Intel Core i7-2700K vs Intel Xeon E3-1515M v5 Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data consistently favors the Intel Xeon E3-1515M v5 across every recorded Cinebench test. The Xeon wins all six head-to-head comparisons, with margins ranging from 4.2% to 4.4% depending on the specific workload. The Core i7-2700K, despite its higher base and boost clocks, trails in every single metric recorded in the database.

The Xeon E3-1515M v5 posts an average benchmark score of 1456, placing it in the 38th percentile of all CPUs. The Core i7-2700K averages 1419, sitting at the 37th percentile. These percentile rankings are very close, but the raw score gap of 37 points represents a consistent, measurable advantage for the Xeon. The Xeon's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE at 1461 (0.3% ahead) and the Intel Core i3-7350K at 1462 (0.4% ahead). The i7-2700K's closest competitor is the AMD Opteron 4274 HE at 1420, a virtual tie, and the Intel Core i7-3720QM at 1421, just 0.1% ahead.

For users choosing between these two processors strictly from the data, the Xeon E3-1515M v5 is the superior performer in every benchmarked workload. The i7-2700K, however, remains competitive within a narrow margin, and its advantage lies in its unlocked multiplier for overclocking, a feature the Xeon lacks. The data suggests the Xeon for out-of-the-box performance, and the i7-2700K only for scenarios where overclocking is a priority.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras. The Xeon E3-1515M v5 is built on the Skylake-H architecture using a 14 nm process node, while the Core i7-2700K uses the Sandy Bridge architecture on a 32 nm process. This generational gap explains much of the performance difference. The Skylake chip integrates 2,300 million transistors on a 171 mm² die, whereas the Sandy Bridge chip packs 1,160 million transistors into a larger 216 mm² die.

Both processors have 4 cores and 8 threads, and both share 8 MB of L3 cache. The L1 and L2 caches are also identical at 64 KB per core and 256 KB per core, respectively. The fundamental difference lies in the process node and microarchitecture. The 14 nm Skylake design is more power-efficient and instruction-efficient than the older 32 nm Sandy Bridge design, even though the i7-2700K runs at higher clock speeds.

Memory support also differs. The Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory across a dual-channel bus, delivering a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. The i7-2700K supports only DDR3 on a dual-channel bus, with a memory bandwidth of 21.3 GB/s. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, a feature absent on the i7. The integrated graphics differ as well: the Xeon has Iris Pro Graphics P580, while the i7 has Intel HD 3000. The Xeon uses PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes, while the i7 uses PCIe Gen 2 with the same lane count. The Xeon is in the Server/Workstation market segment with a BGA 1440 socket, while the i7 is a Desktop part on Socket 1155.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Xeon E3-1515M v5 wins every recorded Cinebench test. The smallest margin appears in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the Xeon scores 298 against the i7-2700K's 286, a 4.2% difference. The same 4.2% margin appears in Cinebench R20 multi-core, with scores of 2115 and 2029. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows the Xeon at 5036 and the i7 at 4833, again a 4.2% gap. Cinebench R23 single-core has the Xeon at 711 and the i7 at 682, a 4.3% delta.

The two largest relative wins for the Xeon come in Cinebench R15. In multi-core, the Xeon scores 507 against 486, a 4.3% advantage. In single-core, the Xeon posts 71 against 68, a 4.4% lead. These margins are consistent across all tests, indicating that the Xeon's architectural efficiency provides a uniform advantage regardless of workload type. The i7-2700K never comes within 4% of the Xeon in any benchmark.

The i7-2700K does have additional Geekbench scores in the database, with a multi-core score of 2294 and a single-core score of 672. However, the Xeon has no recorded Geekbench results, so a direct comparison cannot be made on that test suite. The Cinebench data, which covers both processors equally, tells a clear story of consistent Xeon superiority.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has higher clock speeds?

A: The Core i7-2700K has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz, while the Xeon E3-1515M v5 has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz.

Q: Does the Xeon E3-1515M v5 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon supports ECC memory. The Core i7-2700K does not support ECC memory.

Q: What is the thermal design power difference between the two?

A: The Xeon E3-1515M v5 has a TDP of 45 watts, while the Core i7-2700K has a TDP of 95 watts.

Q: Can either processor be overclocked?

A: The Core i7-2700K has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking. The Xeon E3-1515M v5 has a locked multiplier.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Xeon E3-1515M v5 has an average benchmark score of 1456, compared to 1419 for the Core i7-2700K.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of each processor?

A: The Xeon E3-1515M v5 has a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, while the Core i7-2700K has a memory bandwidth of 21.3 GB/s.

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon E3-1515M v5 wins in every benchmark category that covers both processors. Its advantages are consistent across single-core and multi-core workloads, with margins between 4.2% and 4.4%. This suggests the Xeon is the better choice for any application that relies on CPU computation, from single-threaded tasks to fully parallel workloads. The Xeon's support for DDR4 memory and ECC further positions it for server and workstation environments where memory reliability and bandwidth are critical.

The Core i7-2700K's only recorded advantage lies in its unlocked multiplier. For users who prioritize overclocking, the i7 allows manual clock adjustment, a feature absent on the Xeon. The i7 also has a higher base clock of 3.50 GHz and a higher boost clock of 3.90 GHz, but these clock advantages do not translate into benchmark wins in the recorded data. The i7's lower average benchmark score of 1419 places it just below the Xeon, and its nearest rivals are all within 0.2% of its score, indicating it sits in a very tightly contested performance band.

The Xeon's market segment is Server/Workstation, and its 45-watt TDP makes it a far more power-efficient choice compared to the i7's 95-watt TDP. The Xeon also supports a wider range of memory types (DDR3 and DDR4) and has a newer PCIe generation. The i7-2700K, as a Desktop part, offers the overclocking headroom that the Xeon does not, but the benchmark data shows no performance benefit from that feature in the recorded tests.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The Xeon E3-1515M v5 uses a 14 nm process node, while the Core i7-2700K uses a 32 nm node. The Xeon has 2,300 million transistors on a 171 mm² die; the i7 has 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die. The Xeon has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz, while the i7 has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz.

The Xeon has a TDP of 45 watts, compared to 95 watts for the i7. The Xeon uses the Intel BGA 1440 socket; the i7 uses Intel Socket 1155. The Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s; the i7 supports only DDR3 with a bandwidth of 21.3 GB/s. The Xeon supports ECC memory; the i7 does not. The Xeon has PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes; the i7 has PCIe Gen 2 with 16 lanes.

The integrated graphics differ: the Xeon has Iris Pro Graphics P580, while the i7 has Intel HD 3000. The Xeon is in the Server/Workstation segment, while the i7 is a Desktop part. The Xeon has a locked multiplier; the i7 has an unlocked multiplier. The Xeon was released on January 23, 2016, and the i7 was released on October 23, 2011. The Xeon's launch MSRP was $489, while the i7's launch MSRP was $332. The Xeon has a part number of SR2QT; the i7 has a part number of SR0DG. Both are end-of-life products. The Xeon's architecture is Skylake with the codename Skylake-H; the i7's architecture is Sandy Bridge with the codename Sandy Bridge.