Intel Core i7-3720QM vs Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 Comparison

The Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 and the Intel Core i7-3720QM are both quad-core, eight-thread processors, but they come from different eras and target different segments. The Xeon is a Skylake-H part from 2015, built for server and workstation use, while the Core i7 is a 2012 Ivy Bridge mobile part. The data shows a consistent, though not overwhelming, performance advantage for the Xeon across every recorded head-to-head benchmark, despite the Core i7 having a higher base and boost clock. This analysis will break down where each processor wins, what the numbers mean for real-world use, and how their architectures and specifications diverge.

Where Each One Wins

Based strictly on the recorded benchmarks, the Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 wins every single head-to-head matchup. There are six head-to-head tests in the database, and the Xeon takes all six. The Core i7-7200QM has zero wins. The Xeon leads by a consistent margin of roughly 6% across both single-core and multi-core tests. For instance, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Xeon scores 4999 against the Core i7's 4718, a delta of 6%. In single-core R23, the Xeon scores 705 against 666, a delta of 5.9%. There is no workload category in the database where the Core i7 pulls ahead.

The Xeon's advantage is not a fluke of a single test. The deltas are remarkably uniform, ranging from 5.9% to 7.6% across all six benchmarks. This suggests a consistent architectural or efficiency advantage rather than a test-specific quirk. The largest single-core win for the Xeon is in Cinebench R15, where it scores 71 versus 66, a 7.6% lead. The largest multi-core win is also in R15, with a 5.9% lead (503 vs 475). The uniformity of these margins indicates that the Xeon is simply more efficient per clock cycle, a likely benefit of its newer Skylake architecture versus the Ivy Bridge design.

The Core i7 does, however, have a notable advantage in one area not covered by the head-to-head tests: the Geekbench tests. The database includes Geekbench scores for the Core i7 only: 2457 multi-core and 726 single-core. These scores are not part of the head-to-head comparison, so they cannot be directly compared to the Xeon, but they do indicate the Core i7 is a capable performer in its own right. However, for the direct comparison, the Xeon is the clear winner in all six recorded matchups.

The average benchmark score field also supports this. The Xeon has an average of 1446, while the Core i7 has an average of 1421. The Xeon's percentile ranking among all CPUs is 38, while the Core i7 sits at 37. This means the Xeon is slightly better positioned relative to the entire CPU landscape, though both are in the lower-middle range of performance.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the recorded data, the Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 is the superior processor for any user who prioritizes raw processing power. It wins every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison and holds a higher average benchmark score and a higher percentile ranking. The Xeon is the correct choice for multi-threaded workloads like video rendering or compiling, as evidenced by its consistent lead in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests. It also leads in single-threaded tasks, making it a better choice for general responsiveness and legacy software.

The Core i7-7200QM is not without a reason for consideration, but that reason is not found in the benchmark data. It has a higher base clock (2.60 GHz) and boost clock (3.60 GHz) compared to the Xeon (2.00 GHz base, 3.80 GHz boost). However, these higher clocks do not translate into better performance in the recorded tests. The Core i7 also has a higher TDP (45W) than the Xeon (25W), meaning it consumes more power for less output. The only reason to choose the Core i7 would be if the socket or platform compatibility is the deciding factor, but the database does not provide sufficient data to evaluate that.

For a user building a system from scratch, the data clearly selects the Xeon E3-1505L v5. It offers 6% more performance across the board, and it does so while consuming 20 watts less power. The Core i7-3720QM is an older design that, despite its clock speed advantage, cannot keep up with the newer architecture. The Xeon wins on every single benchmark in the database.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark section is unambiguous. The Xeon E3-1505L v5 wins all six tests. The largest win is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Xeon scores 71 and the Core i7 scores 66, a 7.6% lead. The smallest win is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the Xeon scores 503 and the Core i7 scores 475, a 5.9% lead. The other four benchmarks all fall in a narrow band between 5.9% and 6.1%: R20 multi-core (2099 vs 1981, 6% lead), R20 single-core (296 vs 279, 6.1% lead), R23 multi-core (4999 vs 4718, 6% lead), and R23 single-core (705 vs 666, 5.9% lead).

These results indicate that the Xeon's advantage is consistent across different Cinebench versions, which is a reliable indicator of sustained performance in both multi-threaded and single-threaded tasks. When looking at the average benchmark scores, the Xeon's 1446 average is just above the Core i7's 1421. The Xeon's nearest rivals are the AMD Opteron 6378 (avg 1447, -0.1%), the AMD Ryzen 3 2200GE (avg 1444, +0.1%), the Intel Core i5-7300HQ (avg 1448, -0.1%), and the AMD Ryzen 5 2400G (avg 1439, +0.5%). The Core i7's nearest rivals are the Intel Xeon Bronze 3106 (avg 1422, -0.1%), the AMD Opteron 4274 HE (avg 1420, +0.1%), the Intel Core i7-2700K (avg 1419, +0.2%), and the Intel Core i7-3820 (avg 1424, -0.2%). This data suggests the Xeon is in a slightly higher performance tier than the Core i7.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most benchmarks?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 wins all six head-to-head benchmarks. The Intel Core i7-7200QM has zero wins.

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

A: The largest gap is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Xeon scores 71 and the Core i7 scores 66, a 7.6% difference.

Q: Are there any tests where the Core i7 performs better?

A: No. The Core i7 loses every head-to-head test in the database. Its only recorded tests are the Geekbench scores, which are not directly compared to the Xeon.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Xeon has an average benchmark score of 1446, while the Core i7 has an average of 1421. The Xeon is also ranked in the 38th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core i7 is in the 37th percentile.

Q: Does the Core i7 have a higher clock speed?

A: Yes, the Core i7 has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz, while the Xeon has a base of 2.00 GHz and a boost of 2.80 GHz. However, the Xeon still wins all benchmarks.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the Xeon E5-1505L v5 has ECC memory support. The Core i7 does not.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures. The Xeon E5-1505L v5 is based on the Skylake-H microarchitecture, also known as Skylake, and uses a 14 nm process node manufactured by Intel. It has 2,300 million transistors on a 122 mm² die. The Core i7-7200QM is based on the Ivy Bridge architecture and uses a 22 nm process node. It has 1,400 million transistors on a larger 160 mm² die. The newer 14nm process gives the Xeon an efficiency advantage, which is reflected in its lower 25W TDP compared to the Core i7's 45W TDP.

The cache configurations also differ. The Xeon has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Core i7 has 6 MB. Both have the same L1 cache (64 KB) and L2 cache (256 KB) per core. The larger L3 cache on the Xeon likely contributes to its performance lead in the benchmarks. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, a server and workstation feature, while the Core i7 does not. The Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the Core i7's memory support is not listed.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on several key specifications. The Xeon has a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 2.80 GHz, while the Core i7 has higher base clocks of 2.60 GHz and a boost of 3.60 GHz. The Xeon has a TDP of 25W, while the Core i7 has a TDP of 45W. The sockets are different: the Xeon uses Intel BGA 1440, the Core i7 uses Intel BGA 1224. The Xeon is a 14nm part, the Core i7 is a 22nm part. The Xeon has more transistors (2,300 million vs 1,400 million) but a smaller die (122 mm² vs 160 mm²). The Xeon has more L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB). The Xeon supports ECC memory, the Core i7 does not. The Xeon has HD Graphics P530, the Core i7 has Intel HD 4000. The Xeon is marked as a Server/Workstation part, while the Core i7 is a Mobile part. The Xeon was released on 2015-10-26, while the Core i7 was released on 2012-04-28.