Intel Core i7-3770S vs Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-3770S and the Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 are both quad-core desktop processors, but they represent different eras and design philosophies. Benchmark data shows the older i7-3770S consistently outperforms the newer Xeon across every tested workload, despite the Xeon’s architectural advantages. The i7-3770S wins all six head-to-head comparisons, with margins ranging from 2.8% to 3.7%. This outcome hinges on simultaneous multithreading (8 threads vs. 4) and a higher boost clock, which more than offset the Xeon’s newer Skylake core design.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive victories for the Intel Core i7-3770S come in multi-threaded tests, where its 8 threads provide a clear edge over the Xeon E3-1225 v5’s 4 threads. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-3770S scores 529 against the Xeon’s 510, a 3.7% lead. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multicore (2205 vs. 2127, +3.7%) and Cinebench R23 multicore (5251 vs. 5065, +3.7%). The consistency of the 3.7% delta across all three Cinebench versions indicates a stable performance advantage that scales with workload duration and intensity.

Single-core performance tells a similar, though slightly narrower, story. The i7-3770S edges ahead in Cinebench R15 single-core with 74 points versus 72 for the Xeon, a 2.8% margin. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i7-3770S scores 311 against 300, again a 3.7% delta. The Cinebench R23 single-core test shows 741 versus 715, a 3.6% advantage. These results are notable because the Xeon E3-1225 v5 operates at a higher base clock (3.30 GHz vs. 3.10 GHz) and a lower boost clock (3.70 GHz vs. 3.90 GHz). The data indicates that the i7-3770S’s 200 MHz boost advantage is sufficient to overcome the Xeon’s architectural generational lead in single-threaded tasks.

Geekbench results, available only for the i7-3770S, show a multicore score of 2220 and a single-core score of 655. While direct comparison with the Xeon is impossible due to missing data, these scores place the i7-3770S in context. Its average benchmark score of 1498 also outpaces the Xeon’s 1465, reinforcing the head-to-head results. Interestingly, both processors sit at the 38th percentile among all CPUs, meaning they occupy the same performance tier relative to the broader market, despite the i7-3770S’s consistent wins in direct tests.

The nearestRivals data further contextualizes each chip’s standing. The i7-3770S’s closest competitor is the Intel Core i3-8100T, which has an average score of 1500, a mere 0.1% difference. The Xeon E3-1225 v5’s closest rival is the Intel Core i7-4710HQ at 1473, but the Xeon trails it by 0.5%. This suggests the i7-3770S is more competitive within its peer group, while the Xeon sits slightly below its nearest comparable processors.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-3770S is the faster processor in every measured benchmark. For users prioritizing raw performance in both single-threaded and multi-threaded applications, the i7-3770S is the correct choice. The 3.7% multicore advantage and 2.8% to 3.7% single-core advantage may seem modest, but they are consistent across all Cinebench versions, indicating a reliable performance lead for the older chip.

The Xeon E3-1225 v5’s only redeeming benchmark-related feature is its 34.1 GB/s memory bandwidth, a specification the i7-3770S lacks entirely. However, this does not translate into any benchmark wins. For users who require ECC memory support, the Xeon is the only option between the two, as the i7-3770S does not support ECC. The Xeon also offers memory flexibility with DDR3 and DDR4 support, while the i7-3770S is limited to DDR3.

The Xeon’s launch MSRP is $224, a figure that should be noted for historical context, but no pricing claims can be made beyond that. For users building a new system today, the Xeon’s end-of-life production status is a concern, while the i7-3770S has no such status listed. The i7-3770S also has a lower TDP of 65 watts versus the Xeon’s 80 watts, making it more power-efficient in addition to being faster.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different generations and fabrication nodes. The Intel Core i7-3770S is built on the 22 nm Ivy Bridge architecture, while the Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 uses the 14 nm Skylake-DT process. The Xeon’s newer node packs 1,750 million transistors into a 122 mm² die, compared to the i7-3770S’s 1,400 million transistors on a 160 mm² die. This gives the Xeon a higher transistor density and potentially better power efficiency per transistor, though the i7-3770S still wins on overall TDP.

The core configurations differ significantly. The i7-3770S features 4 cores and 8 threads, leveraging Hyper-Threading technology. The Xeon E3-1225 v5 also has 4 cores but only 4 threads, lacking simultaneous multithreading. This is the primary reason for the i7-3770S’s multicore advantage. Both share the same cache hierarchy: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3 cache. The memory controllers differ, with the i7-3770S supporting dual-channel DDR3 and the Xeon supporting dual-channel DDR3 or DDR4, with the Xeon explicitly listing 34.1 GB/s bandwidth.

Integrated graphics also set them apart. The i7-3770S uses Intel HD 4000, while the Xeon E3-1225 v5 features HD Graphics P530. Both have PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The sockets are incompatible: the i7-3770S uses Intel Socket 1155, while the Xeon uses Intel Socket 1151. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not supported on either. The Xeon targets the Server/Workstation market segment, while the i7-3770S is a Desktop part.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i7-3770S wins all multi-core tests. It scores 529 vs. 510 in Cinebench R15, 2205 vs. 2127 in R20, and 5251 vs. 5065 in R23, each a 3.7% advantage over the Xeon E3-1225 v5.

Q: Does the Xeon E3-1225 v5 win any benchmark?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows 6 wins for the i7-3770S and 0 wins for the Xeon E3-1225 v5 across all tested Cinebench versions.

Q: Why does the i7-3770S outperform the Xeon despite being older?

A: The i7-3770S has 8 threads versus 4 for the Xeon, and a higher boost clock of 3.90 GHz versus 3.70 GHz. These factors outweigh the Xeon’s newer 14 nm Skylake architecture in benchmark results.

Q: Does the Xeon support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon E3-1225 v5 supports ECC memory. The i7-3770S does not support ECC memory.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of the Xeon?

A: The Xeon E3-1225 v5 has a listed memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. The i7-3770S does not have a bandwidth figure listed in the data.

Q: Are these processors compatible with the same motherboard?

A: No. The i7-3770S uses Intel Socket 1155, while the Xeon E3-1225 v5 uses Intel Socket 1151, making them physically incompatible.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-3770S wins in every benchmark category where direct comparison is possible. In single-threaded tests, it leads by 2.8% to 3.7%, making it the better choice for applications that rely on one core’s performance, such as older games or lightly threaded productivity tools. In multi-threaded tests, the 3.7% consistent lead makes it preferable for rendering, video encoding, or any workload that scales with thread count. The i7-3770S also wins on power efficiency with a 65-watt TDP versus 80 watts for the Xeon, and it has no end-of-life production status, suggesting better long-term availability.

The Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 has no benchmark wins, but it wins on features. Its ECC memory support is critical for users building a stable workstation or server where data integrity is paramount. The Xeon also supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, offering more flexible upgrade paths, and it explicitly lists 34.1 GB/s memory bandwidth. The Xeon’s HD Graphics P530 integrated GPU may offer different capabilities than the i7-3770S’s HD 4000, though no benchmark data exists to compare them. The Xeon’s newer 14 nm process and smaller 122 mm² die suggest better manufacturing efficiency, though this does not translate to benchmark wins.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The i7-3770S has 8 threads, while the Xeon E3-1225 v5 has 4 threads. Base clocks are 3.10 GHz for the i7-3770S and 3.30 GHz for the Xeon, but boost clocks favor the i7-3770S at 3.90 GHz versus 3.70 GHz. TDP is 65 watts for the i7-3770S and 80 watts for the Xeon. The i7-3770S uses Socket 1155, while the Xeon uses Socket 1151. Architecture and process node differ: Ivy Bridge on 22 nm for the i7-3770S, Skylake-DT on 14 nm for the Xeon. Transistor counts are 1,400 million for the i7-3770S and 1,750 million for the Xeon, with die sizes of 160 mm² and 122 mm² respectively.

Memory support diverges: the i7-3770S only supports DDR3, while the Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4, with the Xeon listing 34.1 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory is false for the i7-3770S and true for the Xeon. Integrated graphics differ: Intel HD 4000 for the i7-3770S, HD Graphics P530 for the Xeon. The market segments differ, with the i7-3770S being a Desktop part and the Xeon a Server/Workstation part. The Xeon has an end-of-life production status, while the i7-3770S has none listed. Release dates are April 2012 for the i7-3770S and October 2015 for the Xeon. The Xeon has a launch MSRP of $224, while the i7-3770S has no listed MSRP. Both have locked multipliers and identical L1, L2, and L3 cache configurations.