Intel Core i7-4558U vs Intel Xeon E5620 Comparison

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Xeon E5620 wins all recorded multi-core tests. It scores 301 versus 255 in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 1255 versus 1063 in Cinebench R20 multi-core, and 2989 versus 2532 in Cinebench R23 multi-core.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-4558U win any benchmark in the head-to-head comparison?

A: No. The database records zero wins for the Core i7-4558U across all five head-to-head tests. The Xeon E5620 leads by 15.3% to 15.8% in every case.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Core i7-4558U has a boost clock of 3.30 GHz, while the Xeon E5620 boosts to 2.67 GHz. The Core i7 also has a higher base clock at 2.80 GHz versus 2.40 GHz.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Xeon E5620 supports ECC memory, while the Core i7-4558U does not. Both support DDR3 memory, but the Xeon uses a triple-channel memory bus.

Q: Which processor includes integrated graphics?

A: The Core i7-4558U includes Intel HD 5100 integrated graphics. The Xeon E5620 has no integrated graphics, which is typical for its server/workstation market segment.

Q: How do these processors compare in overall database percentile ranking?

A: Both processors sit at the 28th percentile among all CPUs. Their average benchmark scores are close: 1038 for the Core i7-4558U and 1029 for the Xeon E5620.

Architecture Differences

The Core i7-4558U and Xeon E5620 represent two very different Intel design philosophies. The Core i7-4558U is a Haswell-ULT mobile processor built for thin laptops. It uses a 22 nm process node with 1,300 million transistors on a 118 mm² die. The Xeon E5620 is a Westmere-EP server chip built on an older 32 nm process with 1,170 million transistors spread across a much larger 239 mm² die.

Core count separates them clearly. The Core i7-4558U has 2 cores and 4 threads. The Xeon E5620 doubles that with 4 cores and 8 threads. This is the fundamental reason the Xeon pulls ahead in multi-threaded benchmarks despite its lower clock speeds.

Cache layouts differ substantially. Both share 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, but the Xeon packs 12 MB of shared L3 cache versus only 4 MB on the Core i7. That threefold L3 advantage helps the Xeon in workloads that repeatedly access large working sets.

The platform targets diverge completely. The Core i7-4558U uses the Intel BGA 1168 socket and belongs to the mobile market segment. The Xeon E5620 uses Intel Socket 1366 and is classified as a server/workstation part. The Xeon is also marked as end-of-life production status, while the Core i7 has no such designation in the database.

Memory architecture adds another distinction. Both support DDR3, but the Xeon E5620 features a triple-channel memory bus, a hallmark of server platforms. The Core i7-4558U has no memory bus field recorded. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, which the Core i7 does not. The Xeon further includes PCIe Gen 2 support, while no PCIe generation is listed for the Core i7.

Power envelopes tell the platform story. The Core i7-4558U sips power at a 28 W TDP, fitting for a mobile processor. The Xeon E5620 draws 80 W, reflecting its server heritage and larger core count. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking headroom is not part of their design.

Release timing differs by about three years. The Xeon E5620 launched on 2010-03-15, while the Core i7-4558U appeared on 2013-06-03. This generational gap explains the process node advantage for the Core i7, though the Xeon's extra cores and cache compensate in throughput tests.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a consistent and decisive victory for the Xeon E5620 across every benchmark test. The closest margin appears in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the Xeon leads by 15.8%. The other four tests cluster tightly at 15.3% to 15.4% margins.

Cinebench R15 multi-core opens the comparison. The Xeon E5620 scores 301 against the Core i7-4558U's 255, a 15.3% gap. This test reflects the Xeon's core and thread advantage, as rendering workloads scale well with additional execution resources.

Cinebench R20 multi-core repeats the pattern with 1255 for the Xeon and 1063 for the Core i7, again a 15.3% difference. The newer R20 test places heavier demands on sustained throughput, and the Xeon's 12 MB L3 cache helps maintain performance under load.

Single-core results tell a more surprising story. The Xeon E5620 wins Cinebench R20 single-core with 177 versus 149, a 15.8% margin. It also wins Cinebench R23 single-core with 422 versus 357, a 15.4% margin. The Core i7's higher 3.30 GHz boost clock cannot overcome the Xeon's architectural efficiency in these tests.

Cinebench R23 multi-core shows the largest absolute score difference. The Xeon reaches 2989, while the Core i7 manages 2532. The 457-point gap mirrors the 15.3% margin seen elsewhere. Across all five tests, the Xeon's victory margin never drops below 15.3%, indicating a consistent performance tier separation.

The average benchmark scores in the database reinforce this picture. The Core i7-4558U averages 1038, and the Xeon E5620 averages 1029. These averages sit within 0.9% of each other, yet the head-to-head tests show a clear Xeon advantage. The discrepancy arises because the average includes different test mixes, while the head-to-head uses identical workloads.

Interestingly, both processors occupy the same 28th percentile among all CPUs. Their nearest rivals also cluster around similar average scores. The Core i7-4558U competes with the AMD A8-7680 at 1036 (0.2% delta), the AMD A10-7890K at 1035 (0.3%), the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U at 1041 (-0.3%), and the AMD A10-9700 at 1034 (0.4%). The Xeon E5620 sits near the AMD Ryzen Embedded V1202B at 1027 (0.2%), the Intel Pentium G4560 at 1031 (-0.2%), the Intel Core i7-5650U at 1027 (0.2%), and the Intel Core i3-4340 at 1026 (0.3%).

Specification Differences

The specification table below highlights only the fields where the two processors differ.

| Specification | Intel Core i7-4558U | Intel Xeon E5620 |

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

| Cores | 2 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.80 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.30 GHz | 2.67 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 80 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1168 | Intel Socket 1366 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Westmere |

| Codename | Haswell-ULT | Westmere-EP |

| Generation | Core i7 (Haswell) | Xeon (Westmere-EP) |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 32 nm |

| Transistors | 1,300 million | 1,170 million |

| Die Size | 118 mm² | 239 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Not recorded | Triple-channel |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Not recorded | Gen 2 |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 5100 | None |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Server/Workstation |

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

| Release Date | 2013-06-03 | 2010-03-15 |

| Part Number | SR188 | SLBV4 |

Both processors share 64 KB L1 cache per core, 256 KB L2 cache per core, DDR3 memory support, and a locked multiplier. Neither has a recorded launch MSRP.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear choice for threaded workloads. The Xeon E5620 wins every recorded head-to-head benchmark, with margins between 15.3% and 15.8%. Its 4 cores, 8 threads, and 12 MB L3 cache deliver consistent advantages in multi-threaded rendering tests. The Core i7-4558U never wins a single comparison.

The Core i7-4558U does hold advantages in specific areas that matter for mobile use. Its 28 W TDP makes it suitable for thin laptops, while the Xeon's 80 W TDP demands a desktop or server platform. The Core i7's 22 nm process and 3.30 GHz boost clock represent newer technology, yet these advantages do not translate into benchmark wins.

The Xeon E5620 offers ECC memory support and a triple-channel memory bus, features absent from the Core i7. These server-oriented capabilities matter for reliability-focused workloads. The Xeon also provides PCIe Gen 2 support, while no such specification is recorded for the Core i7.

For users choosing between these two, the decision hinges on platform requirements rather than raw performance. The Xeon E5620 is the faster processor in every measured test, but it requires a Socket 1366 motherboard and consumes nearly three times the power. The Core i7-4558U is a mobile part with integrated graphics, fitting for compact systems where power efficiency takes priority.

The database shows both processors at the 28th percentile overall, suggesting they occupy similar tiers in the broader CPU landscape. Their average scores are nearly identical, but the head-to-head results favor the Xeon in every workload tested. There is no benchmark in the recorded data where the Core i7-4558U outperforms the Xeon E5620.

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon E5620 wins in every scenario involving the recorded benchmarks. Multi-core rendering favors it by 15.3% in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. Single-core rendering also favors it by 15.4% to 15.8% in Cinebench R20 and R23. Any workload that resembles these rendering tests will see the Xeon pull ahead by roughly 15%.

The Core i7-4558U wins in platform flexibility for mobile systems. Its 28 W TDP and integrated Intel HD 5100 graphics make it the only viable choice for thin laptops without discrete graphics. The BGA 1168 socket indicates a soldered mobile design, while the Xeon's Socket 1366 targets server motherboards.

The Xeon E5620 wins in server and workstation environments. Its ECC memory support, triple-channel memory bus, and PCIe Gen 2 support align with enterprise requirements. The end-of-life production status does not diminish its capability in these roles, as the recorded benchmarks show sustained performance.

The Core i7-4558U wins in power-constrained applications. The 80 W TDP of the Xeon requires robust cooling and power delivery, whereas the Core i7's 28 W TDP suits compact chassis. Users prioritizing low heat output and battery life have no choice but the Core i7.

The Xeon E5620 wins in cache-heavy workloads benefit from cache-sensitive workloads. Its 12 MB L3 cache triples the Core i7's allocation, providing an advantage in repeated data access patterns. The Core i7-4558U cannot match this capacity despite its newer 22 nm process.

Final verdict from the numbers: the Xeon E5620 is the superior processor in every recorded benchmark test, and the Core i7-4558U is the appropriate choice only when its mobile form factor, integrated graphics, lower power draw, or BGA socket is a hard requirement. The head-to-head data offers no scenario where the Core i7 wins on performance alone.