Intel Core i7-2715QE vs Intel Xeon X5560 Comparison

The Intel Xeon X5560 and Intel Core i7-2715QE are both 4-core, 8-thread processors from different Intel generations, yet benchmark results show them locked in an extraordinarily tight competition. The Xeon X5560, a server-focused Nehalem part from 2009, holds a slim edge in every recorded test, while the i7-2715QE, a mobile Sandy Bridge chip from 2011, counters with superior process technology and much lower power draw. The data reveals a generational clash where raw clock speed and cache size nearly neutralize architectural advantages.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark suite, consisting entirely of Cinebench tests, shows the Xeon X5560 winning all five head-to-head comparisons, but by margins so narrow they border on statistical noise. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 276 against the i7-2715QE’s 275, a mere 0.4% delta. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the Xeon posts 1154 versus 1149, again a 0.4% advantage. These are not dominant victories; they are hairline wins that suggest the two CPUs are functionally equivalent in multi-threaded workloads despite their different origins.

Single-core results tell a similar story. In Cinebench R20 single-core, both chips hit exactly 162 points, a tie that the data credits to the Xeon by a 0% delta. The R23 single-core test breaks the deadlock slightly, with the Xeon at 388 and the i7-2715QE at 386, a 0.5% edge for the older processor. The largest margin in the entire comparison is that 0.5% gap, which underscores how closely matched these parts are. The Xeon’s higher base clock of 2.80 GHz and boost clock of 3.20 GHz, compared to 2.10 GHz and 3.00 GHz on the i7, appear to offset the newer architecture’s efficiency gains.

The average benchmark scores reinforce this equilibrium. The Xeon X5560 averages 946 points across its benchmark suite, placing it at the 25th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Pentium Gold G5400T and AMD Phenom II X6 1045T, both with identical 946 averages and 0% deltas. The i7-2715QE averages 942 points, also at the 25th percentile, with the Intel Core i3-8145U at 941 (0.1% delta) and the AMD Athlon X4 860K at 943 (-0.1% delta) as its closest competitors. In practical terms, these two processors sit in the same performance class, separated by less than half a percent in aggregate scoring.

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon X5560 wins outright on raw benchmark scores, taking all five head-to-head tests. Its victories are consistent across both multi-core and single-core workloads, which points to its clock speed advantage as the deciding factor. The 2.80 GHz base clock is 33% higher than the i7-2715QE’s 2.10 GHz, and the 3.20 GHz boost is 6.7% higher than the i7’s 3.00 GHz. This clock advantage allows the older Nehalem design to keep pace with, and slightly surpass, the newer Sandy Bridge architecture in every measured scenario.

The i7-2715QE, despite losing every benchmark, wins in areas the test suite does not capture. Its 45W TDP is less than half the Xeon’s 95W, making it a dramatically more power-efficient part. The 32 nm process node, compared to the Xeon’s 45 nm, contributes to this efficiency and also allows for a smaller die size of 216 mm² versus 263 mm². The i7 also integrates Intel HD 3000 graphics, a feature entirely absent from the Xeon, which requires a separate GPU. For mobile or compact systems where power and space are at a premium, the i7-2715QE is the clear choice, even if its benchmark scores lag by fractions of a percent.

The Xeon’s market segment is Server/Workstation, while the i7 targets Mobile, which explains their differing priorities. The Xeon supports ECC memory and triple-channel DDR3, features aimed at reliability and bandwidth in server environments. The i7 uses dual-channel memory and lacks ECC support, but its integrated graphics and lower power draw make it suitable for laptops and embedded systems. Neither chip wins decisively overall; they win in different contexts based on what the user values more: marginal performance or operational efficiency.

Architecture Differences

The Xeon X5560 is built on the Nehalem architecture, codenamed Gainestown, using a 45 nm process at Intel’s foundry. It packs 731 million transistors into a 263 mm² die. The i7-2715QE uses the Sandy Bridge architecture with a 32 nm process, housing 1,160 million transistors in a smaller 216 mm² die. This transistor density advantage gives the newer chip more computational resources per square millimeter, but the Xeon compensates with higher clock speeds.

Cache configurations differ notably. Both chips have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The divergence appears in L3 cache: the Xeon offers 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-2715QE provides only 6 MB. This 2 MB difference gives the Xeon more headroom for frequently accessed data, which likely contributes to its slight benchmark wins. The i7’s smaller cache is a tradeoff for its lower power envelope and mobile focus.

Memory support also separates the two. The Xeon uses triple-channel DDR3 memory and supports ECC, making it suitable for error-sensitive server workloads. The i7-2715QE uses dual-channel memory with no ECC support, which is typical for consumer and mobile parts. The Xeon’s socket is Intel Socket 1366, a platform designed for multi-socket servers. The i7 uses Intel BGA 1023, a soldered mobile socket that prevents upgrades. The Xeon also features PCIe Gen 2 support, while the i7’s PCIe capabilities are not listed in the data.

The integrated graphics situation is a stark differentiator. The i7-2715QE includes Intel HD 3000, providing built-in display output. The Xeon has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for any video output. This makes the i7 a complete system-on-chip solution for compact designs, whereas the Xeon is purely a compute processor for systems with dedicated graphics.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core benchmarks?

A: The Intel Xeon X5560 wins all multi-core tests. It scores 276 in Cinebench R15, 1154 in R20, and 2749 in R23, compared to the i7-2715QE’s 275, 1149, and 2737 respectively. The deltas range from 0.4% to 0.5% in favor of the Xeon.

Q: How do the single-core scores compare?

A: The Xeon wins narrowly. In Cinebench R20 single-core, both score exactly 162, resulting in a 0% delta. In R23 single-core, the Xeon scores 388 against the i7’s 386, a 0.5% advantage.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The i7-2715QE has a TDP of 45W, while the Xeon X5560 has a TDP of 95W. The i7 draws less than half the power of the Xeon.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: Only the Xeon X5560 supports ECC memory. The i7-2715QE does not list ECC support in its specifications.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The i7-2715QE includes Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics. The Xeon X5560 has no integrated graphics and requires a discrete GPU.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each chip?

A: The Xeon X5560 has an average benchmark score of 946, and the i7-2715QE has an average of 942. Both sit at the 25th percentile of all CPUs.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon X5560 | Intel Core i7-2715QE |

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

| Base Clock | 2.80 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.20 GHz | 3.00 GHz |

| TDP | 95W | 45W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1366 | Intel BGA 1023 |

| Architecture | Nehalem | Sandy Bridge |

| Codename | Gainestown | Sandy Bridge |

| Process Node | 45 nm | 32 nm |

| Transistors | 731 million | 1,160 million |

| Die Size | 263 mm² | 216 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Triple-channel | Dual-channel |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 2 | Not listed |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Intel HD 3000 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2009-03-29 | 2011-01-02 |

| Part Number | SLBF4 | SR076 |

The production status for both processors is end-of-life, and neither has a multiplier unlock feature. The Xeon’s transistor count is 731 million, while the i7 packs 1,160 million, a 58.7% increase for the newer chip. The Xeon’s larger L3 cache of 8 MB versus 6 MB gives it a memory buffering advantage. The i7’s lower TDP of 45W versus 95W makes it suitable for thermally constrained environments. The Xeon targets server workloads with triple-channel memory and ECC, while the i7 targets mobile systems with dual-channel memory and integrated graphics.