Intel Core i7-3770S vs Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a consistent, narrow advantage for the Intel Core i7-3770S across every single benchmark in the comparison suite. Out of six head-to-head tests, the i7-3770S wins all six, with the Xeon E3-1505L v5 failing to secure a single victory. The margins are uniform, hovering just above 5% in most cases, which suggests a stable clock-driven gap rather than a workload-dependent architectural advantage.

In Cinebench R15, the i7-3770S scores 529 points in multi-core against 503 for the Xeon, a delta of 5.2%. The single-core test shows 74 versus 71, a 4.2% lead. These are modest but real differences, and they repeat in newer Cinebench versions. In R20 multi-core, the i7-3770S posts 2205 versus 2099, a 5.1% delta. The single-core result is 311 versus 296, again 5.1%. The pattern holds in R23: multi-core 5251 versus 4999 (5% delta) and single-core 741 versus 705 (5.1% delta).

What stands out in these numbers is the consistency. The i7-3770S is not winning because of a burst of performance in one specific scenario; it is winning by nearly the same percentage across three generations of Cinebench, both in multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads. This indicates a fundamental throughput advantage that scales with the CPU's operating frequency rather than with cache behavior or instruction set efficiency.

The average benchmark score reinforces this picture. The i7-3770S sits at 1498 in the database, while the Xeon E3-1505L v5 scores 1446. That is a 3.6% gap in the aggregate, slightly smaller than the Cinebench deltas but still firmly in favor of the desktop part. Both CPUs land in the 38th percentile of all CPUs, meaning they are statistically indistinguishable in overall placement, yet the i7-3770S consistently edges ahead in the direct comparisons.

The nearest rivals for each CPU provide context. The i7-3770S sits at 1498, with the Intel Core i3-8100T at 1500 (-0.1% delta), the Intel Core i5-4590S at 1493 (+0.4%), and the AMD Opteron 6344 at 1492 (+0.4%). The Xeon E3-1505L v5 at 1446 is bracketed by the AMD Opteron 6378 at 1447 (-0.1%), the AMD Ryzen 3 2200GE at 1444 (+0.1%), and the Intel Core i5-7300HQ at 1448 (-0.1%). The i7-3770S is essentially tied with its nearest competition, while the Xeon is similarly tied with its own set. Neither CPU is a standout in its peer group, but the i7-3770S holds a small, repeatable edge over the Xeon.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and different design philosophies. The Intel Core i7-3770S is built on the Ivy Bridge architecture, using a 22 nm process node with 1,400 million transistors on a 160 mm² die. It was released in April 2012 for the desktop segment. The Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 uses the Skylake-H architecture on a 14 nm process node, packing 2,300 million transistors into a 122 mm² die. It launched in October 2015 as a server and workstation part.

Both CPUs have 4 cores and 8 threads, so the thread count is identical. The cache hierarchy is also the same: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. That means any performance difference in the recorded benchmarks cannot be attributed to core count, thread count, or cache capacity. The differences lie elsewhere.

The clock speeds tell a clear story. The i7-3770S has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz. The Xeon E3-1505L v5 runs at a base of 2000.00 MHz (2.00 GHz) and boosts to 2.80 GHz. That is a substantial frequency gap: the i7-3770S starts 1.1 GHz higher and boosts 1.1 GHz higher. The benchmark results align almost perfectly with this frequency difference, as the i7-3770S wins every test by roughly 5%, which is consistent with its higher sustained and peak clocks.

Power consumption is the major differentiator. The i7-3770S has a TDP of 65 watts, while the Xeon E3-1505L v5 is rated at just 25 watts. This is a 40-watt gap, making the Xeon substantially more power-efficient per unit of performance. The Xeon's lower clock speeds are clearly a trade-off for its drastically reduced power envelope, which is typical for a low-power server or embedded-class part.

Memory support also differs. The i7-3770S supports DDR3 memory only, with a dual-channel bus. The Xeon E3-1505L v5 supports both DDR3 and DDR4, also dual-channel, and the database records a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s for the Xeon. The i7-3770S has no recorded memory bandwidth figure. ECC memory is another split: the Xeon supports ECC, while the i7-3770S does not. This makes the Xeon a candidate for systems requiring error-correcting memory, though the i7-3770S has no such capability.

The sockets are incompatible. The i7-3770S uses Intel Socket 1155, while the Xeon E3-1505L v5 uses Intel BGA 1440. The BGA socket means the Xeon is soldered to the board, not upgradeable in a traditional sense. Both CPUs offer PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, so expansion capability is equivalent on paper.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The i7-3770S carries Intel HD 4000, while the Xeon E3-1505L v5 has HD Graphics P530. Neither is a gaming-grade solution, but they are present for basic display output. The Xeon's production status is listed as end-of-life, while the i7-3770S has no production status recorded, suggesting it may still be considered a legacy but available part.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-3770S wins in every measured performance benchmark. Its higher base and boost clocks give it a clear edge in both single-threaded and multi-threaded Cinebench tests. For workloads that are latency-sensitive or frequency-bound, such as older games, lightly threaded applications, or tasks that rely on a single core, the i7-3770S is the stronger choice. The 3.90 GHz boost clock is substantially higher than the Xeon's 2.80 GHz, and this shows in the single-core scores: 74 versus 71 in R15, 311 versus 296 in R20, and 741 versus 705 in R23. The i7-3770S is also ahead in multi-core by roughly 5% across the board, so it wins in fully threaded workloads too.

The Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 does not win any benchmark in the comparison, but it has structural advantages that matter outside raw performance. Its 25-watt TDP is less than half the i7-3770S's 65-watt rating. In a thermally constrained chassis or a system running continuously under load, the Xeon will generate far less heat and require less cooling. The database records that the Xeon supports ECC memory, which is critical for data integrity in servers, workstations, or long-running compute tasks where a memory error could corrupt results. The i7-3770S has no ECC support.

The Xeon also supports DDR4 memory in addition to DDR3, giving it a path to newer memory platforms. The recorded memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s for the Xeon suggests it can move data faster than the i7-3770S, though the i7-3770S has no bandwidth figure recorded for direct comparison. The Xeon's Skylake architecture is two generations newer than Ivy Bridge, which brings a more modern instruction set and better IPC per clock in theory, but the database does not contain separate IPC measurements, and the benchmark results show the i7-3770S winning despite the architectural age gap.

For a user prioritizing raw speed in a desktop context, the i7-3770S is the clear winner. For a user prioritizing power efficiency, ECC memory support, or a soldered, low-maintenance embedded form factor, the Xeon E3-1505L v5 offers capabilities the i7-3770S cannot match. The Xeon's launch MSRP was $433, but that figure is historical and not comparable to the i7-3770S, which has no recorded launch price.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Core i7-3770S wins all multi-core tests. It scores 529 versus 503 in Cinebench R15, 2205 versus 2099 in R20, and 5251 versus 4999 in R23, a consistent 5% lead.

Q: Which CPU is faster in single-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Core i7-3770S wins all single-core tests as well. The margins are 74 versus 71 in R15, 311 versus 296 in R20, and 741 versus 705 in R23, all around 5%.

Q: Do both CPUs have the same core and thread count?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 8 threads. They also share the same cache layout: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3.

Q: Can the Xeon E3-1505L v5 use ECC memory?

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

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The i7-3770S has a TDP of 65 watts, while the Xeon E3-1505L v5 has a TDP of 25 watts. The Xeon draws less than half the power.

Q: Are these CPUs socket-compatible?

A: No. The i7-3770S uses Intel Socket 1155, while the Xeon E3-1505L v5 uses Intel BGA 1440, which is a soldered board mount.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-3770S | Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 |

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

| Base Clock | 3.10 GHz | 2000.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.90 GHz | 2.80 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 25 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1155 | Intel BGA 1440 |

| Architecture | Ivy Bridge | Skylake |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 14 nm |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | 2,300 million |

| Die Size | 160 mm² | 122 mm² |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR3, DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 34.1 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4000 | HD Graphics P530 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Production Status | Not recorded | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2012-04-28 | 2015-10-26 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $433 |

| Part Number | SR0PN | SR2E0 |