, whereas the Xeon Gold 6348 uses Intel Socket 4189 and is classified as a server/workstation part. The Xeon has a TDP of 235 watts, while the i7-1250U has a TDP of just 9 watts. The release dates also differ, with the i7-1250U launching on 2022-02-22 and the Xeon Gold 6348 launching on 2021-04-05.

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon Gold 6348 wins everywhere in the head-to-head data, but the nature of its wins suggests specific use cases. In multi-threaded rendering, video encoding, scientific simulation, and any workload that scales across many cores, the Xeon's 28 cores and 56 threads deliver results that the 10-core, 12-thread i7-1250U cannot approach. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 44066 versus 7069 is a 6.2x advantage, which translates directly to faster completion times in CPU-bound batch workloads. The Xeon's 42 MB of shared L3 cache and eight-channel memory bus with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth further support memory-intensive server tasks.

The i7-1250U does have a role, but it is not defined by raw compute performance. Its 9 watt TDP makes it suitable for fanless or ultra-portable designs where power consumption is the primary constraint. Its integrated Iris Xe 96EU graphics provide display output and basic GPU acceleration without a discrete graphics card. The dual-channel DDR4/DDR5 memory support offers flexibility for thin-and-light laptops. The i7-1250U's boost clock of 4.70 GHz is higher than the Xeon's 3.50 GHz, which helps in short bursts of single-threaded activity, though the benchmark data shows the Xeon still wins single-core tests by a wide margin due to its higher base architecture efficiency in the tested workloads.

For users who need a processor for everyday mobile tasks, web browsing, office productivity, and light content creation, the i7-1250U is a functional choice. For users who need sustained multi-core performance for server workloads, virtualization, database processing, or heavy compute, the Xeon Gold 6348 is the only viable option in this comparison. The data does not support any scenario where the i7-1250U outperforms the Xeon in the tested benchmarks.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon Gold 6348 has 28 cores and 56 threads, while the Intel Core i7-1250U has 10 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest gap is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Xeon Gold 6348 scores 44066 versus the i7-1250U's 7069, a delta of 84% in favor of the Xeon.

Q: Does the i7-1250U win any benchmark in the head-to-head comparison?

A: No, the i7-1250U wins zero tests. The Xeon Gold 6348 wins all six recorded head-to-head benchmarks.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon Gold 6348 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i7-1250U does not support ECC memory.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference between the two?

A: The Xeon Gold 6348 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s over an eight-channel DDR4 bus. The i7-1250U uses a dual-channel bus with DDR4 or DDR5 support, but no bandwidth figure is recorded in the database.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i7-1250U has an average benchmark score of 13351 at the 68th percentile, while the Xeon Gold 6348 has an average of 12746 at the 67th percentile. Despite the Xeon winning every head-to-head test, the i7-1250U's broader benchmark portfolio yields a slightly higher average.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-1250U | Intel Xeon Gold 6348 |

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

| Cores | 10 | 28 |

| Threads | 12 | 56 |

| Base Clock | 1100 MHz | 2.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.70 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| TDP | 9 watts | 235 watts |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1781 | Intel Socket 4189 |

| Architecture | Alder Lake | Ice Lake |

| Codename | Alder Lake-U | Ice Lake-SP |

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

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 42 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Eight-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 204.8 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 4 | Gen 4, 64 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe 96EU | None |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Server/Workstation |

| Release Date | 2022-02-22 | 2021-04-05 |

| Part Number | Not recorded | SRKHPCD8068904572204 |

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous. The Intel Xeon Gold 6348 is the superior processor in every measured benchmark. It wins all six head-to-head tests, with deltas ranging from 63.9% to 84% in its favor. For any workload that relies on CPU compute, the Xeon Gold 6348 is the correct choice. Its 28 cores, 56 threads, 42 MB of L3 cache, eight-channel memory bus, and 204.8 GB/s memory bandwidth make it a server-class part designed for sustained, heavy workloads. The 235 watt TDP is a clear indicator of its intended environment: a server rack or workstation with adequate cooling and power delivery.

The Intel Core i7-1250U is not a competitor to the Xeon Gold 6348 in raw performance. Its 9 watt TDP, dual-channel memory, and mobile socket define it as an ultra-low-power part for laptops and compact devices. The i7-1250U does have integrated Iris Xe 96EU graphics, which the Xeon lacks, and it supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. Its boost clock of 4.70 GHz is higher than the Xeon's 3.50 GHz, but the benchmark data shows this does not translate into a single-core win.

Who should pick which? The Xeon Gold 6348 is for server administrators, workstation builders, and anyone running multi-threaded workloads that scale across many cores. The i7-1250U is for mobile device manufacturers and users who prioritize power efficiency and portability over compute performance. The average benchmark scores in the database are close, 13351 for the i7-1250U and 12746 for the Xeon, but this is misleading. The i7-1250U's average is buoyed by a wider range of tests, including PassMark workloads, while the Xeon's average is based solely on Cinebench results. In direct comparison, the Xeon Gold 6348 is the clear winner, and the i7-1250U should only be chosen when its low power draw and mobile form factor are the primary requirements.